The Right to Camp in Bus Shelters

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up the same way, OP, but in NYC. Few on dcum care or relate to the exhausted, working poor commuting families who have to experience more exhaustion, discomfort and inconvenience because of a few people who should be in shelters. Some of my worst childhood memories are of commuting with my single mom, knowing how little protection we had.

I'm a staunch Democrat but hate this side of liberal politics. And no one cares if you say unhoused or homeless! It's a nonsense signifier designed to deflect and soothe academic egos.

I am so, so, so sorry that you had to ENDURE the homelss when you were young. That must have been so very hard.

I also hate that we are not taking care of these people. As a society, we shouldn't be pushing them around out of your very sensitive space. We should invest a hell of a lot more into programs that actually help the unhoused. And yes, how we refer to these people matters. They are human beings worthy of decency even if you can't see it.

Tell us all about these "programs" that are going to help the homeless, over and above the billions already spent on this issue?

Tell us how you want to police to kick them 20 yards down the street so you don't have to be reminded that these people exist.

I asked you first, and of course you can't answer, because you as well as anyone can see that throwing more dollars (e.g. "programs") at the homeless issue is not the solution. You just don't have a solution, so it's always more "programs." Very vague, generic term that means nothing, but I'm sure it makes you feel virtuous to support.

I never said that I want the police to kick them 20 yards down the street.

I do support the concept of mandatory day and night shelters. People do not have a right to live on city streets. If they don't have somewhere else to go, they are taken to a shelter for sleeping and another location to spend their days.

Agreed the idea of more money and more programs is spouted by people who don't know what they are talking about. There is a subset of chronic homeless people who refuse all services and choose to live on the streets. They typically have mental health issues. The pendulum has swung such that government cannot involuntarily confine them for treatment, even if their families would like them to and give permission or ask for this level of help. Laws on this vary by state. Me personally I do not think it's humane to let a person suffering from a mental health issue that involves delusions and paranoia to continue to live on the street where the delusions and paranoia that drive them to live on the streets are not treated. But it's our laws and systems that need to be evaluated not just throw more money at the problem.

Completely agree, with one comment: They typically have drug issues, not mental health issues.

What law would you like to have passed? Actually curious. And if you mandate that we put them in shelters, how do you propose we do that without additional funding?

I completely support additional funding for mandatory shelters.

When you say mandatory shelters, do you propose that we have a police force go around and round people up every morning to take them to shelters?

Yes. 100%

Pure insanity. You don't get to take people's freedom away because they offend your nose.

Oh here we go.

It's not taking away their "freedom."

If they have no where else to go, the city is taking care of them. It's also allowing other cititzens to enjoy the amenities they pay for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up the same way, OP, but in NYC. Few on dcum care or relate to the exhausted, working poor commuting families who have to experience more exhaustion, discomfort and inconvenience because of a few people who should be in shelters. Some of my worst childhood memories are of commuting with my single mom, knowing how little protection we had.

I'm a staunch Democrat but hate this side of liberal politics. And no one cares if you say unhoused or homeless! It's a nonsense signifier designed to deflect and soothe academic egos.

I am so, so, so sorry that you had to ENDURE the homelss when you were young. That must have been so very hard.

I also hate that we are not taking care of these people. As a society, we shouldn't be pushing them around out of your very sensitive space. We should invest a hell of a lot more into programs that actually help the unhoused. And yes, how we refer to these people matters. They are human beings worthy of decency even if you can't see it.

Tell us all about these "programs" that are going to help the homeless, over and above the billions already spent on this issue?

Tell us how you want to police to kick them 20 yards down the street so you don't have to be reminded that these people exist.

I asked you first, and of course you can't answer, because you as well as anyone can see that throwing more dollars (e.g. "programs") at the homeless issue is not the solution. You just don't have a solution, so it's always more "programs." Very vague, generic term that means nothing, but I'm sure it makes you feel virtuous to support.

I never said that I want the police to kick them 20 yards down the street.

I do support the concept of mandatory day and night shelters. People do not have a right to live on city streets. If they don't have somewhere else to go, they are taken to a shelter for sleeping and another location to spend their days.

