I'm just wondering if this situation might be different since it's private land and he has the permission of the property's owner. It seems to me that is still wouldn't pass muster, but I don't really know the city's occupancy laws.
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Sounds like the alderman(woman) is not going to have any of this, so I wouldn't freak out too much, but this is definitely not a good thing for the neighborhood. I love how the supposed "homeless advocate" is quoted as saying they will never get themselves housing. Phenomenal attitude to have, right? 
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You're right. I just had a city inspection give me a "major code violation" and label my home unsafe for occupancy because, wait for it... wait... the home was missing 4" high numbers on the side facing the alley. The tent city isn't going to happen.rbeedee wrote:I'm just wondering if this situation might be different since it's private land and he has the permission of the property's owner. It seems to me that is still wouldn't pass muster, but I don't really know the city's occupancy laws.
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This is a publicity stunt, nothing more.
As soon as the first tent goes up, the city will knock it down within the hour.
As soon as the first tent goes up, the city will knock it down within the hour.
Any structure built in the city must pass building codes. It does not matter who owns the land or who gave them permission. The Mayor sent a memo to the Police Dept. (and I assume others) that these structures are not to be built, and residents are encouraged to call the city on any violations. So, every time you pass the site, just call the police, CSB, NSO, Alderman or anyone else who would care.
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BREAKING..Larry Rice has been cuffed and arrested.
I kind of like the idea of people taking a plot of useless land and doing
something with it but, you know, just not THESE people.
I kind of like the idea of people taking a plot of useless land and doing
something with it but, you know, just not THESE people.
I am glad he was arrested. This charlatan does nothing to improve the lives of the homeless. How irresponsible. Having a bunch of drug addicts and the mentally disabled living on the streets is wrong. They need to be in supportive housing with health care and intervention. He uses them as pawns in his sick game. His tax exempt status should be revoked. The FBI should look into his dealings.
In a city with such cheap housing and vacancy there is no reason for any tent city!
In a city with such cheap housing and vacancy there is no reason for any tent city!
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Larry Rice is a textbook "poverty pimp" shrouding his desire for personal wealth, adoration and notoriety with God and "good intentions". Is there a part of Larry Rice's soul that wants to, you know, HELP people? Probably. Just like there is in almost all other humans (I'm an optimist).
He has characteristics and tendencies not unlike those of a cult leader or maybe a huckster preacher from 1935.
He's small-time poverty pimpin'. What's even more gross and unsavory is to see a politician or a community organizer do it. I won't mention any names....
He has characteristics and tendencies not unlike those of a cult leader or maybe a huckster preacher from 1935.
He's small-time poverty pimpin'. What's even more gross and unsavory is to see a politician or a community organizer do it. I won't mention any names....
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That picture of Larry Rice in handcuffs on STLtoday.com was just what he wanted. It's the difference between the quiet, persistent advocates for the interests of the needy, not seeking glory, recognition, or validation other than from their own desire to serve, and people like Larry, so eager to jump on a cross that he's made himself just so people can see him hanging on it, by nails that he's hammered into himself, and claim to the TV cameras that it's society's sinfulness that put him up there. "Lookit me - I'm selfless!" Truly shameful.
Funny Addendum: Was stuck in horrible traffic the other day, so I hopped off 64/40 for Vandeventer south, noticed I was about to Larry's new homeless campout, and, with my windows down, this song popped onto the stereo:
Not intentional, mind you, but I just couldn't stop laughing once it happened. Guess my iPhone is sick of Larry, too.
Funny Addendum: Was stuck in horrible traffic the other day, so I hopped off 64/40 for Vandeventer south, noticed I was about to Larry's new homeless campout, and, with my windows down, this song popped onto the stereo:
Not intentional, mind you, but I just couldn't stop laughing once it happened. Guess my iPhone is sick of Larry, too.
Charlatans like Larry Rice should get no publicity. And now I feel like one of those dolts in email storms that replies to all saying, "Please stop replying to all!"
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Larry's at it again. Going to bus his needy people out to the Galleria for a publicity stunt. This should be interesting.
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Larry should be focussing on getting these people (radical idea here folks) JOBS as bus drivers as opposed to focussing on bussing them somewhere that will cause a scene and get his name in the paper.
He clearly has no shame.
