Hi Chris,

I noticed this is the 5th time you've reported tents in parks. I'm curious to know what goal you're trying to accomplish. Do you know what process is followed to make those homeless people leave? Also, do you know what happens to those homeless people after they're kicked out?

Hmm, last I checked parks aren’t campgrounds. It is sad that I have had to report this issue and all the other quality of life issues that never get addressed in Fair Haven. I do understand what happens. Living in this community, me neighbors and I have had numerous run ins with illegal drugs, prostitution, homelessness, etc.. I don’t need a lecture about the impact enforcing laws and rules has. I do feel bad for people living in these circumstance and have done plenty of outreach, food distribution, etc. families come to these parks and they deserve a safe place to enjoy the outdoors.

Apparently I can’t voice my thoughts without them being blocked. I am on the board of directors of the condos that I live at, and owners are constantly having to deal with quality of life issues. While this tent in the park may seem harmless, there is a much bigger drug, prostitution and other illegal issues that occur throughout this park, specifically in the areas that are not lit closest to the Ferry Street bridge. We have tried engaging police, alderman, and the city and nothing seems to change.

Yes, isn’t it sad I keep having to report issues like this. People deserve a safe space and there are lots of resources available to people who need them. Sleeping in the park is not appropriate.

You're right, there are resources, but not enough for the entire homeless community. You don't need to keep reporting the tents.

Sleeping is a life-sustaining activity. It must occur at some time in someplace. They've chosen the southeast corner of Fair Haven to avoid being in places where the city is more densely populated.

You don't know what's really going to happen to them after they're kicked out, do you?

Hi Tommy, I am guessing you don’t live in the South East corner of Fair Haven. How about we have them set up camp in your backyard? 9 times out of 10, they have just been asked to be pack up and move on. I don’t mind so much the sleeping aspect of it, it’s more the trash, safety(both of the homeless population and the residents), and illegal activities that go on

Yes, they're asked to pack up and move on, but that doesn't mean they magically disappear into thin air. They have to go somewhere.

You don't care about their well-being. You just don't want them in your backyard. That's pretty cold. They can't stay in my backyard because I don't have a backyard. I'm one of them.

Chris, I’m afraid you are wrong about the wealth of resources. There are no shelter beds whatsoever. And even if there were, the shelter does not work for everyone for a variety of reasons. And before you ask, yes I do live in the southeast corner of Fair Haven. I am not okay with maligning and criminalizing persons experiencing homelessness. So easy to judge something you know little about. Maybe be thankful it’s not you. Perhaps try talking to some of these folks. Maybe bring them some garbage bags.

Thank you for your advocacy Tommy 💜

EMH,

Piece of cake. Most people hate the homeless and don't acknowledge us as being actual human beings.

So I guess I am a terrible person for voicing my concerns. I do understand the seriousness of the issue of homelessness and that there aren’t enough resources. Just because I voice my concerns and advocate that our parks be properly maintained and safe for all to enjoy doesn’t make me cold and a terrible person. I am frustrated and tired of constantly having to deal with break ins and cleaning up trash, needles, bottles, etc left behind. I am not saying that the homeless population are causing all those issues, they have been issues for the entire 8 years I have lived here, and much longer than that. My neighbors and I love this neighborhood and our invested in this neighborhood. I am sorry if I came across cold. I would love to see more housing resources, jobs, and social services available for those who need it. My wife and I support several organizations that align with these goals.

Your words are almost cool Chris, but you've directly insinuated that the aforementioned problems are attributed to the homeless community. Try to put things into perspective.

Imagine if, for whatever reason, your demographics fit into the spectrum of people who are accused of crimes they didn't commit. How would that make you feel?

This is my life. I'm a law-abiding person who is habitually accused of criminal activity even when I've committed no crimes. Yes, I'm a minority of the homeless community who is quite highly educated. That's why I feel obligated to speak on the behalf of my uneducated homeless compatriots.

Wouldn't you do the same for members of your group?

Imagine having to view, prostitution, needles in the park, people doing drugs and dying. I am aware and feel for the homeless and their plight, but setting up a tent, directly in front of my view detracts families, children playing, and enjoyment of the river. This would never fly in a more affluent community, and there are multiple resources for the homeless which my taxes pay for. If anyone would like to volunteer there back yard for the homeless, so be it.

I do agree with Chris. As a neighbor, and living in this area for 9 years, I have cleaned up trash, needles, and debris left by people who clearly have no respect for this area. I have no issue with the homeless, my heart goes out to them. This area can be dangerous for them camping out. Prostitution, drug users, many who over dose, are a reality in this community. There are resources for the homeless which can be taken advantage of. I fear for the safety of the homeless in this area due to the crime and negative elements that may be violent to them.

Almost cool Chris, what you should do is bow down to the silent majority who obviously have higher mental acuity than you because you clearly don’t care about homelessness and human life… what you should do is continue to go to your car (on days it’s not ransacked) and drive to work obviously ignoring the overdosed park patrons. I am Chris’s neighbor, and I find it laughable that these people think that your concern for your safety is at odds the safety of the homeless. Not mutually exclusive.

This is about upholding municipal policy and keeping public parks safe for all residents. I’ve lived here for 15 years. In that time, I’ve seen a man beaten unconscious with a bike lock, multiple overdoses, people openly having sex under our hedges, boxes with dead animals appear under our trees. I’ve picked up countless needles and condoms and watched countless drug deals. Last week, I had to feel for a pulse on a woman unconscious on a park bench. My neighbors and I have dealt with things stolen from cars, people sleeping in our sheds, defecating in our dumpsters, and attempted break ins. If the homeless aren’t at least partly involved in any of these issues, then I don’t see why they would want to live here or come through here. It’s a mess, and there are at least as many options available as choosing to violate city laws and camp out in a public park frequented by local families. Find another spot where they’re NOT calling the cops.

Hello Bill and Andrj,

"Freedom of Speech" is NOT a part of SeeClickFix. Please post your comments again, but be sure to replace some of the vowels with an asterisk. Otherwise, your thoughts will continue to be blocked. We all live in the new world of censored America.

Tommy, I used no profanity. I’m confused as to why my comment was blocked.

Hello Andrj,

No profanity is needed to be blocked. It could be ANY WORD. Imagine you were to compose a comment to be delivered to a group of 4-year-olds. Any word might trigger the anger of their parents. When posting comments on SeeClickFix, it is imperative to make sure it's as sugar-coated as possible; otherwise, it will be blocked.

"Freedom of Speech" is a distant memory in our country and we most likely will never see it again.

This tent is gone

Thanks for fixing this request!