Agreed the idea of more money and more programs is spouted by people who don't know what they are talking about. There is a subset of chronic homeless people who refuse all services and choose to live on the streets. They typically have mental health issues. The pendulum has swung such that government cannot involuntarily confine them for treatment, even if their families would like them to and give permission or ask for this level of help. Laws on this vary by state. Me personally I do not think it's humane to let a person suffering from a mental health issue that involves delusions and paranoia to continue to live on the street where the delusions and paranoia that drive them to live on the streets are not treated. But it's our laws and systems that need to be evaluated not just throw more money at the problem.

Completely agree, with one comment: They typically have drug issues, not mental health issues.

What law would you like to have passed? Actually curious. And if you mandate that we put them in shelters, how do you propose we do that without additional funding?

You are responding to a different comment. The above comment is saying there should be a process to do an involuntary commitment to get mental health/drug treatment when all other avenues have been tried.

There is a process. Petition the court to have them declared incompetent and have them committed.

At least in VA, if the person does not want treatment it is VERY difficult to do this. Not as easy breezy as you are making it sound. Laws vary by state.

And it shouldn't be easy to take away someone's freedom. JFC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up the same way, OP, but in NYC. Few on dcum care or relate to the exhausted, working poor commuting families who have to experience more exhaustion, discomfort and inconvenience because of a few people who should be in shelters. Some of my worst childhood memories are of commuting with my single mom, knowing how little protection we had.

I'm a staunch Democrat but hate this side of liberal politics. And no one cares if you say unhoused or homeless! It's a nonsense signifier designed to deflect and soothe academic egos.

I am so, so, so sorry that you had to ENDURE the homelss when you were young. That must have been so very hard.

I also hate that we are not taking care of these people. As a society, we shouldn't be pushing them around out of your very sensitive space. We should invest a hell of a lot more into programs that actually help the unhoused. And yes, how we refer to these people matters. They are human beings worthy of decency even if you can't see it.

Tell us all about these "programs" that are going to help the homeless, over and above the billions already spent on this issue?

Tell us how you want to police to kick them 20 yards down the street so you don't have to be reminded that these people exist.

I asked you first, and of course you can't answer, because you as well as anyone can see that throwing more dollars (e.g. "programs") at the homeless issue is not the solution. You just don't have a solution, so it's always more "programs." Very vague, generic term that means nothing, but I'm sure it makes you feel virtuous to support.

I never said that I want the police to kick them 20 yards down the street.

I do support the concept of mandatory day and night shelters. People do not have a right to live on city streets. If they don't have somewhere else to go, they are taken to a shelter for sleeping and another location to spend their days.

Agreed the idea of more money and more programs is spouted by people who don't know what they are talking about. There is a subset of chronic homeless people who refuse all services and choose to live on the streets. They typically have mental health issues. The pendulum has swung such that government cannot involuntarily confine them for treatment, even if their families would like them to and give permission or ask for this level of help. Laws on this vary by state. Me personally I do not think it's humane to let a person suffering from a mental health issue that involves delusions and paranoia to continue to live on the street where the delusions and paranoia that drive them to live on the streets are not treated. But it's our laws and systems that need to be evaluated not just throw more money at the problem.

Completely agree, with one comment: They typically have drug issues, not mental health issues.

What law would you like to have passed? Actually curious. And if you mandate that we put them in shelters, how do you propose we do that without additional funding?

I completely support additional funding for mandatory shelters.

When you say mandatory shelters, do you propose that we have a police force go around and round people up every morning to take them to shelters?

Yes. 100%

Pure insanity. You don't get to take people's freedom away because they offend your nose.

Oh here we go.

It's not taking away their "freedom."

If they have no where else to go, the city is taking care of them. It's also allowing other cititzens to enjoy the amenities they pay for.

Uhm, you want the police to round them up and put them in shelters. You are 100% taking away their freedom. No one is stopping you from getting on the bus and going about your business. If you can't hack it in DC go to the suburbs and drive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up the same way, OP, but in NYC. Few on dcum care or relate to the exhausted, working poor commuting families who have to experience more exhaustion, discomfort and inconvenience because of a few people who should be in shelters. Some of my worst childhood memories are of commuting with my single mom, knowing how little protection we had.

I'm a staunch Democrat but hate this side of liberal politics. And no one cares if you say unhoused or homeless! It's a nonsense signifier designed to deflect and soothe academic egos.

I am so, so, so sorry that you had to ENDURE the homelss when you were young. That must have been so very hard.

