Common folk are just scared

As the cities "Blue Ribbon" committee gets going with homeless issues here in the city there are a couple of things to know. We all know there is much vandalism, drunkenness, drugs etc., but much of this is created by vandals, and not necessarily from the homeless.

The mainstay homeless folks at Enslen Park are not trouble makers although they do have their issues mainly just the arguing, fighting, and cussing that goes on. People that hate the "homeless haters" and those who are trying to help out just don't understand. Yes, these homeless "residents" are mostly harmless but that is because I see it everyday. Yes, they have every right to visit the park (all day? Maybe not, but..) because they lounge around all day, the families that come out just don't because they are afraid of these folks. If they knew that it is ok to do your family thing then maybe more family activities would happen. How are they to know? They just don't so the parks are over run by the homeless.

Having a central location for all the homeless to inhabit is not going to work, because most seclude themselves with like folk where they feel comfortable. Because of this they cannot all be hoarded to one central location. You can give these regulars the "Taj Mahal"but they are not going to go.

What was discussed at the committee meeting was the fact that so many "groups" often have feedings at area local parks. These homeless folks get fed. So maybe taking away all the feedings will eliminate the homeless. Maybe so, maybe not. If outside feedings are outlawed it will be difficult to police. There are so many of them. Maybe coordinating all of the groups is the best option, but it would be a difficult task to find all of these groups whether they are government funded groups, or the church groups (which there are so many of).