Street Roots’ Israel Bayer on moving Springwater camps: ‘Do it surgically’

“So, what do we do today? Do we need more shelters?

No, we do not. We need to maintain the shelters we have, but adding more shelters doesn’t get us anywhere.

For one, shelters are expensive. Number two. I would bet the farm that the vast majority of people on the Springwater Corridor wouldn’t access a shelter.”

I think he is touching on an important point here, that a large majority of the homeless is not really interested in having a roof overhead if it comes with the rules of conformity that society imposes. In this case, primarily no drinking, drugs, fighting, sex, etc.

I disagree with the sentiment “they won’t use shelters even if offered”. First of all, everyone deserves a choice, secondly not all of them are opposed to following rules if it gets them a roof over their heads. And as many have already stated, many couldn’t afford even “affordable housing” if and when its even available. Finally, some of the homeless have stated their opinion in shelter, this from a street roots article, written by a street roots vendor (not a direct link, cut and paste to your browser).

http://news.streetroots.org/2015/03/04/open-wapato-jail-homeless-tenants-own-dime

For all the terrible things I’ve heard said about Charlie Hales re: homelessness, this was refreshing to read:

It’s impossible for any mayor to get it completely right given the circumstances. It’s quicksand. I do think Charlie Hales has been courageous. Of course, that’s not a popular sentiment on either the left or the right. Still, it’s true. Things are moving on the housing front. Partially that’s the reality of the climate we’re in, partially that’s having a bold city council right now that’s delivering on housing policies that should have been set long ago.

No amount of camping is acceptable on spring water. It is dangerous to have people randomly pop out of the bushes with a bike, trailer, a dog and who knows what else in tow as cyclists are using this path for its intended use.

Imagine if people parked their Winnebago right on the shoulder of I-5?

The day they sweep the Springwater is going to be a day of historic chaos & violence in Portland. Bayer knows it and is trying to prevent a disaster. I wish him luck.

Camps pose major public health and environmental health problems. Not a good solution to normalize camping in parks/on paths and trails, for so many reasons. I’m not a little aggravated at Bayer saying “…if there are bad actors…” “If”? ??? Is there any question at this point that there is a significant problem on the Springwater and elsewhere due to “bad actors”? Really–there would be so much less friction between homeless advocates and Portlanders fed up w/ dealing with the “bad actors” if advocates like Bayer would admit it’s real and it’s a problem. Doesn’t have to take away from his message, and it is less crazy-making in general for all involved–esp. the peaceable, law-abiding campers.

I feel really, really bad for the homeless on the Springwater or wherever they may be, but they have only brought this on themselves. You can’t just ruin a park and expect people not to get upset. Have some respect. Have some dignity if not for your fellow man but for yourself.

If homeless people choose to live on the street while other options exist, than it is our choice to arrest, fine and exclude them.

There are a lot of reasons we have a homeless/drug crisis. There are a lot of solutions. But the fact of the matter is that we have people taking over spaces and causing problems for the majority of users so guess who always wins?
That is sort of how all societal norms work.