I also hate that we are not taking care of these people. As a society, we shouldn't be pushing them around out of your very sensitive space. We should invest a hell of a lot more into programs that actually help the unhoused. And yes, how we refer to these people matters. They are human beings worthy of decency even if you can't see it.

Tell us all about these "programs" that are going to help the homeless, over and above the billions already spent on this issue?

Tell us how you want to police to kick them 20 yards down the street so you don't have to be reminded that these people exist.

I asked you first, and of course you can't answer, because you as well as anyone can see that throwing more dollars (e.g. "programs") at the homeless issue is not the solution. You just don't have a solution, so it's always more "programs." Very vague, generic term that means nothing, but I'm sure it makes you feel virtuous to support.

I never said that I want the police to kick them 20 yards down the street.

I do support the concept of mandatory day and night shelters. People do not have a right to live on city streets. If they don't have somewhere else to go, they are taken to a shelter for sleeping and another location to spend their days.

Agreed the idea of more money and more programs is spouted by people who don't know what they are talking about. There is a subset of chronic homeless people who refuse all services and choose to live on the streets. They typically have mental health issues. The pendulum has swung such that government cannot involuntarily confine them for treatment, even if their families would like them to and give permission or ask for this level of help. Laws on this vary by state. Me personally I do not think it's humane to let a person suffering from a mental health issue that involves delusions and paranoia to continue to live on the street where the delusions and paranoia that drive them to live on the streets are not treated. But it's our laws and systems that need to be evaluated not just throw more money at the problem.

Completely agree, with one comment: They typically have drug issues, not mental health issues.

What law would you like to have passed? Actually curious. And if you mandate that we put them in shelters, how do you propose we do that without additional funding?

You are responding to a different comment. The above comment is saying there should be a process to do an involuntary commitment to get mental health/drug treatment when all other avenues have been tried.

There is a process. Petition the court to have them declared incompetent and have them committed.

At least in VA, if the person does not want treatment it is VERY difficult to do this. Not as easy breezy as you are making it sound. Laws vary by state.

And it shouldn't be easy to take away someone's freedom. JFC

One person's "freedom" ends where other people's rights begin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up the same way, OP, but in NYC. Few on dcum care or relate to the exhausted, working poor commuting families who have to experience more exhaustion, discomfort and inconvenience because of a few people who should be in shelters. Some of my worst childhood memories are of commuting with my single mom, knowing how little protection we had.

I'm a staunch Democrat but hate this side of liberal politics. And no one cares if you say unhoused or homeless! It's a nonsense signifier designed to deflect and soothe academic egos.

I am so, so, so sorry that you had to ENDURE the homelss when you were young. That must have been so very hard.

I also hate that we are not taking care of these people. As a society, we shouldn't be pushing them around out of your very sensitive space. We should invest a hell of a lot more into programs that actually help the unhoused. And yes, how we refer to these people matters. They are human beings worthy of decency even if you can't see it.

Tell us all about these "programs" that are going to help the homeless, over and above the billions already spent on this issue?

Tell us how you want to police to kick them 20 yards down the street so you don't have to be reminded that these people exist.

I asked you first, and of course you can't answer, because you as well as anyone can see that throwing more dollars (e.g. "programs") at the homeless issue is not the solution. You just don't have a solution, so it's always more "programs." Very vague, generic term that means nothing, but I'm sure it makes you feel virtuous to support.

I never said that I want the police to kick them 20 yards down the street.

I do support the concept of mandatory day and night shelters. People do not have a right to live on city streets. If they don't have somewhere else to go, they are taken to a shelter for sleeping and another location to spend their days.

Agreed the idea of more money and more programs is spouted by people who don't know what they are talking about. There is a subset of chronic homeless people who refuse all services and choose to live on the streets. They typically have mental health issues. The pendulum has swung such that government cannot involuntarily confine them for treatment, even if their families would like them to and give permission or ask for this level of help. Laws on this vary by state. Me personally I do not think it's humane to let a person suffering from a mental health issue that involves delusions and paranoia to continue to live on the street where the delusions and paranoia that drive them to live on the streets are not treated. But it's our laws and systems that need to be evaluated not just throw more money at the problem.

Completely agree, with one comment: They typically have drug issues, not mental health issues.

