Panhandling ...Feeding .... Nuisance.... Solutions?
This week, it's the Downtown Development Authority complaining about the chronically homeless.
Last week, the downtown residents and the downtown merchants were crying foul about the homeless feeding camps taking place in downtown parks. They say the feedings are creating all sorts of problems, and they petitioned the Fort Lauderdale City Commission to move the chronic homeless out of the downtown, by designating feeding camps somewhere on the outskirts.
The City Commission
At this week's meeting of the DDA, they talked about the heavy - handed panhandling that has been unnerving customers throughout the downtown streets.( To hear Brittany Wallmans' report of the discussions, go here http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/broward/blog/ .)
So everyone's looking for solutions to this age old problem - how about this for a start ?
1.) First, we need to stop the cash flow! Develop a City Wide Program that attempts to stop folks from giving to the panhandlers. Other cities do that by locating donation meters on city streets. This way, folks can give, but the money goes towards helping the homeless, not fueling their substance problems.
These converted "parking meters" dot many city's downtown sidewalks with explanations that they are for homeless programs. Other signs ask pedestrians "please don't give to panhandlers", but to feed the homeless meters instead.
2.) Get more Homeless Social Service professionals on the streets. A portion of the homeless, even the chronically homeless, can be helped and persuaded back into society. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department has been recognized nationally for their programs that deal with the homeless, but their resources are very limited - beef them up!
Cops and the Homeless
3.) Get creative ! Start a new program that hires and trains Downtown Authority Ambassadors that can cover the streets of downtown, dressed in an official looking capacity, equipped with cell phones that merchants can call to report aggressive panhandlers. The Ambassadors can be trained to find beds for the homeless, gently encourage them to move along, or get Police to the scene quickly - if necessary.
4.) Think comprehensively. Just pushing them off here or there will not solve the problem. Let's become the model that other cities follow!
5.) Remember that soon it will be warm again up north, and the problem will slow to a trickle, until next winter!
Last week, the downtown residents and the downtown merchants were crying foul about the homeless feeding camps taking place in downtown parks. They say the feedings are creating all sorts of problems, and they petitioned the Fort Lauderdale City Commission to move the chronic homeless out of the downtown, by designating feeding camps somewhere on the outskirts. The City Commission
At this week's meeting of the DDA, they talked about the heavy - handed panhandling that has been unnerving customers throughout the downtown streets.( To hear Brittany Wallmans' report of the discussions, go here http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/broward/blog/ .)
So everyone's looking for solutions to this age old problem - how about this for a start ?
1.) First, we need to stop the cash flow! Develop a City Wide Program that attempts to stop folks from giving to the panhandlers. Other cities do that by locating donation meters on city streets. This way, folks can give, but the money goes towards helping the homeless, not fueling their substance problems.
These converted "parking meters" dot many city's downtown sidewalks with explanations that they are for homeless programs. Other signs ask pedestrians "please don't give to panhandlers", but to feed the homeless meters instead.2.) Get more Homeless Social Service professionals on the streets. A portion of the homeless, even the chronically homeless, can be helped and persuaded back into society. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department has been recognized nationally for their programs that deal with the homeless, but their resources are very limited - beef them up!
Cops and the Homeless
3.) Get creative ! Start a new program that hires and trains Downtown Authority Ambassadors that can cover the streets of downtown, dressed in an official looking capacity, equipped with cell phones that merchants can call to report aggressive panhandlers. The Ambassadors can be trained to find beds for the homeless, gently encourage them to move along, or get Police to the scene quickly - if necessary.
4.) Think comprehensively. Just pushing them off here or there will not solve the problem. Let's become the model that other cities follow!
5.) Remember that soon it will be warm again up north, and the problem will slow to a trickle, until next winter!
I like the idea of the meters, but it isnt going to stop the pan-handlers. Homeless shelters usually have rules and strict protocols for aiding the homeless, not to mention as the weather gets colder up North OUR homeless population increases. You can set your clocks by it. Many of these homeless shelters dont accept Convicted Sex offenders and there are plenty of those to go around. HB119 is going thru the House right now that has been reworked to include the "transient". Anotherwords while this forum is attempting to get a handle on homelessness our own House of Representatives are proposing to make "transient" another word for Homelessness acceptable. Its amazing that cities and legislators dont know what the other is doing until after the money is spent and another problem rears its ugly head. The people of Florida had better look at House Bill 119, because it effects EVERYONE. It effects how we deal with the Homeless and how we define just who they are. You will never stop Sean Coronie from Hollywood and his "Homeless Voice" panhandlers, which the majority of those guys are CONVICTED SEX OFFENDERS" so think about that the next time you roll down your windows to give your spare change.
