120 homeless camps in DC...

[TheOriginalMexicanBob]

According to the New York Post there are over 20 Bidenvilles...I mean...homeless camps in DC. Now if we had a Republican President during this it would be front-page news in the mainstream media and a lead story on the mainstream broadcasts. The hypocrisy is palpable...but it always is when it comes to the Democrats and their whore media...but I repeated myself.

Bidenvilles

 

[StantonCree]

This isn’t news, been this way for a while. Has nothing to do with politics.

DC’s HUD is failing miserably, St. E’s closure was a mess. They all have mental illness and no place to go. Couple that with world kitchen feeding them 3 meals a day, drugs are plentiful, and they are now a protected class you have perfect conditions.

Nothing to do with Biden/democrats/liberals/etc , it’s a local issue that’s been home brewing for a while. Homeless advocates video their camps being demolished and have a hearts with no real working knowledge of the issues then chime in and rally their troops. Not to mention the revolving cycle of the government giving grants to non profits for clean needles, then the government (DPW) cleaning up those needles.

I do take care of one on a regular basis. He’s been homeless for 20 years by choice, no substance abuse, no mental illness, honest to god great guy. I always ask him what he needs, he says nothing but i bring him beans and batteries for his radio and book light. I’ve never asked but I’m positive he gets SSI.

 

[welder516]

It always has something to do with politics, worthless politicians degrading the society with lawlessness and drugs and the blind eye of acceptance of Godless vices.
Easier to okay or sanction it than help why people become addicted and provide answers.

Answers for the liberals is to ignore it.

 

[TheOriginalMexicanBob]

It generally only becomes an issue when a Republican is President...swept aside when the Dems are in power. If the Dems can't blame it on the GOP the problem either doesn't exist or is ignored until they believe it gives them some political advantage.

 

[StantonCree]

It generally only becomes an issue when a Republican is President...swept aside when the Dems are in power. If the Dems can't blame it on the GOP the problem either doesn't exist or is ignored until they believe it gives them some political advantage.

It’s a hot button issue at this current moment only because of this;

Residents respond to HUD report on failures at DC Housing Authority - WTOP News

 

[Afrikeber]

I’m sorry but there is a direct connection with the shutting down of mental institutions during the 80’s and the homeless population in the streets. Yes there is a substance and alcohol abuse component to that.

Prior to the 80’s you had hobos who just decided that was their preferred way of life or escaping something somewhere.

Not sure you can blame any politician for choices individuals make.

 

[TheOriginalMexicanBob]

Not sure you can blame any politician for choices individuals make.

Point taken…people are responsible for their own actions and choices…pretty much one of the foundations of the Republic. But politicians can and should be held responsible for their use of the homeless as pawns to increase their power and to expand the bureaucratic state to no benefit except for themselves.

And that has Democrat Party written all over it…not to give the GOP a pass…but the Dems all but own using others as pawns.

 

[John from MD]

This isn’t news, been this way for a while. Has nothing to do with politics.

DC’s HUD is failing miserably, St. E’s closure was a mess. They all have mental illness and no place to go. Couple that with world kitchen feeding them 3 meals a day, drugs are plentiful, and they are now a protected class you have perfect conditions.

Nothing to do with Biden/democrats/liberals/etc , it’s a local issue that’s been home brewing for a while. Homeless advocates video their camps being demolished and have a hearts with no real working knowledge of the issues then chime in and rally their troops. Not to mention the revolving cycle of the government giving grants to non profits for clean needles, then the government (DPW) cleaning up those needles.

I do take care of one on a regular basis. He’s been homeless for 20 years by choice, no substance abuse, no mental illness, honest to god great guy. I always ask him what he needs, he says nothing but i bring him beans and batteries for his radio and book light. I’ve never asked but I’m positive he gets SSI.

I used to do the same thing when I was on the job. People have no idea how much cops put out of their own pocket for the people they protect.

We didn't have as many homeless in those days thank God.

 

[CrueChief]

This isn’t news, been this way for a while. Has nothing to do with politics.

DC’s HUD is failing miserably, St. E’s closure was a mess. They all have mental illness and no place to go. Couple that with world kitchen feeding them 3 meals a day, drugs are plentiful, and they are now a protected class you have perfect conditions.

Nothing to do with Biden/democrats/liberals/etc , it’s a local issue that’s been home brewing for a while. Homeless advocates video their camps being demolished and have a hearts with no real working knowledge of the issues then chime in and rally their troops. Not to mention the revolving cycle of the government giving grants to non profits for clean needles, then the government (DPW) cleaning up those needles.

I do take care of one on a regular basis. He’s been homeless for 20 years by choice, no substance abuse, no mental illness, honest to god great guy. I always ask him what he needs, he says nothing but i bring him beans and batteries for his radio and book light. I’ve never asked but I’m positive he gets SSI.

I generally agree with most of what you have said here, with one exception. Who has been in power in DC for decades running the once great nations capital in the ground.......(D)

 

[StantonCree]

I generally agree with most of what you have said here, with one exception. Who has been in power in DC for decades running the once great nations capital in the ground.......(D)

True but i think that’s simplistic and doesn’t accurately reflect the myriad of issues causing the problem.