What law would you like to have passed? Actually curious. And if you mandate that we put them in shelters, how do you propose we do that without additional funding?

You are responding to a different comment. The above comment is saying there should be a process to do an involuntary commitment to get mental health/drug treatment when all other avenues have been tried.

There is a process. Petition the court to have them declared incompetent and have them committed.

At least in VA, if the person does not want treatment it is VERY difficult to do this. Not as easy breezy as you are making it sound. Laws vary by state.

And it shouldn't be easy to take away someone's freedom. JFC

One person's "freedom" ends where other people's rights begin.

Sitting on a bus bench or the library is in NO way taking your rights away. You sound deraigned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up the same way, OP, but in NYC. Few on dcum care or relate to the exhausted, working poor commuting families who have to experience more exhaustion, discomfort and inconvenience because of a few people who should be in shelters. Some of my worst childhood memories are of commuting with my single mom, knowing how little protection we had.

I'm a staunch Democrat but hate this side of liberal politics. And no one cares if you say unhoused or homeless! It's a nonsense signifier designed to deflect and soothe academic egos.

I am so, so, so sorry that you had to ENDURE the homelss when you were young. That must have been so very hard.

I also hate that we are not taking care of these people. As a society, we shouldn't be pushing them around out of your very sensitive space. We should invest a hell of a lot more into programs that actually help the unhoused. And yes, how we refer to these people matters. They are human beings worthy of decency even if you can't see it.

As someone who had a homeless man say he was going to grape my mother in front of me when I was 7, I truly wish you would shut up. I imagine you’ve lived a very sheltered life and never had to deal with this. Unlike you, this isn’t theoretical for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They don't have a lot of options and its cold. Have some empathy.

There are homeless shelters all over the city. Some choose not to stay there. Inconvenient facts, I know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have lived all of the world, Europe, Asia, America… the nice cities had parks that were clean, inviting, and safe. They had mass transit that was clean, inviting, and safe. Their libraries and public buildings were likewise clean, inviting, and safe…

It seems only in America that the general citizens of a city are the absolute lowest priority. You can’t have a nice city without mass transit and public spaces, but who in their right mind would send their child to ride the bus or play in a park alone knowing it is a literal encampment of drug addicts and the mentality ill?

This! It is a matter of public will. Many other countries value the safety and quality of life of the many over being “compassionate” to mentally ill drug addicts by letting them squat in public spaces indefinitely.

This isn’t about sitting or taking a nap at a bus shelter. This is about people literally living in them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up the same way, OP, but in NYC. Few on dcum care or relate to the exhausted, working poor commuting families who have to experience more exhaustion, discomfort and inconvenience because of a few people who should be in shelters. Some of my worst childhood memories are of commuting with my single mom, knowing how little protection we had.

I'm a staunch Democrat but hate this side of liberal politics. And no one cares if you say unhoused or homeless! It's a nonsense signifier designed to deflect and soothe academic egos.

I am so, so, so sorry that you had to ENDURE the homelss when you were young. That must have been so very hard.

I also hate that we are not taking care of these people. As a society, we shouldn't be pushing them around out of your very sensitive space. We should invest a hell of a lot more into programs that actually help the unhoused. And yes, how we refer to these people matters. They are human beings worthy of decency even if you can't see it.

Tell us all about these "programs" that are going to help the homeless, over and above the billions already spent on this issue?

Tell us how you want to police to kick them 20 yards down the street so you don't have to be reminded that these people exist.

I asked you first, and of course you can't answer, because you as well as anyone can see that throwing more dollars (e.g. "programs") at the homeless issue is not the solution. You just don't have a solution, so it's always more "programs." Very vague, generic term that means nothing, but I'm sure it makes you feel virtuous to support.

I never said that I want the police to kick them 20 yards down the street.

I do support the concept of mandatory day and night shelters. People do not have a right to live on city streets. If they don't have somewhere else to go, they are taken to a shelter for sleeping and another location to spend their days.

Agreed the idea of more money and more programs is spouted by people who don't know what they are talking about. There is a subset of chronic homeless people who refuse all services and choose to live on the streets. They typically have mental health issues. The pendulum has swung such that government cannot involuntarily confine them for treatment, even if their families would like them to and give permission or ask for this level of help. Laws on this vary by state. Me personally I do not think it's humane to let a person suffering from a mental health issue that involves delusions and paranoia to continue to live on the street where the delusions and paranoia that drive them to live on the streets are not treated. But it's our laws and systems that need to be evaluated not just throw more money at the problem.

