Someone has started sleeping on the sidewalk next to our house

[Anonymous]

Why does everyone in this thread think that calling the police equals sending a homeless person to jail? You do know that in DC police are trained as first contact people and know how to interface with people and the potential public agency that is required. There is a chance that if you call a nother number they will just call the police as their first contact people anyway.

About calling the3 non profit group, here is the issue. The person that is sleeping in your front yard does not want assistance for whatever reason. That does not mean they should not be offered assistance, but this city has more than enough shelter space for it homeless. However, there is always a certain percentage of homeless who simply do not want to be in a shelter for a variety of reasons. A lot of them believe it or not simply do not want to have their stuff taken from them which a lot of shelters cannot accommodate because of sanitation issues. Their is actually a lot of work being put into giving the homeless some sort of storage space to store their stuff. It looks like a room of locking supercans. It is one thing to have an old jacket thrown away, but another thing to have an old jacket with your drivers license or last pay stub thrown away.

Anyway, call the police. Have you ever spoken to a police officer? An MPD police officer? They get a LOT of training in interfacing with the unknown. Don't get your police perceptions from a few news stories.

Know that when the police arrive they are going to attempt to determine identification and the well being of the individual. Often times, because of the nature of homelessness, police will actually know the individual they are responding to. Often times a homeless person will have a card or contact on them from a shelter they may have visited before. The police will then contact the shelter and find out what the shelter knows.

One issue the city has is that there are not a lot of "day shelter" options. There are not a lot of places to roll up homeless with your stuff, get a shower and a cup of coffee and "tap into" city resources. The city has resources, but often times locating the appropriate interface is difficult or even not desired by the individual.

But back to the beginning, call the police. Friendship place is not rolling out to your front yard with a contact team to help your individual out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What would you want if you were in that situation? Have you talked to them? Asked them what they need?

I don't see how you expect them to care about what you want if you don't care about what they want. If you're approaching it from and adversarial standpoint you're just using your position of power to prioritize your needs over theirs.

Sorry, but I think this is naive, bad advice.

This person is living in front of OP's home, which means this homeless person could be watching OP's kids and family's comings and goings. I would not interact in any way. You have no idea what kind of mental and other problems this person has.

OP, please keep us posted. I agree with calling the support agency, but I, personally, would also call the police. I would want a complaint on file about this in the unfortunate event that things escalate.

So you're using this route. Got it. Just know that you're an unkind person. And if there's ever a conflict with someone in a higher position of power don't be shocked if they turn the tables on you.

An "unkind" person? Get off your high horse. How about a safe, rational person who is putting her family's needs first?

Again, don't be shocked when you get stepped on by the next person up on the ladder.

What does this even mean? Like paying 40% of gross income in federal and state tax year after year while billionaires pay nothing and even are able to have Roth IRAs with over a billion dollars? Like getting laid off from your job with no severance while the CEO gets a golden parachute? Like something like that?

Or commit crime against you or your loved ones and get away with it because they have the system rigged for them. Do you know how many rich kids get away with sexually assaulting women in college? It's sick. And the dynamic is the same.

Whoever has the power controls the less powerful.

Or, you can flip that dynamic.

Just stop. Not the PP, but you are the one STEPPING on this person (or over them by urging OP to abet a street encampment. This is a modern city with a massive budget surplus and additional influx of federal Covid aid, not Les Miserables. The city needs to hospitalize, treat and house people who can't do so for themselves. Do you not realize how HOT the last week was? You would have liked to have spent it baking in your own urine and shitting in a bush? How about the thunderstorm with lightning and severe flooding. By ignoring those who have the least you are part of the problem. OP, there is a number for wellness checks and intercession that has been posted many times on this board, or you can call non-emergency 311 and request it or request they handle it themselves (they know who to call). I have called 5-6 times when I have seen someone faceplanted in the road or sidewalk. I'd want the same done for me or my child. How do you know they are not having a massive medical event? but PP would step over them while making nonsense sexual violence analogies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What would you want if you were in that situation? Have you talked to them? Asked them what they need?

I don't see how you expect them to care about what you want if you don't care about what they want. If you're approaching it from and adversarial standpoint you're just using your position of power to prioritize your needs over theirs.

