Content from our friends over at Dallas Homeless Network
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Dallas hates the homeless
This article in the Saturday DMN blames the homeless for Colby Properties failure to sell the building or keep it up to code. The Stewpot is across the street from this building.
The article quoted Willis Winters, an assistant director of the Dallas Park and Recreation Department as saying "The problem isn't the building itself – it's what's located across the street," Winters said. "And those poor owners are taking the full burden of that."
I would like to ask a very simple question - exactly where is it okay for a homeless shelter or service provider for the homeless to locate? Where exactly is it okay for the homeless to be period! You can be sure no matter where it may be okay today it won't be tomorrow if the City or other citizens decide they want to reclaim the area or just simply run them out to protect everyone's 'quality of life'.
We are talking about human beings here who have the same feelings and needs as everyone else. The article is a piece of #@%! Tear the building down and move on (I will believe it when I see it) or better yet Colby Properties could just donate it to The Stewpot or the City of Dallas to use for homeless services or housing.
The Robert Johnson Memorial Building for the Homeless. What a great honor for him.
Pegasus News content partner - Dallas Homeless Network
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"The article is a piece of #@%!" Huh? Not sure who wrote this story but I don't understand your anger at "the article". I found it balanced and basically just quoting statements from all sides.
smy2k Anonymous
9 months, 2 weeks ago
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No it is not a negative or bad story, but, the homeless represent as in the Grapes of John Stienbeck, to folks in Los Angles in the 1930s...problems, now add 2009 to 1933 and you have Hobo Hippies...A/T,Star gazer without eyes.
alexander troup Verified
9 months, 2 weeks ago
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I really wish we could double or triple the amount of housing for the homeless that has been planned.Larry James wrote this article, which I think is a sound approach.
http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2007/...
As well, it isn't hard to see how members of the business community might face problems by having a large homeless population in their direct vicinity. You really can't blame them just the same way you can't expect them to simply give up their property. It is a bit hard to be generous when the cause of your problems suddenly becomes the beneficiary of your misfortune.
Clearly we have to do something else besides simply feed the homeless and give them a place to sleep for the night. Downtown needs it.
Travis Bush Verified
9 months, 2 weeks ago
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The messaage for 2009 for Downtown Dallas, maps will be given to the homeless to the Bridge and other places....maybe, while the housing thing is a must......if you want Henry Fonda to make another movie for John Steinbeck, call it "Home on the Range" for the homeless...A/T, Homeless script writer.
alexander troup Verified
9 months, 2 weeks ago
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Having The Stewpot across the street and homeless people in the area needing services is just laying the blame on someone else. The owner has failed to properly maintain the building, wants too much money for the property but wants to blame the homeless for their failure. The January 22 coverage found at the DMN site says "The list of building code violations at the property fill a full page and fire code violations fill another."
gtobe Anonymous
9 months, 2 weeks ago
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Have you ever walked down that street?
I doubt you have.
It's a toilet. It looks and smells like a 3rd world country.
Clay213 Anonymous
9 months, 2 weeks ago
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Grapes Of Wraith My A*S, these people are BUMS, not Homeless. At least Tom Joad and the homeless tried to get a job and off the streets.
Ya know what, alot of us are tired of the BUM problem downtown. We're tired of em bothering us when we go out to our cars, to walk our dogs, run errands or out to eat. Im tired of BUMS coming up and harassing me at the DART platform for money that I dont have myself. My neighbors, friends and family are tired of being chased out of places we like in downtown/uptown and ellum because BUMS know its a field day due to The Bridge opening up, we're seeing BUMS from other cities coming/being shipped in because other places dont want to take care of their issues. The Stewpot wont close down their daily feed/outside public toliet and downtown is about to lose one of its historic buildings (see: Glazer Building/Robert Johnson) because of BUMS as well.
I could be a jerk and suggest we trap (w/ Rotgut, thunderbird or Wild Irish Rose) tag and release these BUMS into another area OR setup a caged hunt to take them out (ala Survivng The Game). But im going to propose something better: Ship em back where they came from. Help the homeless and put up signs similar to what you'd see in the depression telling them to move on, as we have nothing for them here.