Completely agree, with one comment: They typically have drug issues, not mental health issues.

What law would you like to have passed? Actually curious. And if you mandate that we put them in shelters, how do you propose we do that without additional funding?

I completely support additional funding for mandatory shelters.

When you say mandatory shelters, do you propose that we have a police force go around and round people up every morning to take them to shelters?

Yes. 100%

Pure insanity. You don't get to take people's freedom away because they offend your nose.

Oh here we go.

It's not taking away their "freedom."

If they have no where else to go, the city is taking care of them. It's also allowing other cititzens to enjoy the amenities they pay for.

Uhm, you want the police to round them up and put them in shelters. You are 100% taking away their freedom. No one is stopping you from getting on the bus and going about your business. If you can't hack it in DC go to the suburbs and drive.

All of sudden you’re a radical libertarian, huh? This isn’t a MAGA right / left issue. I guarantee you can’t do whatever the hell you want at bus shelters in Shanghai. This crap isn’t tolerated in Tokyo either. But for some reason people like you scream “muh freedom” only if the people you are advocating for are mentally ill or drug addicts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Police dispatcher here:
Couple different perspectives. We get calls about this all the time, probably daily/several times a week. Legally we can’t cite someone for trespassing or laying in a bus shelter because there is no “ victim” per se and they’re not breaking the law either. Also, the bus shelter falls under metro bus or ride on, not the local police.
Also, everyone films the police now, so if they go out and ask someone to move along, next thing the police are being accused of “ harassing the homeless” and it’s all over everywhere how awful the police are for harassing people.
We do go out and check on the person, they say they’re ok, they refuse services and we carry on our way.

Interesting. This "no victim" interpretation implies that I can build a house on public land and live there.

Interesting that you equate sitting on a public bus bench with building a house on public land. Are you really this stupid or is it a temporary lapse?

DP. Are you that stupid to not understand that these homeless people are "building their home" in the bus shelter, taking it over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up the same way, OP, but in NYC. Few on dcum care or relate to the exhausted, working poor commuting families who have to experience more exhaustion, discomfort and inconvenience because of a few people who should be in shelters. Some of my worst childhood memories are of commuting with my single mom, knowing how little protection we had.

I'm a staunch Democrat but hate this side of liberal politics. And no one cares if you say unhoused or homeless! It's a nonsense signifier designed to deflect and soothe academic egos.

I am so, so, so sorry that you had to ENDURE the homelss when you were young. That must have been so very hard.

I also hate that we are not taking care of these people. As a society, we shouldn't be pushing them around out of your very sensitive space. We should invest a hell of a lot more into programs that actually help the unhoused. And yes, how we refer to these people matters. They are human beings worthy of decency even if you can't see it.

Tell us all about these "programs" that are going to help the homeless, over and above the billions already spent on this issue?

Tell us how you want to police to kick them 20 yards down the street so you don't have to be reminded that these people exist.

I asked you first, and of course you can't answer, because you as well as anyone can see that throwing more dollars (e.g. "programs") at the homeless issue is not the solution. You just don't have a solution, so it's always more "programs." Very vague, generic term that means nothing, but I'm sure it makes you feel virtuous to support.

I never said that I want the police to kick them 20 yards down the street.

I do support the concept of mandatory day and night shelters. People do not have a right to live on city streets. If they don't have somewhere else to go, they are taken to a shelter for sleeping and another location to spend their days.

Agreed the idea of more money and more programs is spouted by people who don't know what they are talking about. There is a subset of chronic homeless people who refuse all services and choose to live on the streets. They typically have mental health issues. The pendulum has swung such that government cannot involuntarily confine them for treatment, even if their families would like them to and give permission or ask for this level of help. Laws on this vary by state. Me personally I do not think it's humane to let a person suffering from a mental health issue that involves delusions and paranoia to continue to live on the street where the delusions and paranoia that drive them to live on the streets are not treated. But it's our laws and systems that need to be evaluated not just throw more money at the problem.

Completely agree, with one comment: They typically have drug issues, not mental health issues.