Sorry, but I think this is naive, bad advice.

This person is living in front of OP's home, which means this homeless person could be watching OP's kids and family's comings and goings. I would not interact in any way. You have no idea what kind of mental and other problems this person has.

OP, please keep us posted. I agree with calling the support agency, but I, personally, would also call the police. I would want a complaint on file about this in the unfortunate event that things escalate.

So you're using this route. Got it. Just know that you're an unkind person. And if there's ever a conflict with someone in a higher position of power don't be shocked if they turn the tables on you.

An "unkind" person? Get off your high horse. How about a safe, rational person who is putting her family's needs first?

Again, don't be shocked when you get stepped on by the next person up on the ladder.

What does this even mean? Like paying 40% of gross income in federal and state tax year after year while billionaires pay nothing and even are able to have Roth IRAs with over a billion dollars? Like getting laid off from your job with no severance while the CEO gets a golden parachute? Like something like that?

Or commit crime against you or your loved ones and get away with it because they have the system rigged for them. Do you know how many rich kids get away with sexually assaulting women in college? It's sick. And the dynamic is the same.

Whoever has the power controls the less powerful.

Or, you can flip that dynamic.

Just stop. Not the PP, but you are the one STEPPING on this person (or over them by urging OP to abet a street encampment. This is a modern city with a massive budget surplus and additional influx of federal Covid aid, not Les Miserables. The city needs to hospitalize, treat and house people who can't do so for themselves. Do you not realize how HOT the last week was? You would have liked to have spent it baking in your own urine and shitting in a bush? How about the thunderstorm with lightning and severe flooding. By ignoring those who have the least you are part of the problem. OP, there is a number for wellness checks and intercession that has been posted many times on this board, or you can call non-emergency 311 and request it or request they handle it themselves (they know who to call). I have called 5-6 times when I have seen someone faceplanted in the road or sidewalk. I'd want the same done for me or my child. How do you know they are not having a massive medical event? but PP would step over them while making nonsense sexual violence analogies.

I think you've lost touch with reality and are arguing with some figment of your imagination.

You realize you can both interact with a person as a human being and call for help if that's what they need? Connecting people with available resources is a great thing. If there's a city housing program they can get connected with and you can help make that connection, that's pretty awesome.

If you're just trying to impose your will on them because it's icky to you that's where I have a problem. Keep in mind their humanity and genuinely care about them and I'm sure you'll do right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why does everyone in this thread think that calling the police equals sending a homeless person to jail? You do know that in DC police are trained as first contact people and know how to interface with people and the potential public agency that is required. There is a chance that if you call a nother number they will just call the police as their first contact people anyway.

About calling the3 non profit group, here is the issue. The person that is sleeping in your front yard does not want assistance for whatever reason. That does not mean they should not be offered assistance, but this city has more than enough shelter space for it homeless. However, there is always a certain percentage of homeless who simply do not want to be in a shelter for a variety of reasons. A lot of them believe it or not simply do not want to have their stuff taken from them which a lot of shelters cannot accommodate because of sanitation issues. Their is actually a lot of work being put into giving the homeless some sort of storage space to store their stuff. It looks like a room of locking supercans. It is one thing to have an old jacket thrown away, but another thing to have an old jacket with your drivers license or last pay stub thrown away.

Anyway, call the police. Have you ever spoken to a police officer? An MPD police officer? They get a LOT of training in interfacing with the unknown. Don't get your police perceptions from a few news stories.

Know that when the police arrive they are going to attempt to determine identification and the well being of the individual. Often times, because of the nature of homelessness, police will actually know the individual they are responding to. Often times a homeless person will have a card or contact on them from a shelter they may have visited before. The police will then contact the shelter and find out what the shelter knows.

One issue the city has is that there are not a lot of "day shelter" options. There are not a lot of places to roll up homeless with your stuff, get a shower and a cup of coffee and "tap into" city resources. The city has resources, but often times locating the appropriate interface is difficult or even not desired by the individual.

But back to the beginning, call the police. Friendship place is not rolling out to your front yard with a contact team to help your individual out.

^ This OMG!

