Seattle Homelessness

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  • tempo_n_groovetempo_n_groove Posts: 38,850
    jeffbr said:
    PJ_Soul said:
    Seattle needs to maybe think about how Ghouliani managed to clean up NYC, honestly. Be really tough and stop letting them hold the citizens hostage like that. The cops needs to start rounding up these people and laying charges and throwing them in jail for every minor offense if they have to.
    Yup, but the cops are handcuffed at this point. They aren't citing anyone for pissing or shitting in the street anymore. And no arrests for 3 grams or under of opiates! That's 30 doses of heroin that you're OK to carry around, which is why the fucking drug dealers don't even have to worry. They just carry 3g or less and no hassle. Heroin free for all. Fuckin' meth heads, crack heads and shooters killing themselves on the streets but at least our cops carry Narcan now, so they can resurrect them and let them try to kill themselves tomorrow. The cops are hesitatant to even make arrests because prosecutors won't prosecute. From that linked documentary, in 2006 25% of cases weren't filed. In 2016 that number jumped to 46%. Then you get a third of the remaining being outright dismissed. Then you get another big chunk just listed as "other" with no resolution. And you end up with 18% resulting in convictions. But after plea deals and lenient sentences, very few are actually held accountable. And there are "homeless" out there with dozens of arrests over a pretty short period of time, so they get arrested, but they're right back at it, laughing at the system that doesn't hold any of them accountable. It is time for change.
    "They aren't citing anyone for pissing or shitting in the street anymore. And no arrests for 3 grams or under of opiates!"

    NYC has recently started doing this.  I also saw for the first time here this winter a group of homeless setting up camp under a freeway.  That didn't last long though.

    The mayor, Diblasio, is trying to not get people brought in for bullshit and petty things but if Seattle did this and ended up like they are then I say go back to arresting and citations.

    Here in NY they are very big on security so the bridges and tunnels will get shut down pretty quick if "unauthorized" people are roaming around them so camps and such wouldn't last long.

    In 5 years of being back in NY and traveling to the city frequently there has been an influx of homeless and panhandlers.
  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 40,592
    jeffbr said:
    PJ_Soul said:
    Seattle needs to maybe think about how Ghouliani managed to clean up NYC, honestly. Be really tough and stop letting them hold the citizens hostage like that. The cops needs to start rounding up these people and laying charges and throwing them in jail for every minor offense if they have to.
    Yup, but the cops are handcuffed at this point. They aren't citing anyone for pissing or shitting in the street anymore. And no arrests for 3 grams or under of opiates! That's 30 doses of heroin that you're OK to carry around, which is why the fucking drug dealers don't even have to worry. They just carry 3g or less and no hassle. Heroin free for all. Fuckin' meth heads, crack heads and shooters killing themselves on the streets but at least our cops carry Narcan now, so they can resurrect them and let them try to kill themselves tomorrow. The cops are hesitatant to even make arrests because prosecutors won't prosecute. From that linked documentary, in 2006 25% of cases weren't filed. In 2016 that number jumped to 46%. Then you get a third of the remaining being outright dismissed. Then you get another big chunk just listed as "other" with no resolution. And you end up with 18% resulting in convictions. But after plea deals and lenient sentences, very few are actually held accountable. And there are "homeless" out there with dozens of arrests over a pretty short period of time, so they get arrested, but they're right back at it, laughing at the system that doesn't hold any of them accountable. It is time for change.
    "They aren't citing anyone for pissing or shitting in the street anymore. And no arrests for 3 grams or under of opiates!"

    NYC has recently started doing this.  I also saw for the first time here this winter a group of homeless setting up camp under a freeway.  That didn't last long though.

    The mayor, Diblasio, is trying to not get people brought in for bullshit and petty things but if Seattle did this and ended up like they are then I say go back to arresting and citations.

    Here in NY they are very big on security so the bridges and tunnels will get shut down pretty quick if "unauthorized" people are roaming around them so camps and such wouldn't last long.

    In 5 years of being back in NY and traveling to the city frequently there has been an influx of homeless and panhandlers.
    Bummer.  And I'll be willing to bet that's happening in pretty much every big city in the U.S.  I'd like to know the statistics.  Based on my own observations, it sure looks to be the case for San Francisco and Sacramento. 

    Symptoms of something bigger, no doubt. 
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • josevolutionjosevolution Posts: 28,258
    Yesterday here on LI I saw a young man destitute on the service road of the LIE I stopped handed him 5$ , that’s all I had on me ..
    jesus greets me looks just like me ....
  • my2handsmy2hands Posts: 17,117
    Went to Seattle in 2005... loved it... didnt even rain... 

