Reply to Is there a solution for ending crime, homelessness & mental health crisis in DC?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Why DC attracts so many homeless, mentally ill, addicts and criminals?[/quote]

Mental healthcare person here. I asked this when I started working in the field. It is a combination of huge income disparity in DC plus being the national capital makes the city a focus of a lot of people's mental illness. That said, I think the real criminals are the ones who sit on the Hill and do nothing about widespread public health problems (gun violence). But sure, let's get upset about the vulnerable disenfranchised![/quote]

You're not wrong, but the criminals who collect handsome salaries on the Hill aren't pushing me off my bike into traffic, yelling sexual slurs, or sh!tt!ng on the sidewalk, so that helps.[/quote]

There are ways other than calling the gestapo.  For example, a port-o-potty by an encampment isn't perfect, but reduces sidewalk poop by a lot.  Make it a regularly cleaned port-o-potty and it's even more effective.

"We haven't tried anything and we're all out of ideas!"[/quote]

Actually we have pretty much tried everything, with all of DC's lavish spending on homeless services, free housing and drug counseling. But most homeless people refuse to be helped because shelters come with rules like no drugs or violence.

The only thing DC hasn't tried yet is enforcing basic laws like no pooping on the sidewalk or shooting up in public. We might give it a try so the city becomes livable again for everyone.[/quote]

No drugs - yeah, what addict is going to agree to that?  Breaking addiction is not as simple as that.

No violence... are you kidding?? People avoid shelters because of the violence they face in there.

How about if you had to split from your partner in the shelter?  Give up your pet? Couldn't bring your property with you?[/quote]
This is the problem. We shouldn't give active addicts apartments where they can still use and abuse themselves and the property. Addicts on the street need to be in treatment centers. Otherwise there is zero chance they will ever get clean. [/quote]

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