On Sun, 22 Sep 2019 16:26:21 -0700 Michael Barnes <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Sun, Sep 22, 2019 at 10:34 AM <[email protected]> wrote: > > > Homeless are people first and foremost and deserving of respect > > as such despite their lack of an address to call home. > > > > > Respect is earned, not deserved. As I look around and see the various > homeless folks camping under bridges, in parks, blocking bike paths, > etc. I see nothing but disgusting garbage heaps. I see a huge > mish-mash of tarps and tents, grocery carts, bicycle parts, bags and > trash strewn everywhere. This is not a sight that commands respect, > rather contempt. I understand homelessness, I have been homeless > myself a few times over the years. But I retained the self respect to > remain clean, neat, and orderly. Regardless of the circumstances, > there is absolutely zero excuse for these trash piles. As long as > these people seem intent on creating these situations, they will > continue to be turned away and locked out. It is unfortunate the > result impacts innocent users, but I understand PSU's position. They > simply don't have the resources to constantly clean up after these > abusers. > > Michael > _______________________________________________ > PLUG mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug McMinnville had a homeless problem too. We put up with people parking their cars on curbs and people living in the park because we understood that happens and the situation these people must be in. However, the hospitality stopped as soon as some of those people started leaving garbage on the streets polluting the place. Harassing passerbys with slurs and taunts, and bike theft going through the roof. McMinnville cares a lot about maintaining our community. So much so we have volunteers that go around after major tourist events making sure to pick up and properly dispose of/recycle anything that missed the bin. When that happens it's not just a matter of being uncomfortable, but believe me it did make people uncomfortable. So much in fact so that people who walked to work would purposefully detour their routes around the camps for fear of being harassed or walking through filth. It's a matter of the filth of reducing business for local shops. Now don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with being homeless, but as soon as you start disrespecting our city and people you not just being homeless. Your littering and causing a disturbance. That is the point in which police come and tell you you have to leave. And let me tell you just how bad it got before something was done. There was a van that was FILLED to the brim with garbage, old wrappers, rusty (potentially stolen bike parts), and the surrounded area was covered in nasty forgotten soggy shirts and the like. Every other dumpster block and shrubbery was planted with bike parts. The parking garage become a hotbed for drug deals and become so dangerous the bus removed that stop from their route for safety concerns. Places don't start amping up security just because homeless people are there. It's when people start disrespecting the space countermeasures are put in place. I understand the college's decision to tighten security. yeah it sucks but I am sure it was a necessary measure. _______________________________________________ PLUG mailing list [email protected] http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