Chris Kidd Verified
9 months, 2 weeks ago
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It's not that the bums have ruined just one STREET, but they've made a no-man's-land of an entire SECTION of town. I'm talking about the quadrant bounded by Harwood/Canton/Akard/I-30. Have a look at that area on a Saturday afternoon, a time that should be "prime time" for shoppers and tourists in a thriving "world class" (gag) city. Nobody in his right mind would lower his car windows, much less, get out and walk around.
Hell, we were doing better when they lived under the Central Expressway bridge by Good-Latimer.
pabloindallas Anonymous
9 months, 2 weeks ago
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Amen brother...One of the places in downtown that can use the business and would thrive if the BUMS were tossed out would be that area.
Chris Kidd Verified
9 months, 2 weeks ago
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Somebody alert Chris that a republican has hijacked his account!
Jason Rice Verified
9 months, 2 weeks ago
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Which Republicans, there are over 3 million of them left, the other ones have flead to South Amercia...A/T< Town and Country observer..
alexander troup Verified
9 months, 2 weeks ago
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I'd say "we can narrow it down by age demographics to those net-savvy enough to hack" but then AT throws my happy little denigrating stereotype in the can. Gee, thanks, AT.
Jason Rice Verified
9 months, 2 weeks ago
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I'm gonna have to go w/Chris on this one...
Travis Bush Verified
9 months, 2 weeks ago
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Oh, Lord - Bleedin' heart Trav ?!?! TOO!??!
Room, darkening... spinning.... no .. light...
I hear ... the voice of.... suburbs calling... calling
Jason Rice Verified
9 months, 2 weeks ago
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Suburbs? Ahahah!!! That would drive me more insane than I already am...
It seems to me the problem stems from poor choices and the decline of downtown over many years..I can see why homeless shelters and soup kitchens have sprung up where they did. All that unused area that the city and business community neglected made "great" locations for those kinds of facilities. Obviously there has to be some compromise if they are to stay where they are AND downtown ever gets revitalized.
I say put the homeless to work picking up trash, cleaning up parks, helping at the recycling centers. If the able bodied refuse to work, then I'm all for removing them from the city.
Travis Bush Verified
9 months, 2 weeks ago
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And pull the drawbridge up behind them.
I think the Trinity makes a perfect moat.
<font size="1">Travis... Traaaviss.... come to the suburbs.... suuuubuuurrbs....</font>
Jason Rice Verified
9 months, 2 weeks ago
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I say we ship all the homeless to Plano...
Travis Bush Verified
9 months, 2 weeks ago
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No, Mr T... lets ship them to Preston Hollow, great bridges and tollway support sections to hide under and pleanty of food from ...you know who,the guy who signed up the A Rod...A/T, Trying to be freindly to the rich guy...and homeless on steroids.
alexander troup Verified
9 months, 2 weeks ago
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Im a left-tilter still jason, but im one whos tired of getting harassed by bums.
Chris Kidd Verified
9 months, 2 weeks ago
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These are more like zombies or feral animals than humans.
Clay213 Anonymous
9 months, 2 weeks ago
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::I say we ship all the homeless to Plano...
As if couldn't afford a moat.
Jason Rice Verified
9 months, 2 weeks ago
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I have volunteered at THE STEWPOT, they do a fabulous job. The homeless issue will NEVER go away, that part of downtown is always empty and has been for years.The homeless and THE BRIDGE and THE STEWPOT own that part of downtown, doing good social services for them folks. Yes, it stinks and is trashy down there, but that is where humans are living, on the streets and people should respect that area. Always talk of revitalization. My butt. Developers, building something there, of use? Come on, to spur downtown re-development. They can't even do a thing to revitalize Main Street. I had a nightclub down there and it has and still is always dead, since 1998. Downtown Dallas, is a daytime place to be. Let the homeless hang out there. Most people, who work during the day use the underground crosswalks and walkways anyway, rarely coming to street level for lunchtime. My opinion. God leave these homeless people alone, help them out and if they make it back up in society then great, if not, help them again. God is watching. Plano for the homeless? Don't worry they have enough triple-mortgaged home-owners there now, they will also have homeless too, if not already. Thanks to the republican agenda and the crooked actions from the last 8 years of government.
Russ Vandeveerdonk Verified
9 months, 2 weeks ago
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ZOMBIES I TELL YOU!
