call the police (non-emergency) or am i over-reacting? (and possibly paranoid)

[Anonymous]

OP here: let me be very clear. i am only concerned that this may be a violent person with malicious intent. beyond that, teenagers, homeless people, etc, who pose no harm do not bother me.

this is also a very nice, very large tent. a real camping tent. does not look like something a homeless person would own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What would the police offer other than a jail cell if they don't leave? LOL @ acting like they will do anything but tell them to leave and maybe point in the direction of the shelter that is probably full anf 5 miles away.

Montgomery County police have a very active community service core, and often link people with other services (and follow up). This isn't the 1970s. Police work has changed dramatically.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Homeless does not mean criminal.
Also, I've spent a lot of nights outdoors in sub-zero temperatures. The presumed homeless person is safer and more secure in a tent than in a shelter. If you can't sleep on or in your belongings in a shelter they will get stolen. Or maybe that person has a pet to care for that will get taken away if they get whisked off to a shelter. Or perhaps they are there because it is close to some day-labor they are doing and won't be able to get to their job if they are forced out. If the person has a tent and the wherewithal to set up in a location that is near people, but still slightly out of harm's way, then he/she likely has the mental capacity to keep warm without someone calling the hypothermia hotline.
There are thousands of scenarios you are not imagining due to your limited experiences. Do you care and want to make a difference? Grab a friend or two or five and drop off a clean blanket you don't use anymore. While you are at it, throw in a tube of toothpaste, a gallon of water, a couple of cans of food with pop-tops, a tub of peanut butter and a copy of the hypothermia hotline phone number. Say "early Merry Christmas/ Happy Hannukkuh" and leave. If the person is there you will have a very quick idea of whether you should place the call to 311 or not. Regardless, you've given him or her a little bit of dignity and you've dug yourself out of your own prejudice.

And before anyone jumps all over me for suggesting any of this: I was homeless on two separate occasions as a teen and have spent the past few decades quietly working with homeless people on both coasts and the southwest desert mountains.

NP here. Thank you for posting this. Everyone is entitled to their humanity and our compassion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Homeless does not mean criminal.
Also, I've spent a lot of nights outdoors in sub-zero temperatures. The presumed homeless person is safer and more secure in a tent than in a shelter. If you can't sleep on or in your belongings in a shelter they will get stolen. Or maybe that person has a pet to care for that will get taken away if they get whisked off to a shelter. Or perhaps they are there because it is close to some day-labor they are doing and won't be able to get to their job if they are forced out. If the person has a tent and the wherewithal to set up in a location that is near people, but still slightly out of harm's way, then he/she likely has the mental capacity to keep warm without someone calling the hypothermia hotline.
There are thousands of scenarios you are not imagining due to your limited experiences. Do you care and want to make a difference? Grab a friend or two or five and drop off a clean blanket you don't use anymore. While you are at it, throw in a tube of toothpaste, a gallon of water, a couple of cans of food with pop-tops, a tub of peanut butter and a copy of the hypothermia hotline phone number. Say "early Merry Christmas/ Happy Hannukkuh" and leave. If the person is there you will have a very quick idea of whether you should place the call to 311 or not. Regardless, you've given him or her a little bit of dignity and you've dug yourself out of your own prejudice.

And before anyone jumps all over me for suggesting any of this: I was homeless on two separate occasions as a teen and have spent the past few decades quietly working with homeless people on both coasts and the southwest desert mountains.

The OP specified the location. To the PP quoted above, why don't you do this?

[Anonymous]

Specify what location?