    I will not be going back now until they clean it up
  • my2handsmy2hands Posts: 17,117
    By the way.... 3 grams of heroin is A LOT of fucking heroin, what genius came up with that amount? 
  • riley540riley540 Denver Colorado Posts: 1,128
    my2hands said:
    By the way.... 3 grams of heroin is A LOT of fucking heroin, what genius came up with that amount? 
    That’s what I was thinking. A lethal amount of heroin is just cool to carry around? Seems odd to me 
  • Meltdown99Meltdown99 None Of Your Business... Posts: 10,739
    edited April 2019
    3 grams is equivalent to 30 doses.  And there are actually calling for this poison to be legalized for recreational use...
    Give Peas A Chance…
  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 40,592
    my2hands said:
    Went to Seattle in 2005... loved it... didnt even rain... 

    I will not be going back now until they clean it up
    That's around the same time I was there last.  Looking at the Seattle is Dying video, it seems a lot has changed in 14 years.  Bummer!
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • benjsbenjs Toronto, ON Posts: 8,929
    my2hands said:
    Went to Seattle in 2005... loved it... didnt even rain... 

    I will not be going back now until they clean it up
    Went last year and loved it. Even working towards moving there over the next five/six years. I hope to go back and help clean it up.
    '05 - TO, '06 - TO 1, '08 - NYC 1 & 2, '09 - TO, Chi 1 & 2, '10 - Buffalo, NYC 1 & 2, '11 - TO 1 & 2, Hamilton, '13 - Buffalo, Brooklyn 1 & 2, '15 - Global Citizen, '16 - TO 1 & 2, Chi 2

    EV
    Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
  • PapPap Aspra Spitia, Greece Posts: 28,122
    Athens 2006 / Milton Keynes 2014 / London 1&2 2022 / Seattle 1 2024 / Dublin 2024 / Manchester 2024 / London 2024
  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 40,592
    I'll post this here since it's the closest thing I could find to a general, all purpose homelessness thread.

    My wife and I saw this amazing movie last night called "The Public", written and directed by Emilio Esteves who also acts in it along with Alec Baldwin, Jena Malone, Christian Slater, and some other fine actors. We both thought it was one of the best movies we've seen in recent years.   It focuses on the plight of the homeless and though it offers no easy answers (because there are none), it does a great job of representing homeless people in a realistic manner and raises awareness of the issue.  If you liked the movie, check out the Q & A or at least the first five minutes where Emilio talks about why he made this fine film (eleven years in the making!).

    Trailer:

    Q&A:




