Metro Jacksonville

Jacksonville by Neighborhood => Downtown => Topic started by: Non-RedNeck Westsider on June 08, 2014, 03:01:34 PM

Title: New Upgrades for La Cena?
Post by: Non-RedNeck Westsider on June 08, 2014, 03:01:34 PM
Quotehttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jun/07/anti-homeless-studs-london-block-uproar?CMP=fb_gu

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bpd5WxKIgAE5c-j.jpg)

Metal studs have been installed outside a block of flats in central London to deter rough sleepers.

The installation of the studs outside the flats on Southwark Bridge Road provoked widespread condemnation on Twitter with users claiming homeless people were being treated like vermin because similar metal spikes are used to deter pigeons.

Residents told the Telegraph that the studs were installed outside the flats in the last month to prevent homeless people from sleeping in the doorway.

A woman who lives in the block told the newspaper: "There was a homeless man asleep there about six weeks ago. Then about two weeks ago all of a sudden studs were put up outside. I presume it is to deter homeless people from sleeping there."

A couple, who also asked to remain anonymous, added: "It's because of the homeless. The spikes have only been there very recently, less than a month."

Andrew Horton, 33, of Woking, Surrey, took the picture of the inch-long studs in as he walked to work on Wednesday. The photograph has since been widely shared on Twitter, provoking outrage.

Other Twitter users also posted a photograph of similar studs outside a Tesco in Regent Street.

David Wells said on Twitter: "These anti-homeless studs are like the spikes they use to keep pigeons off buildings. The destitute now considered vermin [sic].

Homelessness charities said metal studs had been used to deter rough sleepers for more than a decade.

Katharine Sacks-Jones, head of policy and campaigns at Crisis, said: "This is happening in a context where rough sleeping has gone up massively. Over the last three years rough sleeping has risen by 36% nationally and by 75% in London. More than 6,400 people slept rough in London last year."

"The reason for that increase is the continuing economic downturn, the housing shortage, and cuts to benefits, particularly housing benefit."

Title: Re: New Upgrades for La Cena?
Post by: ronchamblin on June 08, 2014, 06:18:04 PM
Of course, the Laura Street entrance to the Elk's building innards is located about twenty feet south of the La Cena entrance.  But several times, I've seen what appeared to be drunks, curled up, sleeping in the entrance, which looks like the photo shown.

Drunks are part of life all over the world.  They make us upright gentlemen feel better about ourselves.  We would never find ourselves drunk in an entryway.  If we do find ourselves being the occasional drunk, it would be only in our house, the house of a friend, or perhaps in a hotel ... or, if caught driving drunk, in a cell.

Once, on a very cold night, I saw a fellow curled up in a blanket in that entryway.  Given the cold, I suspect he was perhaps a guy not necessarily drunk, but only without a home. 

Occasionally curious to discover why some people are without homes, why they are sleeping on the street, I find myself wanting to talk with them so as to discover why.  I suspect that each, those having sufficient brains left, have unique stories to tell.  I suspect that some of the stories of these homeless, transients, bums, and crazies, would, if gathered creatively in a book, provide interesting insights into this little underworld we only observe ... we ... the upright, normal, persons, who move about, working and living in the downtown of our city.
Title: Re: New Upgrades for La Cena?
Post by: I-10east on June 08, 2014, 06:30:05 PM
Oh boy, the longstanding feud between the free spirit hippie minds vs the businessmen in 3...2...1...
Title: Re: New Upgrades for La Cena?
Post by: ronchamblin on June 08, 2014, 07:36:35 PM
Quote from: I-10east on June 08, 2014, 06:30:05 PM
Oh boy, the longstanding feud between the free spirit hippie minds vs the businessmen in 3...2...1...

Okay ... I am mentally slow today... again.  I have no idea what you are trying to convey.  Why don't you try to convey to me the substance of your post.   
Title: Re: New Upgrades for La Cena?
Post by: IrvAdams on June 08, 2014, 09:10:30 PM
"Rough sleepers". Interesting term. I wonder if the problem is worse there (England) than here. And the public perception and treatment.
Title: Re: New Upgrades for La Cena?
Post by: ronchamblin on June 08, 2014, 10:40:03 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fC4gYM9jm8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42x5ktMGy5U

Rough Sleeper at La Cena's neighboring entrance on Laura Street.


Title: Re: New Upgrades for La Cena?
Post by: I-10east on June 08, 2014, 10:50:16 PM
Quote from: ronchamblin on June 08, 2014, 07:36:35 PM
Okay ... I am mentally slow today... again.  I have no idea what you are trying to convey.  Why don't you try to convey to me the substance of your post.

My bad, I misunderstood. The combo of me being bored, and being discharged from a hospital two days ago after a long week, I'm blaming it on that. :)