These past years in my documentation of the homeless issue I have never at any point approached any of the "residents" at Enslen Park. I usually let my "informant" do my talking. They are all aware of my blog and I am "That guy that writes about us". The other night, the boy scouts were having their weekly get together at the, well, boy scout building at Enslen. They were outdoors doing their activities and I noticed a young fellow who made the universal "gotta go pee" gesture by holding his, uh, "area." I saw the Head Scout guy point to the bathrooms. The little guy shook his head, uh, no. Then he darted in the boy scout building where I am sure there are restrooms in there. I know why he said "No" as there were two guys laying asleep wrapped up in their sleeping bags, right next to the bathroom entrance. So, I ventured over there for the first time and awoke the guys and simply asked why they had to sleep right there as opposed to under some tree away from the activity. Man, I opened Pandora's Box. These guys got very belligerent and rude with me as I only asked a question and did not want any confrontation. The one guy who I will call "Dude" was absolutely out of line. Maybe I was out of line for asking him, but I meant no harm. I actually had to get my "informant" (who was not far from sight) to come over so I did not go after this guy for what he said. Again, I could have been in the wrong here, but I was being threatened as he "knew where I live", and "I know what you do". My "informant" would make sure that nothing were to ever happen to me or my family for my vigilance.
The word got around to the other "residents". My "informant" said that I talked to the wrong dude, being, "Dude". He is an a** and nobody cares for him and "Dude" has kind of ostracized himself from the others. I even went back to apologize and meant no ill will, but "Dude" just told me to get out of his face. The other guy was fine. What I am finding that over time I have softened a bit on these folks plight. The reason is, is that they police the park themselves. These regulars make sure that nobody rocks the boat and if they do, they need to move on. Most of these folks, other than "Dude", "get it" that if there is activity in the park being used for it's intended purposes, then the "residents" move aside and try not to be a nuisance. These people have told my "informant" that they know I am trying to be more peaceable. It is almost like we are ONE. They were not surprised by "Dude's" outburst, and they saw my point and sided with me. "Dude" has only made life even more miserable for himself.
