Reply to The street beggars are out of control

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I pass through Union Station twice a day and walk up Mass. Ave seven blocks for work. I'm out and about around Gallery Place for lunch. [b]While I've seen greater numbers of homeless individuals, these pearl-clutching stories of rampant "out of control" behavior amount to nothing more than hyperbole[/b]. They definitely remain the exception instead of the norm.[/quote]

Lying prone on the street is out of control behavior. The fact that you don't recognize that is super sad :([/quote]

By your standard, “out of control” behavior has been occurring for decades.[/quote]

If your child were lying face down in their own filth in a bus stop and refusing shelter, I'm pretty sure you'd think they're out of control. And that's the least of what we see, but by your admission you see it every day and are not concerned enough to call in a wellness check or feel unease over their situation.[/quote]

I feel unease about the situation such people are in; I don't feel unease for myself in proximity to them, however.[/quote]

I understand what you are saying, that you do not feel your personal safety is threatened. However, the fact that you do not view chronic homelessness generally as out of control behavior or feel unease over what you have observed are greater numbers is odd. Even if you do not feel personally threatened, I am sure you are capable of understanding that many of us have observed erratic behavior, that some people's daily business takes them on routes where they are harrassed by panhandlers, and that there was a spate of random killings of mostly young women in the past five years in DC by homeless. Just because it hasn't happened to you, or someone you know, I would urge you to understand two things--seeing homeless as someone's child and being concerned by their welfare, and seeing an uptick in mentally ill folks without any services on our streets is not "pearl clutching".  I hope you can bring yourself to this realization and be part of the solution. For example, calling in a wellness check for some of the folks you pass every day who are no doubt in great distress. [/quote]

Yes, thanks for the lecture -- I have never used the phrase "pearl clutching" and I frequently make calls to D.C. homeless service lines on behalf of people who appear to be in distress.

Unfortunately, many people (especially on here) who are fortunate enough to be housed and mentally healthy view increased homelessness primarily as a problem for themselves, and all too often, an aesthetic problem. It is in fact a problem primarily for the people who are living on the streets without getting (for whatever reason) the services they need.

That's not to dismiss actual harassment, and everyone has their own comfort level with interactions in the world. But [b]I also don't personally consider myself to have been harassed when people ask me to give them money, even if it's verbally aggressive at times[/b]. Speaking only for myself, I am not a victim of D.C.'s homelessness situation.[/quote]

When I was in my teens there were panhandlers in every doorway up Connecticut from Dupont Circle. Their aggressive asking was incredibly uncomfortable to this teen, and I used to find alternative ways home. It's not a great thing, homelessness or panhandling. You may have the psychological makeup to enjoy your walk despite aggressive panhandling, but a lot of people may not. As a young woman I felt really uncomfortable, as th ask can be very manipulative. Either you "please" or you get cussed out or whatever. It sucked and really sapped a lot of enjoyment from strolls.[/quote]

Right, I realize that, that's why I said I was only speaking for myself. [/quote]

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