What law would you like to have passed? Actually curious. And if you mandate that we put them in shelters, how do you propose we do that without additional funding?

I completely support additional funding for mandatory shelters.

When you say mandatory shelters, do you propose that we have a police force go around and round people up every morning to take them to shelters?

Absolutely!

But a better idea would be prison so that they think twice before doing it again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up the same way, OP, but in NYC. Few on dcum care or relate to the exhausted, working poor commuting families who have to experience more exhaustion, discomfort and inconvenience because of a few people who should be in shelters. Some of my worst childhood memories are of commuting with my single mom, knowing how little protection we had.

I'm a staunch Democrat but hate this side of liberal politics. And no one cares if you say unhoused or homeless! It's a nonsense signifier designed to deflect and soothe academic egos.

I am so, so, so sorry that you had to ENDURE the homelss when you were young. That must have been so very hard.

I also hate that we are not taking care of these people. As a society, we shouldn't be pushing them around out of your very sensitive space. We should invest a hell of a lot more into programs that actually help the unhoused. And yes, how we refer to these people matters. They are human beings worthy of decency even if you can't see it.

As someone who had a homeless man say he was going to grape my mother in front of me when I was 7, I truly wish you would shut up. I imagine you’ve lived a very sheltered life and never had to deal with this. Unlike you, this isn’t theoretical for me.

Omg you encountered a mentally ill person once in your life. However did you make it this far in life? Truly amazing.

How many times do you idiots have to be told that I live in DC and encounter the homeless every single day.

But you had the nerve to tell me I live a sheltered life 😂😂😂

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up the same way, OP, but in NYC. Few on dcum care or relate to the exhausted, working poor commuting families who have to experience more exhaustion, discomfort and inconvenience because of a few people who should be in shelters. Some of my worst childhood memories are of commuting with my single mom, knowing how little protection we had.

I'm a staunch Democrat but hate this side of liberal politics. And no one cares if you say unhoused or homeless! It's a nonsense signifier designed to deflect and soothe academic egos.

I am so, so, so sorry that you had to ENDURE the homelss when you were young. That must have been so very hard.

I also hate that we are not taking care of these people. As a society, we shouldn't be pushing them around out of your very sensitive space. We should invest a hell of a lot more into programs that actually help the unhoused. And yes, how we refer to these people matters. They are human beings worthy of decency even if you can't see it.

Tell us all about these "programs" that are going to help the homeless, over and above the billions already spent on this issue?

Tell us how you want to police to kick them 20 yards down the street so you don't have to be reminded that these people exist.

I asked you first, and of course you can't answer, because you as well as anyone can see that throwing more dollars (e.g. "programs") at the homeless issue is not the solution. You just don't have a solution, so it's always more "programs." Very vague, generic term that means nothing, but I'm sure it makes you feel virtuous to support.

I never said that I want the police to kick them 20 yards down the street.

I do support the concept of mandatory day and night shelters. People do not have a right to live on city streets. If they don't have somewhere else to go, they are taken to a shelter for sleeping and another location to spend their days.

Agreed the idea of more money and more programs is spouted by people who don't know what they are talking about. There is a subset of chronic homeless people who refuse all services and choose to live on the streets. They typically have mental health issues. The pendulum has swung such that government cannot involuntarily confine them for treatment, even if their families would like them to and give permission or ask for this level of help. Laws on this vary by state. Me personally I do not think it's humane to let a person suffering from a mental health issue that involves delusions and paranoia to continue to live on the street where the delusions and paranoia that drive them to live on the streets are not treated. But it's our laws and systems that need to be evaluated not just throw more money at the problem.

Completely agree, with one comment: They typically have drug issues, not mental health issues.

What law would you like to have passed? Actually curious. And if you mandate that we put them in shelters, how do you propose we do that without additional funding?

I completely support additional funding for mandatory shelters.

When you say mandatory shelters, do you propose that we have a police force go around and round people up every morning to take them to shelters?

Absolutely!

But a better idea would be prison so that they think twice before doing it again.

Can I vote to put you in prison for being extraordinarily stupid?

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Anonymous wrote:I grew up the same way, OP, but in NYC. Few on dcum care or relate to the exhausted, working poor commuting families who have to experience more exhaustion, discomfort and inconvenience because of a few people who should be in shelters. Some of my worst childhood memories are of commuting with my single mom, knowing how little protection we had.