Clay213 Anonymous
9 months, 2 weeks ago
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Many of these people are not able to work. They are disabled, mentally or physically, have no income or a very limited income. If the shelters push them out every morning they need some place to go. They need housing and Dallas has been too slow in helping with that. Depression is a major problem for the homeless population and I can see how that would happen once caught in that downward spiral of homelessness and survival mode kicks in. It is difficult to hang on to any sense of hope when you are treated like a second class citizen with no rights.
JG Anonymous
9 months, 2 weeks ago
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Russ and JG, Alot of what you say is true, esp. with the confederacy of dunces that have made up city hall in the past 30 years. Add to the fact you have property owners who havent give 2 GDs about making their properties nice. Im someone who believes we should preserve our history, esp. at the property in question, as it is THE key link in modern american music. Robert Johnson wrote and performed songs that became the basis for rock and roll, yet this building in alot of ways has become the proverbial "Crossroads", where men down on their luck waste their days away with cheap liquor and drugs,soiling themselves mentally, physically and spiritually. That being said, I understand theres "homeless" out there who are ill, I dont have an issue with those people getting the help they truly need, which is medical attention and a roof over their heads and I most certainly believe that this is something that the city, county and state should partner with non-profs to accomplish.
What I and others have been referring to are the able bodied lazy BUMS who are getting shipped here from other cities/counties since The Bridge was opened. Im referring to the ones with criminal pasts who've been getting kicked out of shelters/halfways, not allowed into The Bridge and have gotten more aggressive with people because they refuse to give them a handout or let them into their buildings, esp in CBD(The Mosaic is a great example) and Ellum(Where I live). I myself was nearly the victim to an attack last year, luckly the DPD were nearby and the guy ran when he saw the cop car coming by. Im not the type whos going to run back to the suburbs, i'll stand my ground and defend my home from this invasion.
Chris Kidd Verified
9 months, 2 weeks ago
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I will say this about homeless, they do tear up a city, and some years back the reason you could not find a bathroom Downtown was becuase, somone was sleeping it such or tearing them up, now that made me mad..STILL DOES TODAY, i have to have a token to go.
And when I worked on the Interurban building over on Jackson street in 1999, it was a Roach Homeless Hotel for around 10 years, they stole all of the copper from the building, had fires inside and almost burned the place down...which is why the homeless need a sacred place and be well fed and christian taken care of, not abused by doo gooers who are control freaks...A/T, ....I Want a safe place to use the bathroom.
alexander troup Verified
9 months, 2 weeks ago
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Downtown Fort Worth was like this during the late 70s to early 80s. I can remember needing an escort to walk to my car if I had to work a couple of hours late, especially in winter months when it got dark early. The site where the Flying Saucer now sits was the worst part of the edge of town, just around the corner from the night shelter on Jones. When Daddios moved there (I'm told it was an upgrade from the previous site, but shudder to think of what it was like before) you literally had to step over bums sleeping on the sidewalk. They often came into the club and sang for drinks.
Unfortunately, moving that night shelter away from Jones Street just transferred the bulk of the problem to the neighborhood further east.
momzilla Anonymous
9 months, 2 weeks ago
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Their is an old Hobo farm out in Rockwall that took the Hobos in around 1900 to 1947, it is a Musuem today, while the people need an outside haven....a nice place in the woods, and a place they can be given one more chance....A/T,.... DO you want to be homeless in your next life...
alexander troup Verified
9 months, 2 weeks ago
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There is an empty pod somewhere with TB's name on it.
jtmbls Anonymous
9 months, 2 weeks ago
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They pulled the same genius move in Austin, putting the shelter right next to the biggest tourist draw of the city.
Now you need to walk a gauntlet of undead to get to 6th street.
How much is that costing the city because of their liberal white guilt?
Clay213 Anonymous
9 months, 2 weeks ago
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Good posts by all. But we live in this "capitalistic" society, he who makes the most money wins. Happy Valentines Day to all you lovers out there Saturday, especially YOU Alexander "25 girls' Troup!! :)
Russ Vandeveerdonk Verified
9 months, 2 weeks ago
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Clay213: I think I remember the area you're talking about, but I never really had to walk past it. Plus, in my experience, the Austin homeless are a different breed - more relaxed, less likely to shiv you.
