Greensboro's Homeless Problem
Since I have no real answer to Greensboro's homeless problem I would normally behave like anyone else and keep quiet and pretend it didn't exist, however more and more the problem is being forcibly driven into my life and it is time for me to speak out.
I am at the downtown YWCA three nights a week teaching fencing. Each night upwards of 20 students, parents, and coaches wander out of the Y into the night at 9pm. It used to be that we could stand in the parking lot and talk, then we started getting panhandled in the parking lot. Now we have to have a plan of where to meet in advance make sure that each fencer has been picked up and is gone before we scamper to our vehicles and go quickly to avoid the sob story.
Recently even this is not enough. The other night a parent with a fencer was walking out to their vehicle and they were ambushed by a homeless person. This was bad enough. It gets worse. The parent said, "No, I am not going to give you anything, and I think you had better look behind you." And here's where I feel a tear of pride comming on. My little fencer had flanked him silently and flawlessly and was waiting saber in hand in a perfect enguard position. The homeless guy gets the "Animie eyes" and suddenly remembers he has an important appointment someplace else. My kids rule.
The thing that makes my butt clench is what if this had gone another way. What if the homeless dude chose not to flee but to attack. We've got a 12 year old with a piece of sporting goods suddenly being set upon by one of America's Forgotten Citizens. Its a no win senerio. My fencer is quick enough to scamper away and whip the bejezus out of the modern day oliver twist. This is bad as now my 12 year old fencer has committed assalt. But lets say that the stray cat gets the jump on junior. We have an adult assalting a child, and don't forget that proud parent is still standing there. Nothing good can come from this.
This isn't about a kid prepaired to protect his parent by the way.
This is about homeless people in Greensboro hanging around ambushing unsuspecting citizens. Lets not forget that this is the same block that contains the children's museum, the cultural arts center, the library, and Cafe Europa. So we have desprite hungry sharks swimming in a pool filled with children and families.
How long before something bad happens? How long before a purse is snatched, a car is broken into, or someone is mugged, beaten or killed?
Me, I've got no easy answer. I've got nothing but pie in the sky ideas like most dreamers. For instance, my most conservative and realistic answer is to give the homeless a job in the military. Having just written these words I can hear Bush thinking about what a novel and good idea it is while the military, and the civil liberties folks are laying golden eggs of righteous outrage.
So I am back to my question, who is going to have to be hurt first before something gets done.
I don't expect an answer.
But I sure do wish someone had one.
Comments
I don't know the answer myself, but I know the City of Greensboro's "Panhandler's Liscense" is typical of our political leadership not only in Greensboro but nationwide.
Did you know that tonight 250,000 United States Military Veterans will sleep on the street? And the numbers are getting worse instead of better. And the folks in Washington call themselves "compassionate conservatives." Over all, almost one million people are known to be on the street tonight.
As one who has lived on the street I understand how suddenly a man who has worked every day of his life can find his entire life turned upside down, but what gets me is the fact we must loose everything before one can even get a free meal, much less a roof and four drab walls. Of course I never panhandled as I was determined to die before going that far, but perhaps the panhandler is the smarter one.
Good luck with your problem, I've been on both sides and frankly I'd rather have your problem than to be homeless again. (And I know you would too.) Check out Jim Capo's site and you'll see it's about to get worse.
Posted by: Billy The Blogging Poet | April 12, 2005 11:13 PM
First, I think it is necessary to recognize that people are homeless for a variety of factors. Perhaps it is someone down on their luck and genuinely need a helping hand. Those people, who are really after help, typically want to get things done on their own anyhow. Get back up on their own two feet as it were.
Then there are people who don't want to be helped. They like the lifestyle of being homeless and get whatever they need from panhandling or shelters.
Then there are people who are on the streets because of some affliction that prevents them from having a normal lifestyle. Drugs, alchohol, mental illness. There was a cop at UNCG who befriended one of the Tate St homeless. He was a war veteran. He received a check each month from the government. Each month he spent the entire check at the ABC store (and usually passed out what he didn't drink to his friends).
The cop took it upon himself to take him to the VA, bought him some clothes, took him to his own house to let him shower and then helped check him into the VA rehab clinic.
One week later he was on the street again. Who's fault is it that he's homeless? The government? The cops? You? Me? What more can you do for this person?
Wait until he wants to change and then provide whatever means are necessary to do so. Until that time, get him off the street so that kids and parents can be safe.
Posted by: Ike | April 13, 2005 1:13 AM
Nice thread on this issue. We must care for our homeless brothers and sisters. There really are no easy answers.
As someone who has volunteered to help on this issue, and has done emergency assistance for years, I still have no real answers, but to keep trying and loving.
The situation at the Y is dangerous, proper precaution should be taken.
Posted by: David Cox | April 13, 2005 11:55 AM
One problem is that these people move from place to place within the city. If the police or merchants run them off from one area, they just find another. One answer is never give them cash. They tend to stay in an area that is profitable. I operated a small business on Elm Street for several years. I believe that most of these beggars are harmless, except for the annoyance that they cause. Some are not even homeless, they just come out for some extra cash. - We have several answers for those asking for handouts if just saying "not today" or ignoring them is not enough. One is "Do you have a license from the city? Do you know that you can be arrested if you do not?" - Another is to direct them to Urban Ministry on Lee Street or the Salvation Army, where they can be fed and/or housed. -Since there is a detachment of police stationed at The Depot on Church and Washington streets to patrol the downtown area, a call to 911 before you dismiss your class should bring a police officer to the area quickly, or you can call 373-2222. -Hope this helps some. - downtowndiane
Posted by: diane | April 13, 2005 2:54 PM
Yes, diane is so correct. Give nothing. This will only make the problem worse. More panhandlers will come. Some WILL threaten! The more you have, the more likely that one of the dangerous ones will be there.
Businesses lose customers to these gatherings. It is not the threat factor, but the POSSIBLE threat, as well as the incessant harrassment, that drives that income away. Small businesses have enough obstacles in this town, already, without this problem.
This is a particular problem near college campuses. The kids just do not see the harm in giving a little change, especially if someone "just wants to buy a drink". It is good to see the merchants on Tate St. finally wised up, and encourage patrons to "just say no" to panhandlers. It was impossible to avoid them when I was at school, there, and in years since. I am now working just beside the campus, and have had some problems with panhandlers. After an incident involving a homeless, some pilfered beer, and a knife, I went "zero-tolerance" on the whole bunch. UNCG police are great for real problems, and are the ones to call for a quick response, but they can't do much about the panhandlers. That is a GPD call. So, for ordinary panhandling, it is up to me to run them off. Or wait a while for priority calls to get a response before mine. I have problems with homeless using my restrooms as showers and sleep facilities. Some steal the keys. Some practice a little B&E. I've got some ideas on solving this problem, but anything I can do can be undone- or broken.
I'm referring to only the problematic homeless, here. Many work to get out of their situation. Many take advantage of options for shelter and work that are available. But many do not. And these are the ones that we need to find some sort of WELL-PLANNED solution for. No BS ordinance or license this time. A solution.
Just GIVE NOTHING! And tell everyone to do the same. Or your problems at the Y will only increase. And a police presence after the next class or two should help deter future encounters.
Posted by: David Brown | April 17, 2005 3:55 AM