One other thing, how does Friendship Place interact with the homeless and the community during the day? I have neve seen a Friendship Place team interacting with a homeless person outside of their Tenley building. Never. If a homeless person needs a ride from wherever they are is there a Friendship Place van that picks them up? I just don't know how the actual rubber meets the road with them. Everybody in the community lauds them I just don't know how they actually interface. For example, I never see them talking to the people camped at the Tenleytown Library garage or the metro bike locker. Or the people pooping all over the Wilson pool benches. You would think that Friendship Place would have an immediate local impact.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can see I'm in the extreme minority here but I would leave food and water out for them.

oh great, and create a rat problem too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why does everyone in this thread think that calling the police equals sending a homeless person to jail? You do know that in DC police are trained as first contact people and know how to interface with people and the potential public agency that is required. There is a chance that if you call a nother number they will just call the police as their first contact people anyway.

About calling the3 non profit group, here is the issue. The person that is sleeping in your front yard does not want assistance for whatever reason. That does not mean they should not be offered assistance, but this city has more than enough shelter space for it homeless. However, there is always a certain percentage of homeless who simply do not want to be in a shelter for a variety of reasons. A lot of them believe it or not simply do not want to have their stuff taken from them which a lot of shelters cannot accommodate because of sanitation issues. Their is actually a lot of work being put into giving the homeless some sort of storage space to store their stuff. It looks like a room of locking supercans. It is one thing to have an old jacket thrown away, but another thing to have an old jacket with your drivers license or last pay stub thrown away.

Anyway, call the police. Have you ever spoken to a police officer? An MPD police officer? They get a LOT of training in interfacing with the unknown. Don't get your police perceptions from a few news stories.

Know that when the police arrive they are going to attempt to determine identification and the well being of the individual. Often times, because of the nature of homelessness, police will actually know the individual they are responding to. Often times a homeless person will have a card or contact on them from a shelter they may have visited before. The police will then contact the shelter and find out what the shelter knows.

One issue the city has is that there are not a lot of "day shelter" options. There are not a lot of places to roll up homeless with your stuff, get a shower and a cup of coffee and "tap into" city resources. The city has resources, but often times locating the appropriate interface is difficult or even not desired by the individual.

But back to the beginning, call the police. Friendship place is not rolling out to your front yard with a contact team to help your individual out.

^ This OMG!

One other thing, how does Friendship Place interact with the homeless and the community during the day? I have neve seen a Friendship Place team interacting with a homeless person outside of their Tenley building. Never. If a homeless person needs a ride from wherever they are is there a Friendship Place van that picks them up? I just don't know how the actual rubber meets the road with them. Everybody in the community lauds them I just don't know how they actually interface. For example, I never see them talking to the people camped at the Tenleytown Library garage or the metro bike locker. Or the people pooping all over the Wilson pool benches. You would think that Friendship Place would have an immediate local impact.

gross!!!

the fact it, people chose to be homeless over the shelter - and that is their right, I believe. but they’re still part of the city and still have to follow rules, which means no creating health and safety hazards; no living in highly trafficked public space. Anyone authentically concerned should donate to a Housing First group.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would move hell and high water to get the person to leave. Anyone who says they'd be cool with a vagrant camped out in their lawn is a moron.

This human being is not on OP’s lawn. They are on a sidewalk near her property. She does not own that sidewalk.

[Anonymous]

Why not go talk to them? See if they need help, and ask what you can do. Offer a shower and maybe a haircut. All they need is someone to see them as a person, not a "bum"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can see I'm in the extreme minority here but I would leave food and water out for them.

It’s not a cat, PP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would move hell and high water to get the person to leave. Anyone who says they'd be cool with a vagrant camped out in their lawn is a moron.

This human being is not on OP’s lawn. They are on a sidewalk near her property. She does not own that sidewalk.

It is illegal for them to be there and after the last two years I can tell you that this can become a permanent encampment in a matter of weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would move hell and high water to get the person to leave. Anyone who says they'd be cool with a vagrant camped out in their lawn is a moron.

This human being is not on OP’s lawn. They are on a sidewalk near her property. She does not own that sidewalk.

Neither does the homeless person. And there are vagrancy laws that apply to all of us.

