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Police ignoring homeless "campers" in neighbor's backyard
Submitted by Carole Borges on Tue, 2007/07/31 - 9:16pm.
A member of the Edgewood Neighborhood Association (in North Knoxville)has been trying to remove a mini-tent city being set up by homeless people in the back yard of a condemned house next to her property. The building code people say it's a police issue. The police came out talked to the "campers" and then left. They never reported what they found to the woman who complained. Apparently several small items have gone missing during the time the "campers" have been there. Is this business as usual for the KPD?
Submitted by CathyMcCaughan on Tue, 2007/07/31 - 9:53pm.
Yes. I once called and told them that there were a large number of people living in the wetlands at Turkey Creek and said that it wasn't safe for them to be there. The police said they didn't care. The homeless shelters wouldn't go out there and offer them a ride into town either.
Submitted by Mark Shetterly on Tue, 2007/07/31 - 10:11pm.
Why don't they just get the "neighborhood associaton" together and go over there with some blunt instruments and clean house, as it were? Run those dirty leeches back under a bridge somewhere.
Submitted by Carole Borges on Wed, 2007/08/01 - 5:20am.
Violence begets violence, Mark. I feel very sorry for people like yourself because the venom that you express is most likely the same venom that causes diseases like ulcers and cancers. We are only on this beautiful planet a short time, and so much good is here (and it outweighs the bad). Time spent hating and fearing is time lost. Wake up and smell the roses. You've somehow gotten lost and are groping through the dung pile.
No offense, but I think this planet would be so much better off if all the violence prone people like yourself would simply migrate to Mars.
Hey, yeah. That's a great idea. We could then call this the Peace planet & you guys could have Mars and call it the War planet. While you guys were joyfully stalking each other, we peaceful and loving types could be spending our time enjoying feeling safe.
Submitted by rocketsquirrel on Wed, 2007/08/01 - 7:20am.
Don't worry. In eight years, those homeless camps all over town will instantly vanish. We're almost two years in to the "Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness in Knoxville."
We recently had one on our back fence (a camp). Police have been responsive. It doesn't take long for word to get out within the homeless community that a particular area is not suitable for encampment. Hostility is not required.
But people down on their luck don't need to be threatened, they need to be directed to the appropriate support. Unfortunately, we have homeless shelters that create a cycle of dependency with three meals a day, then dumping them out on Broadway betwixt meals, with no accountability for the actions of the agencies. I blame the agencies, not the homeless.
Submitted by Up Goose Creek on Wed, 2007/08/01 - 8:24am.
Don't worry. In eight years, those homeless camps all over town will instantly vanish. We're almost two years in to the "Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness in Knoxville."
I'm afraid I detect a note of sarcasm. But do you feel much progress will be made?
But people down on their luck don't need to be threatened
Word
I once called and told them that there were a large number of people living in the wetlands at Turkey Creek and said that it wasn't safe for them to be there.
I'm not saying this is the ideal solution, but studies have shown that being around trees and natural areas helps people who are struggling with mental health issues. So we downsize our mental health hospitals - where do we expect troubled people to go?
a mini-tent city being set up by homeless people in the back yard of a condemned house
Not knowing the house, I can't comment on whether it was a physical threat to the community. But does anyone see the connection between removing housing stock and an increase in homelessness? Unless a neighborhood has a high enough resale value or there are neighbors willing and able to purchase and repair the house, it's quite possible a condemned house will languish. Abandoned houses and overgrown lots will be attractive to people without a home. People think getting a house condemned will help the neighborhood but it can lead to other problems. I'd suggest contacting the owner instead. It's quite possible if they are letting the house run down they may be ready to sell.
____________________________________
Less is the new More - Karrie Jacobs
If it has not been done already, I suggest the Neighborhood Association write a letter to the Mayor, a police captain or chief, building codes people, a few people (if not all) on city council. Be professional and constructive. Describe the problem and how it affects the neighborhood (safety, etc.), what has been done so far (without criticism of KPD), and what they and/or the neighborhood would like done. Ask them to contact the Neighborhood Association to discuss the problem and possible resolutions.
As many know and others of us are finding out, change is a slow process. It is amazing that results can be had, sometimes, with this approach.
Submitted by rocketsquirrel on Wed, 2007/08/01 - 9:32am.
I'm afraid I detect a note of sarcasm. But do you feel much progress will be made?
you'd be right on the sarcasm. And no, I am skeptical of progress. But a whole lot of money will change hands. It already has. VMC has received city AND county CDBG money, which it passed to KARM, buying their old building, which VMC said it needed but promptly tore down. then VMC got more block grant money to buy the 5th Ave Motel over a year ago. Driven by lately? It looks worse than it ever has, and there are never more than token workers on the site.
Submitted by Carole Borges on Thu, 2007/08/02 - 7:17am.
Just so everyone knows there is a way to stop people from occupying condemned houses, here's the path.
