This is a story for the Post-Dispatch. If more people knew about this I think it would really generate some serious noise. Has anyone ever seen this in the press? I haven't.
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I believe the 10 year plan was put together by the Mayor and downtown business community. Unfortunately they have no control over what other jurisdictions try to force down our throats
Well this plan did include the cooperation of St. Louis County, however Dooley does not have the power to tell Bel-Ridge, Vanita Park, etc., what to do with their homeless. Local citizens do not have control over their police, so its hard for me to believe that Dooley can.
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TGE-ATW wrote:This is a story for the Post-Dispatch. If more people knew about this I think it would really generate some serious noise. Has anyone ever seen this in the press? I haven't.
I wonder if Steve Chamraz from Channel 4 still visits the forum...
JeffCo, I would think that with all the methlabs and usage there that they'd be quite adjusted to homelessness by now.
From Mayor Slay's Blog Archives - note the bolded part:
Northwoods Reporting
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
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There is a story in today’s daily newspaper about an item that appeared in this space a week or so ago. If you missed it, MayorSlay.com — not the City website — ran an item from a reader who said that he and some friends saw the Northwoods police drop a homeless person off in downtown’s Lucas Park. Given downtown neighbors’ continuing concerns about such practices, that seemed worth reposting — and, even, worth some real reporting.
Too bad, then, that the newspaper’s reporter left some important loose ends in his story. Here’s some of what the newspaper story did not report:
Northwoods police dropped a person off at downtown’s Lucas Park just before midnight on a cold night. If he had a home or an apartment, why didn’t the police take him there?
The person was homeless — and the Northwoods police had pretty good reason to know it. The address the person gave on his arrest report was a homeless shelter.
Northwoods police apparently did not check whether the New Life Evangelistic Center or other downtown facilities were closed for the night by then. If they were closed, why didn’t Northwoods police take the person to a shelter that was open, instead of leaving him in a public park? The City of St. Louis, for instance, operates an emergency shelter at 12th and Park.
Here is the point.
Homelessness exists in the City and in the suburbs. But, far fewer services are provided in the surburbs than in the City. So, most of the people from the suburbs who don’t have a place to stay make their way to the City on their own – or, in some cases, are dumped off in the City by others.
The suburbs have to do more of their part. Until then, both well-intentioned – and less well-intentioned – people will bring homeless people to shelters – and public spaces — in the City.
If you see the practice, please report it to us. We’ll continue to pass the information along.
-RBB
^ PublicEye will have read about this on here.
In addition to Chamraz (sp?), what about the "You Paid For It" guy? I'd like to see Elliot Davis go toe to toe with these Jefferson County reps... Give em hell, Elliot!
In addition to Chamraz (sp?), what about the "You Paid For It" guy? I'd like to see Elliot Davis go toe to toe with these Jefferson County reps... Give em hell, Elliot!
This dumping "may" stop if our Beloved spiritual leader packs up and leaves.
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The dumping may continue wherever he may end up. That sucks.
Kansas City and Springfield are a little bit far for Jeffco and St. Charles to drive to make a bum dump.
Well, I just had an interesting experience. I read the report on the blog, and I quickly fired off an email to the officers listed and let them know that this is totally unacceptable. Within 5 minutes of sending that email I received a phone call from Chuck Banks asking where I got this information and that Jeff Co. has resources for homeless people and it's not their policy to drop off people at NLEC.
I couldn't tell if he was sincere or if was an attempt at damage control.
I couldn't tell if he was sincere or if was an attempt at damage control.
I know some people that sent the links and letters to the Post a few days ago, but the reporters apparently haven't responded. I guess this isn't newsworthy enough?
In my email I let them know that I walk near NLEC everyday, and from now on I'll be carrying a pen and pencil along with my camera phone. If I see a Jeff Co. officer dropping someone off, I'll be prepared to record the details.
I think that would be a good idea for anyone who walks in that neighborhood - the only way that we're going to stop the dumping is to let them know that we're watching for it and we're not going to tolerate it.
I think that would be a good idea for anyone who walks in that neighborhood - the only way that we're going to stop the dumping is to let them know that we're watching for it and we're not going to tolerate it.
I drive by twice a day. My camera is in my car............along with lots of trash. I would love to make a bust. THough we think this is bullsh*t, I wonder how many cops think that they are doing the right thing by bringing people here? I mean, it may be that they are not so much dumping people in the city to get rid of them as they are (in their minds) bringing them somewhere that they can find help?
All those county cops are doing is dumping their problem in our lap. I doubt any cop (or majority of people) truly want to help the homeless.
It could be a little of both. My issue with it is that if the municipality doesn't have the funds for their own homeless shelters and/or other resources, then the least they can do is contribute funds to the ones in the city.
I am bumping this thread up for those interested in continuing the discussion on the homeless.
To continue on a couple of my previous comments - I seem to be noticing a big increase in the numbers recently. A few years ago, I had one homeless guy (Deano) who has since moved to Florida after wintering there for a number of years.
I counted 7 guys this morning dumpster diving in the alley all in the space of about 40 minutes.
I counted 7 guys this morning dumpster diving in the alley all in the space of about 40 minutes.
Got panhandled 3 times while walking to/from lunch today. First guy when coming up from the 8th/Pine Metro station. Second guy by Downtown Cantina first asked for a light, then asked for money. Last guy was pretty agressive and cursed at me for about half a block while walking along Washington Ave by Copia.
The numbers have got to be up. Hobo Park was standing room only today.
The numbers have got to be up. Hobo Park was standing room only today.
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^ The Park is really rough - I was amazed at what I saw when I walked past there a couple Sunday's ago. It's hard to believe that something won't be done about this relatively soon. Having said that, I just returned from Boston and if anyone would really like to experience pandhandling I invite you to visit our dear city of liberty! I stayed downtown and must have been asked for money more than 30 times in two days.
Well we have to think about the dumping. The more people walking around the less likely police will attempt to do this. Given the number of eyes on the street, I think this will decrease as people move Downtown. The problem is that will this serve as a barrier? Will people see the homeless thus not want to move? Perhaps Richard Callow could copy some of Jane Jacobs text on homeless and post it on Mayor Slay?
There was a rumor of Rice moving on. Any substance to that?
Can Skyhouse make the difference (in pressuring the politicos to do something about it)?
Can Skyhouse make the difference (in pressuring the politicos to do something about it)?
What can politicians do legally? It is my understanding that the ACLU kept the City from taking police action. Pedestrian traffic, through residential, will push the homeless out of the area. That is a proximate solution for this area. Somewhat of a gentrification if you will.
Doug wrote:What can politicians do legally? It is my understanding that the ACLU kept the City from taking police action. Pedestrian traffic, through residential, will push the homeless out of the area. That is a proximate solution for this area. Somewhat of a gentrification if you will.
Sell the park. At this point Lucas Park is useless to anyone besides bums and homeless. I seriously doubt if any tax paying residents or workers get any benefit from the park, which is the whole point of parks existing.
I don't care if Lucas Park is sold and an ugly parking lot is built.