Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub Lately I have been noticing a curious trend. It seems like the homeless people have organized themselves to "own" their corner for a certain segment/daily. I actually observed a younger guy yelling at a corner person to get off the corner and then yelled across the street to the person waiting that it was alright to come over now. So it seems like a mafia setup...almost. I guess they pay for protection to the younger stronger guy. Anyway I am curious if anybody pays attention to homeless people. In Kansas City they are abundant. Do street people have certain survival protocols/ownership of their corners that they work regular shifts according to weather conditions? Any other concerns or thoughts? Solutions to life would be appreciated.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo In my experience of working with them, quite often. I would be very happy to discuss issues around mental health, substance misuse, abuse, sexual behaviours, implications etc. Sadly it is on the rise, and I was shocked by how much in the US last time. But I fear to discuss it on this board as people get annoyed enough when we talk of AP behviours. But the reality is, there are commonalities and trends in behviours, and this is an area many feel uncomfortable discussing. Not me, today was spent planning how to manage the move of the youth offending support team now that we are having to move the drug clinic to the same building, and the impication on homelessness support services. Then in the afternoon the trends on increase in child abuse and cost/management implications.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub As a child in St.louis I vaguely recall corner people selling pretzels for survival money. We also had street corner vendors selling the newspapers. But times have changed for the desperate.I guess a word does not even exist to describe the depths you are witnessing.
Originally Posted By iamsally This is a topic that touches me deeply. Whereas we still have a house it is not implausible that we could end up on the street ourselves. And we are not drug addicts or mentally ill. (At least not very.) I have noticed that the beggers here seem to have *territories*. There is one on almost every street corner now. The competition must be tough. And I have seen more and more *newbies*; people who are younger and still practicing some personal hygiene. It has got to be scarey just starting out and learning your place. Some of them look terrified. I approached one woman crouched in a doorway to give her $1 and she just cried and cried. She was fairly well dressed but all alone. And it was Christmas Day. >>>>But I fear to discuss it on this board as people get annoyed enough when we talk of AP behviours.<<<< I get that Dave. It will take no time for the stories of the rich beggers driving off in their Mercedes to appear.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 traveling on a college visit last weekend- noticed how some overpasses had multiple homeless people sleeping under them- almost in organized communities in 2 major cities very very sad
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>And we are not drug addicts or mentally ill. (At least not very.)<<< Hi ruthie, I did't mean that is why they are homeless (though those are 2 causes), but once someone is homeless, these are very common features that emerge and create a very difficult cycle. Like I say, I have some pretty positive (and negative) experiences to share.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo One of the most shocking experiences of our last trip to the US, was seeing a cardboard box city in san Francisco that reminded me of my trips to Africa. It really shocked me and strengthened my resolve.
Originally Posted By ophellia I recall the many box-villages in San Diego County...a huge commumity of course...it takes a different turn in a town of 271 people, the size of my town...everyone really does know everyone...the community worked together to help a young man find a home after he was displaced...it's very different when the faceless/nameless urban thing seems to make homelessness more easily ignored?
Originally Posted By DlandDug In Portland, OR (where my mother still lives) there was a homeless man who set up housekeeping in a bus shelter. He got very territorial and difficult, even with people who tried to help him. Eventually law enforcement and the transit company called in experts to relieve the situation.