Reply to this
Tim,
It's same shit, different day with the homeless. You're not saying anything different than all that was said when the HAC was being sited and built. Problem is. . . . . .who's LISTENING?
Your blog makes some excellent points. (1) STOP THE CASH FLOW (2) CREATE HOMELESS "GUIDANCE COUNSELORS", and, (3) BEEF UP SOCIAL SERVICES.
The thing is, only one or two of these things won't work. EVERYTHING is needed, all at once. First and foremost, however, is some sort of PUBLIC EDUCATION that helps people understand their role in the ongoing pan-handling problem WITHOUT turning them off to charitable giving. It's pretty hard for many people to face a desperate looking homeless person asking for a handout, and walk over to a parking meter and dump the change while getting a dirty look. THAT'S NOT WHAT DONORS ARE SEEKING. They want that feel-good, I-did-something-constructive-to-help feeling. And they want it as IMMEDIATELY as the pan-handler wants his dollar.
What about SELLING business cards to the Downtown business community, printed with the locations of social services for feeding, housing, clothing, legal aid, medical support, and/or employment information that the businessperson could place in the hand of the homeless pan-handler?
Reply to this
Tim I disagree about the meters. They are just a gimmick which will have no impact on the issue, but will cost taxpayers even more. Who installs them, who maintains them, who repairs them, who collects the money and where does it go( more admin. costs). And the bleeding hearts or sheeple who are intimidated by these bums will continue to give when asked.
It's pretty simple. Don't feed the bears.
But to be more to the point in addressing the issue, what needs to happen is greater enforcement. ReEstablish the DDA police squad. There was once a dedicated squad of officers whose assignment was the downtown area. Carve some officers out of the useless Street Crimes unit and put officers back in the downtown area so they can be pro-active and not reactive.
Second, re-open the city jail. When the city jail was open there used to be bum sweeps. They'd go away for a few days and eventually get tired of being locked up. The City would also be able to invite all the social services their hearts desired to offer their services to a captive audience, so to speak. Not to mention all the free labor that the city would get back. Remember the days of the orange jumpsuits doing work all around the city. How about two birds with one stone - locked up bums cleaning graffiti?
Reply to this
Tim, Some good thoughts
Reply to this
The "panhandlers" make more money in one day than I do working a full work. Something wrong with this picture for damn sure! I totally "refuse" to roll down my window to give any change to these "Bums."
If people would stop giving to them thinking they are helping them, than the "bums" would move onto somewhere else. (hopefully out of our city)
Reply to this
Always a never ending problem. The alchoholic drug addicts do not want help, they want money for their substance of choice.
1. don't give them money.
2.give them a non-refundable bus ticket to .....
3. start a kibbutz and put them to work, that's what they do in Israel
You can only help those who want to help themselves, and the hardcore homeless do not want to be helped. No money, to those who do not want to partake in the Homeless assistance Center.
Unfortunately you must use other means to move the hardcore folks out. No easy answers. Having lived on Lauderdale Beach, I have had my share in my pool, my bushes, naked, ....not fun.
Reply to this
We spend our summers in Montréal where there is a huge homeless population; although, they have an advantage because it gets too cold for the homeless in the wintertime so they come south. And vice versa, they leave here in the summertime because it is too hot and they go up to Montréal….We have spoken with some of them in Montréal and they confirm the fact that they move to Florida in the wintertime. Montréal has “meals on wheels” for them. The RVs go from one city park to another to help feed them. Also the city has plenty of shelters but according to the Montreal Police Department, most of the homeless insist on staying on the streets.
Also Montréal has the Meters in various locations throughout the city where people donate money. The city is also advising its citizens and the tourist alike not to give directly to the homeless, to donate at the meters instead.
Reply to this
Tim,
The current city manager does not have a history of supporting his employees. The employees of parks and rec and pd that normally deal with the homeless know that if the issue becomes political he will abandon them to the media and court system.
Until the CM shows some leadership in supporting city employess doing their jobs (within the confines of the law) it will be hard to get the support of the troops.
Remember George was the one quoted in the paper for giving a homeless person money for a bus ticket (which he did not have to do as there is a program in place to give them homeward tix for free)
Wait till the boatloads of refugees hit our shores ......