Maybe we should just provide free marijuana to the Dallas homeless to render them funny and harmless? I bet it would be cheaper than what we've tried so far.
Pavel Lishin Verified
9 months, 2 weeks ago
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I agree, most of the time in A-town, the homeless leave you alone and dont give you any trouble. They even have Leslie, whos like the unoffical spokesperson for the Austin Keep It Wierd crowd ;)
Chris Kidd Verified
9 months, 2 weeks ago
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Pavel got a new hari doo, getting ready to meet the homeless, San Francisco is filled with the P.H.D In such home life..A/T,... You wanabee homless, try camping for 3 years.
alexander troup Verified
9 months, 1 week ago
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Unfair Park has quite the dialog going on this:
http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfai...
JG Anonymous
9 months, 1 week ago
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Sorry, but I can't stand the way the Observer has their comments feature set up.
Travis Bush Verified
9 months, 1 week ago
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There is some merit to the DMN article, and yes, we need to improve our social services.
It does drive away business when you have people aggressively panhandling. Five years ago, a homeless man approached my lovely ex-wife while she was pumping gas and he begged her for a ride (she's all alone), and he gets angry when she refuses. I can promise you in five years she's never gone back to that gas station. It freaked her out, and for good reason. If the city can do a better job serving the homeless, they won't be so aggressive and a few (obviously not all) will get back on their feet. Dallas bares the responsibility of being the "big city," and it needs to step up to the task that comes with that burden: caring for marginalized people.
Dallas Homeless Network, we want you to be successful in your work, but this article (a few exclamation marks short of a rant) doesn't represent you at your best.
David Hopkins Verified
9 months, 1 week ago
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There ain't no good guys...there ain't no bad guys...there's only you and me and we just disagree.
As long as we all point fingers of blame at one another nothing will ever get done...and how can it?...When we are more interested in being right than finding a solution. Surely we can find a more positive way to deal with the homeless. It shouldn't be "us"(the fortunate) against "them"(the unfortunate) but alas it always seems to turn out that way. We give convicts rights, benefits and opportunities, that in my opinion they don't deserve and and dismiss the homeless as though they should crawl off in a corner and die because they contribute little. THERE HAS TO BE A SOLUTION SOMEWHERE. Let's concentrate on that and working together. Peace.
Christy52 Anonymous
9 months, 1 week ago
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The homeless problem is an old problem here since the late 1970s, before, homeless activity, vagarant and bums was the less term becuase of the numbers that was in small groups who could become welfare and goverment poor......
Dallas is a prime example of todays indiffrence, while the econimical situation should create another new awareness and reform before it is to late...A/T,.. New York in 2016 20 million homeless, Soilent Green.
alexander troup Verified
9 months, 1 week ago
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There are no bad guys...except those damn convicts gettin' all those rights and benefits and opportunities.
k.
Pavel Lishin Verified
9 months, 1 week ago
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Bet there wouldn't be any homeless if they were scooped up and used as food..
Clay213 Anonymous
9 months, 1 week ago
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::except those damn convicts
and all them nonconformists
Jason Rice Verified
9 months, 1 week ago
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It is very easy to use our vocabulary to demonize any group. The article doesn't tell you that this building on Park Ave. is not only in a very bad location (Even if the Stewpot wasn't there) but also really isn't a building you can do anyhting with.(No Windows)Even in the best economic times this building, as historic as it is, just doesn't fit into the Downtown plan. Real-estate in downtown either needs to be centralized or near the American Airlines arena to be attractive to any potential leasor or buyer. This building regardless of it's neighbors, just doesn't fit the bill...location, location, location...
dallashomeless Anonymous
9 months, 1 week ago
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To emphasize dallashomeless' point, <a href="http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2009/feb/13/508-park-avenue-dallas-has-been-neglected-years/">here's an opinion piece</a> we published this morning on the same building.
Alex Bentley Staff
9 months, 1 week ago
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Now that is some real Peg news, from the homeless, great balls of fire... they have a voice and an ear...go get em tiger, flush out the stewpot haters, then again, why do the homeless tear all of the bathrooms up in town........ I have to go soon..............and what about Robert Johnsons haven in the past, sung the blues..... its all about some sorrow...A/T, Done sung them reds.....
alexander troup Verified
9 months, 1 week ago
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