He clearly has no shame.
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Well at least I can support him in this comment:
"The time has come to reverse the county official migration policy of sending the homeless from the county to the city."
more here
http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyr ... y_rice.php
"The time has come to reverse the county official migration policy of sending the homeless from the county to the city."
more here
http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyr ... y_rice.php
That quote is the first intelligent thing I have ever heard out of Rev. Rice's mouth. I have a few very good friends who are police officers on downtown bike patrol. They are always confronting Jefferson County Police as they drop homeless at the curb at NLEC.
That still does not excuse his use of human beings as puppets in his little publicity stunts.
That still does not excuse his use of human beings as puppets in his little publicity stunts.
Photo of the situation outside the NLEC building. [At the request of Mark Groth]
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Oy vey. I will never understand how and why the city has tolerated this cancer all these years. Is it simply because Rev. Rice is a squeaky wheel that will cry foul at the slightest perception of injustice? He's not doing the homeless any favors, instead, he's prostituting them for his own personal gain. There are several charities, St. Patrick Center being the most visible, that actually help the homeless.
Rev. Rice seems to cater to those less interested in helping themselves, but there has got to be a better way to reach out to them. And at some point, this scene needs to be a thing of the past. Downtown St. Louis has come back to life on all the surrounding blocks, and I think people have tolerated Rev. Rice's presence here for too long. I agree with others, there ought to be a way in which the FBI could investigate his dealings and his operation, and his tax-exempt status should be in jeopardy. This is beyond shameful...it's a black eye for a reborn downtown...but more importantly...it's an injustice to the people that Rev. Rice is purportedly there to serve.
Rev. Rice seems to cater to those less interested in helping themselves, but there has got to be a better way to reach out to them. And at some point, this scene needs to be a thing of the past. Downtown St. Louis has come back to life on all the surrounding blocks, and I think people have tolerated Rev. Rice's presence here for too long. I agree with others, there ought to be a way in which the FBI could investigate his dealings and his operation, and his tax-exempt status should be in jeopardy. This is beyond shameful...it's a black eye for a reborn downtown...but more importantly...it's an injustice to the people that Rev. Rice is purportedly there to serve.
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A few years ago I thought the city was going to drop the hammer on Larry, but it never happened.threeonefour wrote:Oy vey. I will never understand how and why the city has tolerated this cancer all these years. Is it simply because Rev. Rice is a squeaky wheel that will cry foul at the slightest perception of injustice?
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PostCard material right there...
the count wrote:Photo of the situation outside the NLEC building. [At the request of Mark Groth]
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Does anyone know if it is illegal for a van to pull up and start passing out food on the sidewalk? Any insight would help.
This has come up before, check the Lucas Park thread. Don't they technically need a food license or something from the Health Dept?
Maybe they would fall into some part of the new Food Truck ordinances?!
Maybe they would fall into some part of the new Food Truck ordinances?!
Yes. It is illegal. NO question about it.
If you see that, you should call the non-emergency number which is (314) 231-1212.
In fact, you should call the non-emergency number whenever you see illegal activity.
If you see that, you should call the non-emergency number which is (314) 231-1212.
In fact, you should call the non-emergency number whenever you see illegal activity.
It's a political minefield though. No winning this one.StL317 wrote:Yes. It is illegal. NO question about it.
If you see that, you should call the non-emergency number which is (314) 231-1212.
In fact, you should call the non-emergency number whenever you see illegal activity.
Who is this Larry Rice guy and why does he matter? Seems like if laws are on the books, and he is violating them, those laws ought to be enforced. If other towns are bringing their homeless TO STL, that ought to not be tolerated at all. Sue them for the costs of providing services.It's a political minefield though. No winning this one
Just FYI. http://www.kmov.com/news/local/City-pro ... 88476.html
I will be curious to see what changes we see over the next few weeks.
I will be curious to see what changes we see over the next few weeks.
If it hasn't already been done, would it not make sense to write rules concerning how any temporary/homeless/transient shelter must operate, such that for instance, there may only be 10 beds in a given facility, regardless of its size, and that no homeless facility may be in proximity of 4 miles (or so) to another homeless facility? For example. Not to sound like a total dick, but a visible homeless presence is the last thing STL needs. Send them to Chesterfield.