Reply to this
A Homeless Social Services is your best bet; the others sound like Rube Goldberg devices, about to collapse of their own weight. They work well in other cities? Take your word for it. But a social services could have people who get to know each homeless person and find out if he's (she's) really sick, or suffering a run of really bad luck, or just prefers the homeless life. If it's the first, shelter them. The second, help them get work, even if it's only picking up trash. The third? Help them get work, too.
Reply to this
Tim...I firmly believe we are treating these feeding groups differently than other groups who use our parks. Any group who wants to host something in our parks must first and foremost get a special events permit. This insures certain services, etc are in place prior to the event. And lets face it, these group feedings are events that should provide trash removal, supervision, etc. I believe this is a first step in at least the supervision of these feedings until the Commission decides differently. At least these feeding would have to be planned ahead and the staff & Commission would have the opportunity to review. As they are now, they're haphazardly handled! I had brought this suggestion up prior to my leaving but was naturally turned down by the City Attorney. How hard could it be to implement this step? The City currently requires it! If nothing else, it's the beginning of some oversight. By, the way...this is my first response to a blog!
Reply to this
LOCAL COUPLE SOLVES CITY'S HOMELESS PROBLEM!
Fort Lauderdale Civic Leaders Tim and Cindy Smith have offered to solve the City's homeless problem by providing bus transportation to their lodge in beautiful Helen, Georgia, where they will be offered temporary food and shelter until Spring.
This responds to all the objections to feeding and housing the homeless in either business or residential neighborhoods in Fort Lauderdale.
Their goal is to help the homeless who like "freedom" and do not want to be "confined" in an official shelter to complete their annual pilgrimage north after the winter.
Former Commissioner Tim Smith's goal is to establish a series of way-stations on the way back to the northeast by Spring. "It's kind of like the old underground railway for escaped slaves", Smith said.
He said the theme song of the effort is "King of the Road".
The Mayor of Helen, reached at Huddles, said it was no problem "as long as they stay up at Tim's place and don't mess up the river, if you know what I mean".
Michelle Obama will attend the ceremony or the boarding of the busses.
Reply to this
Yes, you are Mr. Wise Ass!
I do not appreciate that one like you would speak of Tim nor Cindy the way you have.
Both, Tim & Cindy are wonerful people who really care for the city which they live, very active in so many ways within the city & the community which they live.
What about you Mr. Wise Ass? Just exactly what do you do to better our city?
Reply to this
There is already a city sponsored "homeless task force" recently put in place to review not only the ideal solutions, but also the legally and financially feasible ones. They have not completed their work yet. Why don't we let them advance a little more before starting to second guess their recommendations?
We're like people making comments from the peanut gallery. Your blog article seems to me as a knee-jerk reaction to some of the first directions they have explored. It seems to me quite premature.
The task force has not claimed that they have come up with a definite fully detailed solution having all issues and mechanisms worked out and all problems addressed. They know that like with any program, checks and balances as well as controls need to be put in place, So why are we already chomping at the bit and raising all this drama and fear about some of the ideas they are still only "exploring"?
Let's table our criticism until they come out with their final recommendations. They will not get adopted without proper public debate. But for all we know, we are debating issues that are still only your speculation of their possible recommendations.
Reply to this
1) Aside from Salvation Army, HAC and others, please support HOPE CENTRAL in their wonderful efforts toward the homeless, they are located near Andrews and Sunrise in the former Methodist church facility.
2) Warning--lengthy response: We are a new Las Olas business, and in a state of shock over the situation with the homeless there and complete lack of adequate response from the city. I am more than willing to offer my expertise and suggestions to any governing body, having spent more than 25 years working amongst indigents, homeless, and the poor around the world, as a missionary doing economic development work. My first response was "Where are the beat cops??" There should never be tolerated the type of panhandling that is going on amongst the international tourists. NO ONE is on the streets to protect them (the tourists....cash flow for the city), tourists seem to be sincerely frightened while walking and encountering panhandlers and mentally ill, and NO ONE is in sight to help. I find this absolutely untenable. Having worked in communist China, with community 'street watchers' on all major streets, and the Philippines with local "barangay tanods" (local, deputized citizens with authority), I have no comprehension for the lack of law and order that exists in downtown Ft. Lauderdale, with the tax base that it has. Conversely, the only city officials I see are those that are being dispatched in the PARKING LOTS to give TICKETS to PAYING CITIZENS who are ENJOYING THEMSELVES TOO LONG in the business establishments, and have overstayed their time on the meters!! You can find a meter cop any time of the evening, fining the upstanding citizens spending their money in the downtown, but NO ONE on the streets curbing crime, including vehicles that won't stop for the pedestrians trying to legally cross in a crosswalk. It seems to me that the city has grossly misdirected their manpower and objectives and should reconsider EVER fining the vehicles that are supporting the downtown merchants in the parking lots, and instead keep the streets safe and pleasant, free from panhandlers, mentally ill, and vehicles that wont obey the STATE LAW that says they should STOP when a person has entered a cross walk.