 

[beetles]

Closing St. Elizabeth's, just like closing D.C. General, was stupid and shortsighted decision. There was no adequate receiving facility to replace either, nor an effective solution to address the problems leading to the closures of both. It was mainly a "we can't keep doing things this way so we are going to quit" abdication. Add to that a couple of decades of property gentrification (I remember when Shaw was no-go, 14th St. was red light/street crime and much of Northeast was not so good either. That's all history. But redevelopment has made the city much less affordable for people who might have managed to be housed somewhere previously. Good for property tax revenue, bad for problems that require . . . taxes to fix. Funny how that works.

There are people who really are better off in long-term residential mental health institutions, where they are housed, fed, treated and protected. Doing that job correctly rather than abdicating doing that job altogether didn't really seem to get the traction it needed. Pretending that community alternatives would magically suffice was sadly reckless and poor governance, abetted by misguided advocates.

 

[Bertfish]

I do take care of one on a regular basis. He’s been homeless for 20 years by choice, no substance abuse, no mental illness, honest to god great guy. I always ask him what he needs, he says nothing but i bring him beans and batteries for his radio and book light. I’ve never asked but I’m positive he gets SSI.

Always confused by the willing homeless

 

[StantonCree]

Always confused by the willing homeless

You know I’m probably close enough with him now to ask but initially i don’t ask. I’m in a police uniform and i don’t want them thinking I’m there to mess with them.

Here’s all i know. He came from Texas like 20 years ago. Park police arrested him once for sleeping in the park. He’s 76 years old and looks 60. He his diabetes so i don’t bring him processed food he loves beans. He’s always friendly and the only thing he’s ever asked me for was to use my address cuz something he wanted to order couldn’t be shipped to a PO Box. He said he would give me the cash for the item, i just bought it for him. His birthday is this month so i give him a card with $100 in it every year. He doesn’t drink or use drugs. He’s very religious and I’ve never seen him panhandle. He likes to catch catfish for dinner too.

 

[John from MD]

You know I’m probably close enough with him now to ask but initially i don’t ask. I’m in a police uniform and i don’t want them thinking I’m there to mess with them.

Here’s all i know. He came from Texas like 20 years ago. Park police arrested him once for sleeping in the park. He’s 76 years old and looks 60. He his diabetes so i don’t bring him processed food he loves beans. He’s always friendly and the only thing he’s ever asked me for was to use my address cuz something he wanted to order couldn’t be shipped to a PO Box. He said he would give me the cash for the item, i just bought it for him. His birthday is this month so i give him a card with $100 in it every year. He doesn’t drink or use drugs. He’s very religious and I’ve never seen him panhandle. He likes to catch catfish for dinner too.

It's a bitch when you get attached to someone on the street. It's as painful as loosing a family member when they go. God bless you son.

 

[dieselfarmboy]

You know I’m probably close enough with him now to ask but initially i don’t ask. I’m in a police uniform and i don’t want them thinking I’m there to mess with them.

Here’s all i know. He came from Texas like 20 years ago. Park police arrested him once for sleeping in the park. He’s 76 years old and looks 60. He his diabetes so i don’t bring him processed food he loves beans. He’s always friendly and the only thing he’s ever asked me for was to use my address cuz something he wanted to order couldn’t be shipped to a PO Box. He said he would give me the cash for the item, i just bought it for him. His birthday is this month so i give him a card with $100 in it every year. He doesn’t drink or use drugs. He’s very religious and I’ve never seen him panhandle. He likes to catch catfish for dinner too.

Some people are on the straight and narrow, but just dont want to fit into what most people consider normal. Some days I think a life like his would be nice. Wake up with no stress of keeping clients happy, worrying about up coming bills, and so on.

 

[inkd]

You know I’m probably close enough with him now to ask but initially i don’t ask. I’m in a police uniform and i don’t want them thinking I’m there to mess with them.

Here’s all i know. He came from Texas like 20 years ago. Park police arrested him once for sleeping in the park. He’s 76 years old and looks 60. He his diabetes so i don’t bring him processed food he loves beans. He’s always friendly and the only thing he’s ever asked me for was to use my address cuz something he wanted to order couldn’t be shipped to a PO Box. He said he would give me the cash for the item, i just bought it for him. His birthday is this month so i give him a card with $100 in it every year. He doesn’t drink or use drugs. He’s very religious and I’ve never seen him panhandle. He likes to catch catfish for dinner too.

Does he need anything for the coming winter? Socks, hats or gloves?

 

[StantonCree]

Does he need anything for the coming winter? Socks, hats or gloves?

I’ll ask. I’ve gotten him coats and blankets before but honestly i think he’s good. He has “house” he built that’s insulated with those yellow FD blankets and heavy plastic. He built it from scrap wood.

 

[inkd]

I’ll ask. I’ve gotten him coats and blankets before but honestly i think he’s good. He has “house” he built that’s insulated with those yellow FD blankets and heavy plastic. He built it from scrap wood.

Hit me up if he needs anything. Seems like an interesting dude.

 

[gwchem]

There were tons of homeless in DC for decades, it's nothing new.

Actually, that can be said about every major city.

 

[randomuser]

I’m sorry but there is a direct connection with the shutting down of mental institutions during the 80’s and the homeless population in the streets. Yes there is a substance and alcohol abuse component to that.

Prior to the 80’s you had hobos who just decided that was their preferred way of life or escaping something somewhere.

Not sure you can blame any politician for choices individuals make.

I don't blame the politicians for the mistakes of individuals. I do blame the politicians for taking my tax dollars to be used to enable those who make poor decisions.