    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • PapPap Aspra Spitia, Greece Posts: 28,122
    Athens 2006 / Milton Keynes 2014 / London 1&2 2022 / Seattle 1 2024 / Dublin 2024 / Manchester 2024 / London 2024
  • PapPap Aspra Spitia, Greece Posts: 28,122
    Athens 2006 / Milton Keynes 2014 / London 1&2 2022 / Seattle 1 2024 / Dublin 2024 / Manchester 2024 / London 2024
  • PapPap Aspra Spitia, Greece Posts: 28,122
    Athens 2006 / Milton Keynes 2014 / London 1&2 2022 / Seattle 1 2024 / Dublin 2024 / Manchester 2024 / London 2024
  • smile6680smile6680 Posts: 335
    Trying to solve the homeless situation is tough. Portland Maine (I live in a town just outside the city) is seeing an explosion of homeless people in it. I've always been in favor of policies that help out people in need. Portland in my opinion worked hard to try and develop city policies(allocating resources, outreach programs, etc.) in order to try to help people recover from homelessness. Unfortunately by doing so it has attracted ALOT of homeless people from out of state to come here.  This has caused people and including myself to wonder what to do going forward. It's hard when all the states and local agencies do things differently because it drives the homeless population to areas with more generous programs/policies. There is a relatively  large section of Portland  most people wouldn't feel comfortable walking in now and it wasn't like that even ten years ago all due to the large homeless population that has essentially taken it over. I would also suggest anyone who states homelessness  being a problem due the one political party or another is just flat out wrong. If you spend enough time volunteering/working at places such as  soup kitchens or women shelters you will find out quickly there are many people on both sides of the aisle that ignore and also embrace the struggles of the homeless. 
  • PapPap Aspra Spitia, Greece Posts: 28,122
    Athens 2006 / Milton Keynes 2014 / London 1&2 2022 / Seattle 1 2024 / Dublin 2024 / Manchester 2024 / London 2024
  • PapPap Aspra Spitia, Greece Posts: 28,122
    Athens 2006 / Milton Keynes 2014 / London 1&2 2022 / Seattle 1 2024 / Dublin 2024 / Manchester 2024 / London 2024
  • PapPap Aspra Spitia, Greece Posts: 28,122
    Athens 2006 / Milton Keynes 2014 / London 1&2 2022 / Seattle 1 2024 / Dublin 2024 / Manchester 2024 / London 2024
  • PapPap Aspra Spitia, Greece Posts: 28,122
    edited September 2020
    When we look at housing, a good example is what we're currently experiencing in Seattle, which is a housing crisis with rising homelessness. In fact, there is a housing crisis happening all over the country - apartments are either full or too expensive for people to afford, houses are difficult to rent and nearly impossible to buy, and when they do come up for sale, the bidding wars create false values that cause the entire regional market to become untenable for local residents. If you read the news from different parts of the country, you'll find that much of this unaffordable housing is the result of private equity groups who buy up entire blocks of houses and apartments, raising their rents as high as possible to get only the wealthiest people into their buildings. Where does that leave the folks who work hard, often for minimum wage (at the behest of those same wealthy landlords who want to drive down wages), and now can't find housing? If it is like Seattle, they'll end up in one of our many homeless tent communities, which have become our version of the favela. ~ Barrett Martin (The Way of the Zen Cowboy)
    Athens 2006 / Milton Keynes 2014 / London 1&2 2022 / Seattle 1 2024 / Dublin 2024 / Manchester 2024 / London 2024
  • static111static111 Posts: 4,889
    Pap said:
    When we look at housing, a good example is what we're currently experiencing in Seattle, which is a housing crisis with rising homelessness. In fact, there is a housing crisis happening all over the country - apartments are either full or too expensive for people to afford, houses are difficult to rent and nearly impossible to buy, and when they do come up for sale, the bidding wars create false values that cause the entire regional market to become untenable for local residents. If you read the news from different parts of the country, you'll find that much of this unaffordable housing is the result of private equity groups who buy up entire blocks of houses and apartments, raising their rents as high as possible to get only the wealthiest people into their buildings. Where does that leave the folks who work hard, often for minimum wage (at the behest of those same wealthy landlords who want to drive down wages), and now can't find housing? If it is like Seattle, they'll end up in one of our many homeless tent communities, which have become our version of the favela. ~ Barrett Martin (The Way of the Zen Cowboy)
    Yeah one way to help ease homelessness is to deflate the rent and over inflated real estate markets.  That’s really the main easy fix.   A lot of people will come out of the woodwork crying about loss of value of their investment portfolio, but this is a humanitarian crisis that needs long term solving and will take some short term pain.  I have a feeling that anyone that has a blase attitude about this stuff Has never had to work three jobs to pay all the bills and make ends meet .
    Scio me nihil scire

    There are no kings inside the gates of eden
  • PapPap Aspra Spitia, Greece Posts: 28,122
    Athens 2006 / Milton Keynes 2014 / London 1&2 2022 / Seattle 1 2024 / Dublin 2024 / Manchester 2024 / London 2024
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  • PapPap Aspra Spitia, Greece Posts: 28,122
    Athens 2006 / Milton Keynes 2014 / London 1&2 2022 / Seattle 1 2024 / Dublin 2024 / Manchester 2024 / London 2024
  • hedonisthedonist standing on the edge of forever Posts: 24,524
    Pap said:
    You had me at “cat” ;)
  • PapPap Aspra Spitia, Greece Posts: 28,122
    Athens 2006 / Milton Keynes 2014 / London 1&2 2022 / Seattle 1 2024 / Dublin 2024 / Manchester 2024 / London 2024
  • PapPap Aspra Spitia, Greece Posts: 28,122
    edited November 2020
    Athens 2006 / Milton Keynes 2014 / London 1&2 2022 / Seattle 1 2024 / Dublin 2024 / Manchester 2024 / London 2024
  • PapPap Aspra Spitia, Greece Posts: 28,122
    Athens 2006 / Milton Keynes 2014 / London 1&2 2022 / Seattle 1 2024 / Dublin 2024 / Manchester 2024 / London 2024
  • PapPap Aspra Spitia, Greece Posts: 28,122
    Athens 2006 / Milton Keynes 2014 / London 1&2 2022 / Seattle 1 2024 / Dublin 2024 / Manchester 2024 / London 2024
  • PJPOWERPJPOWER In Yo Face Posts: 6,499
    Pap said:
    Winter of love?
  • PapPap Aspra Spitia, Greece Posts: 28,122
    Athens 2006 / Milton Keynes 2014 / London 1&2 2022 / Seattle 1 2024 / Dublin 2024 / Manchester 2024 / London 2024
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