I'm a staunch Democrat but hate this side of liberal politics. And no one cares if you say unhoused or homeless! It's a nonsense signifier designed to deflect and soothe academic egos.

I am so, so, so sorry that you had to ENDURE the homelss when you were young. That must have been so very hard.

I also hate that we are not taking care of these people. As a society, we shouldn't be pushing them around out of your very sensitive space. We should invest a hell of a lot more into programs that actually help the unhoused. And yes, how we refer to these people matters. They are human beings worthy of decency even if you can't see it.

Tell us all about these "programs" that are going to help the homeless, over and above the billions already spent on this issue?

Tell us how you want to police to kick them 20 yards down the street so you don't have to be reminded that these people exist.

I asked you first, and of course you can't answer, because you as well as anyone can see that throwing more dollars (e.g. "programs") at the homeless issue is not the solution. You just don't have a solution, so it's always more "programs." Very vague, generic term that means nothing, but I'm sure it makes you feel virtuous to support.

I never said that I want the police to kick them 20 yards down the street.

I do support the concept of mandatory day and night shelters. People do not have a right to live on city streets. If they don't have somewhere else to go, they are taken to a shelter for sleeping and another location to spend their days.

Agreed the idea of more money and more programs is spouted by people who don't know what they are talking about. There is a subset of chronic homeless people who refuse all services and choose to live on the streets. They typically have mental health issues. The pendulum has swung such that government cannot involuntarily confine them for treatment, even if their families would like them to and give permission or ask for this level of help. Laws on this vary by state. Me personally I do not think it's humane to let a person suffering from a mental health issue that involves delusions and paranoia to continue to live on the street where the delusions and paranoia that drive them to live on the streets are not treated. But it's our laws and systems that need to be evaluated not just throw more money at the problem.

Completely agree, with one comment: They typically have drug issues, not mental health issues.

What law would you like to have passed? Actually curious. And if you mandate that we put them in shelters, how do you propose we do that without additional funding?

I completely support additional funding for mandatory shelters.

When you say mandatory shelters, do you propose that we have a police force go around and round people up every morning to take them to shelters?

Yes. 100%

Pure insanity. You don't get to take people's freedom away because they offend your nose.

Oh here we go.

It's not taking away their "freedom."

If they have no where else to go, the city is taking care of them. It's also allowing other cititzens to enjoy the amenities they pay for.

Uhm, you want the police to round them up and put them in shelters. You are 100% taking away their freedom. No one is stopping you from getting on the bus and going about your business. If you can't hack it in DC go to the suburbs and drive.

All of sudden you’re a radical libertarian, huh? This isn’t a MAGA right / left issue. I guarantee you can’t do whatever the hell you want at bus shelters in Shanghai. This crap isn’t tolerated in Tokyo either. But for some reason people like you scream “muh freedom” only if the people you are advocating for are mentally ill or drug addicts.

All of a sudden 😂😂😂😂. Like you know the fist thing about me. If your armament is that we should be more like the communist China, then you’re too dumb to walk the same streets as me. Can we put you away too?

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Anonymous wrote:Police dispatcher here:
Couple different perspectives. We get calls about this all the time, probably daily/several times a week. Legally we can’t cite someone for trespassing or laying in a bus shelter because there is no “ victim” per se and they’re not breaking the law either. Also, the bus shelter falls under metro bus or ride on, not the local police.
Also, everyone films the police now, so if they go out and ask someone to move along, next thing the police are being accused of “ harassing the homeless” and it’s all over everywhere how awful the police are for harassing people.
We do go out and check on the person, they say they’re ok, they refuse services and we carry on our way.

Interesting. This "no victim" interpretation implies that I can build a house on public land and live there.

Interesting that you equate sitting on a public bus bench with building a house on public land. Are you really this stupid or is it a temporary lapse?

DP. Are you that stupid to not understand that these homeless people are "building their home" in the bus shelter, taking it over.

You say that I like I don’t take the bus almost daily. You’re full of shit.

I just passed a shelter on the way to the metro. It’s on Mass Ave in case you are wondering. Men line up at 4:30 to be able to get in for the night. Many of them don’t get in because when the shelter fills up that’s it. Can’t get in. I hope they are able to go to a public space tonight and not freeze to death.