Call the Mayor's call center number (311). The woman abutting the condemned house said the person who answered was really, really helpful. The same day she made the call, the woman quizzed the police on what happened. They said they had told the people to leave and had seen them packing up so they left. After the call to the Mayor's office, the police went back, and this time made sure the people were gone.
Sometimes things do work the way you hope they will. Haslam's office deserves credit for being so responsive on this one.
Yes. I once called and told them that there were a large number of people living in the wetlands at Turkey Creek and said that it wasn't safe for them to be there. The police said they didn't care. The homeless shelters wouldn't go out there and offer them a ride into town either.
Why don't they just get the "neighborhood associaton" together and go over there with some blunt instruments and clean house, as it were? Run those dirty leeches back under a bridge somewhere.
Link...
Link...
Perhaps you've confused "neighborhood association" with "homicidal vigilantes."
My but you're a twisted soul.
Nelle - word.
Violence begets violence, Mark. I feel very sorry for people like yourself because the venom that you express is most likely the same venom that causes diseases like ulcers and cancers. We are only on this beautiful planet a short time, and so much good is here (and it outweighs the bad). Time spent hating and fearing is time lost. Wake up and smell the roses. You've somehow gotten lost and are groping through the dung pile.
No offense, but I think this planet would be so much better off if all the violence prone people like yourself would simply migrate to Mars.
Hey, yeah. That's a great idea. We could then call this the Peace planet & you guys could have Mars and call it the War planet. While you guys were joyfully stalking each other, we peaceful and loving types could be spending our time enjoying feeling safe.
That way everyone would be "happy".
Don't worry. In eight years, those homeless camps all over town will instantly vanish. We're almost two years in to the "Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness in Knoxville."
We recently had one on our back fence (a camp). Police have been responsive. It doesn't take long for word to get out within the homeless community that a particular area is not suitable for encampment. Hostility is not required.
But people down on their luck don't need to be threatened, they need to be directed to the appropriate support. Unfortunately, we have homeless shelters that create a cycle of dependency with three meals a day, then dumping them out on Broadway betwixt meals, with no accountability for the actions of the agencies. I blame the agencies, not the homeless.
Don't worry. In eight years, those homeless camps all over town will instantly vanish. We're almost two years in to the "Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness in Knoxville."
I'm afraid I detect a note of sarcasm. But do you feel much progress will be made?
But people down on their luck don't need to be threatened
Word
I once called and told them that there were a large number of people living in the wetlands at Turkey Creek and said that it wasn't safe for them to be there.
I'm not saying this is the ideal solution, but studies have shown that being around trees and natural areas helps people who are struggling with mental health issues. So we downsize our mental health hospitals - where do we expect troubled people to go?
a mini-tent city being set up by homeless people in the back yard of a condemned house
Not knowing the house, I can't comment on whether it was a physical threat to the community. But does anyone see the connection between removing housing stock and an increase in homelessness? Unless a neighborhood has a high enough resale value or there are neighbors willing and able to purchase and repair the house, it's quite possible a condemned house will languish. Abandoned houses and overgrown lots will be attractive to people without a home. People think getting a house condemned will help the neighborhood but it can lead to other problems. I'd suggest contacting the owner instead. It's quite possible if they are letting the house run down they may be ready to sell.
____________________________________
Less is the new More - Karrie Jacobs
Was out at Turkey Creek this past Sunday. 3 homeless folks were at a redlight soliciting, covering 3 of the 4 streets leading into the intersection.
If it has not been done already, I suggest the Neighborhood Association write a letter to the Mayor, a police captain or chief, building codes people, a few people (if not all) on city council. Be professional and constructive. Describe the problem and how it affects the neighborhood (safety, etc.), what has been done so far (without criticism of KPD), and what they and/or the neighborhood would like done. Ask them to contact the Neighborhood Association to discuss the problem and possible resolutions.
As many know and others of us are finding out, change is a slow process. It is amazing that results can be had, sometimes, with this approach.
I'm afraid I detect a note of sarcasm. But do you feel much progress will be made?
you'd be right on the sarcasm. And no, I am skeptical of progress. But a whole lot of money will change hands. It already has. VMC has received city AND county CDBG money, which it passed to KARM, buying their old building, which VMC said it needed but promptly tore down. then VMC got more block grant money to buy the 5th Ave Motel over a year ago. Driven by lately? It looks worse than it ever has, and there are never more than token workers on the site.
Call me skeptical, but check Joe Sullivan's piece in last week's Pulse.
Is the "Quest to End Chronic Homelessness" quietly becoming a subsidiary of Lawler/Wood?
Just so everyone knows there is a way to stop people from occupying condemned houses, here's the path.
Call the Mayor's call center number (311). The woman abutting the condemned house said the person who answered was really, really helpful. The same day she made the call, the woman quizzed the police on what happened. They said they had told the people to leave and had seen them packing up so they left. After the call to the Mayor's office, the police went back, and this time made sure the people were gone.
Sometimes things do work the way you hope they will. Haslam's office deserves credit for being so responsive on this one.
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