I’m with the others, OP. Call the police and deal with this before it becomes a whole encampment

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why not go talk to them? See if they need help, and ask what you can do. Offer a shower and maybe a haircut. All they need is someone to see them as a person, not a "bum"

Are you a man? I’m a woman and after enough interactions with people on the street I no longer roll the dice with my safety. It’s my job to be compassionate, it’s not my job to put myself and my family at risk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why does everyone in this thread think that calling the police equals sending a homeless person to jail? You do know that in DC police are trained as first contact people and know how to interface with people and the potential public agency that is required. There is a chance that if you call a nother number they will just call the police as their first contact people anyway.

About calling the3 non profit group, here is the issue. The person that is sleeping in your front yard does not want assistance for whatever reason. That does not mean they should not be offered assistance, but this city has more than enough shelter space for it homeless. However, there is always a certain percentage of homeless who simply do not want to be in a shelter for a variety of reasons. A lot of them believe it or not simply do not want to have their stuff taken from them which a lot of shelters cannot accommodate because of sanitation issues. Their is actually a lot of work being put into giving the homeless some sort of storage space to store their stuff. It looks like a room of locking supercans. It is one thing to have an old jacket thrown away, but another thing to have an old jacket with your drivers license or last pay stub thrown away.

Anyway, call the police. Have you ever spoken to a police officer? An MPD police officer? They get a LOT of training in interfacing with the unknown. Don't get your police perceptions from a few news stories.

Know that when the police arrive they are going to attempt to determine identification and the well being of the individual. Often times, because of the nature of homelessness, police will actually know the individual they are responding to. Often times a homeless person will have a card or contact on them from a shelter they may have visited before. The police will then contact the shelter and find out what the shelter knows.

One issue the city has is that there are not a lot of "day shelter" options. There are not a lot of places to roll up homeless with your stuff, get a shower and a cup of coffee and "tap into" city resources. The city has resources, but often times locating the appropriate interface is difficult or even not desired by the individual.

But back to the beginning, call the police. Friendship place is not rolling out to your front yard with a contact team to help your individual out.

^ This OMG!

One other thing, how does Friendship Place interact with the homeless and the community during the day? I have neve seen a Friendship Place team interacting with a homeless person outside of their Tenley building. Never. If a homeless person needs a ride from wherever they are is there a Friendship Place van that picks them up? I just don't know how the actual rubber meets the road with them. Everybody in the community lauds them I just don't know how they actually interface. For example, I never see them talking to the people camped at the Tenleytown Library garage or the metro bike locker. Or the people pooping all over the Wilson pool benches. You would think that Friendship Place would have an immediate local impact.

Friendship Place is a very well funded, very well paid organization which has a limited impact on its community.

If you read their web pages and take the 2019 data (pre covid) they list their community outreach like this:

Impact
In 2019, Friendship Place served 118 individuals through Street Outreach, meeting their immediate needs and connecting them to services.

So their teams went out into the streets of DC and interfaced with 118 people in an entire year. That is less than a person every third day. That means that they simply went out and spoke to two people a week. I would expect them to speak to two people before lunch EVERY day for the amount of community support they get.

Anyway, don't expect to call them and get their support or assistance getting a homeless person removed from your yard. But here is their number if you would like to have it handy.

202.364.1419

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I think you've lost touch with reality and are arguing with some figment of your imagination.

You realize you can both interact with a person as a human being and call for help if that's what they need? Connecting people with available resources is a great thing. If there's a city housing program they can get connected with and you can help make that connection, that's pretty awesome.

If you're just trying to impose your will on them because it's icky to you that's where I have a problem. Keep in mind their humanity and genuinely care about them and I'm sure you'll do right.

Oh brother. Once you have to cross the street because you witness fights, open air drug usage, open air defecation, and constant drug deals outside your local grocery store because nobody bothered to find a better solution for people on the street, then you can come back and tell me just how “icky” it is. This is happening in all corners of the city, destroying once very desirable neighborhoods. This will eventually affect you even if it’s not now. All because people thought they were being kind and humane. It’s not humane to allow people to not follow our agreed upon laws for a safe and clean city.

[Anonymous]

Reason 1,500 not to live in DC. Call the police. Don’t gamble with your kids’ safety.