Reply to this
#2 really hits the nail on the head. We are not using our tax dollars to be proactive with the homeless situation and waste the dollars on exactly the situations mentioned. The panhandlers would will stop when they are no longer allowed to panhandle---and that takes cops on the streets---so if it is an allocation of funds issue, then let's put funding where needed---and take it from where it isn't.
Reply to this
Dear Tim, Your non-solutions 1-4 make me think that you have spent too much time over the years in the company of politicians and bureaucrats. You might as well have suggested a "citizens blue ribbon committee", or a consultants white paper..... Here are some real solutions: Have the City form a new corporation, all property owners (city-wide)get shares based on their owned valuations, convey the downtown parks and Riverwalk to the new corporation. Enforce any new rules you like. Why are there bums in the Library, and not at the Museum or Performing Arts Center? Answer: controlled ownership..... When "everybody" owns something, nobody owns it. (I know this goes against your deeply held political beliefs, but you did ask for actual solutions)..... Likewise, in the Downtown, amend the ordinances controlling the public rights of way; reconvey the sidewalks to the property owners. Let the "public" right of way begin at the curb. Private property owners can then invoke trespassing on private sidewalks and private benches as they wish. There are no "transients" walking around in Bay Colony because they own their streets. It is possible that SE 4th Ave. between Las Olas and SE 2nd. Street (created by Stiles Corp. when they developed those blocks) was never deeded to the City, and that may be why the property owners there have more control..... When you try to solve a problem and arrive at a roadblock or contradiction, you must go back and examine your premise. In this case, you must examine your deeply held premise about what is "public" and what is "private".... I imagine that you do not have a "transient" problem on any property that you own.
Reply to this
Honestly this is my very first blog. I generally keep my opinion to myself. However when asked I always, usually always ,have strong opinions. I frequent the Main library downtown. I think it is a disgrace.To allow the taxpayer to feel threatened when attending a public service( for which I throw into the kitty ). To me this shows that either the council is busy infighting rather than coming up with useful decisions, or don't frequent locations the homeless have taken over and now run the show.Either way our public leaders need to begin with baby steps to deal with this situation.That is what they are in office to do. Deal with the tough stuff! The meter idea is a good beginning. Less handouts means less homeless. The homeless should be encouraged to, in an orderly fashion ,receive their meals and other services.This place for them should be clean, comfortable and have medical services. We do as much for the dogs and cats at the county pound. I think we all agree that we the people are the stewards of our country.The homeless, or hobos, bums called so when I was a little kid,have always come here for our weather. I am 56 so that was a while ago. This is nothing new folks! Now there is an indigenous group as well due to the economy. Our commission have seen many problems forth coming to our economy and have reacted accordingly. Now is the time for this emergency to receive their attention. What century are we living in? Are we so stupid as a society?
Reply to this
Let's make secure the the city will NOT send all those people to our already troubled residential area.....that are already super filled with private and public low income properties.....
Let's make secure that the city will not create more social services for problematic people around our schools and residential area..... It's not because we do not want to help is because we are saturated by them, and our residential areas are getting more and more look like ghettos.....
Reply to this
this has been a problem for as long as I can remember - 20 plus years ago Mayor Cox solution was to poison the dumpsters so the homeless couldn't eat the refuse - pretty draconian solution if you ask me.
I like your proactive approach - three great suggestions.
I predict as the economy continues in its current malaise & it will - the problem will worsen for the downtrodden and we will just continue to talk about it.
The DDA has some ability to shape change and since the business community continues to be at the forefront of the adverse consequences of the homeless perhaps they will consider implementing your suggestions
Reply to this
Dear Charlotte:
Yes, to the meters. No to ambassadors. Sends wrong message. Maybe something new that other cities could follow.
Proceeds from ALL confiscated items to be used to create "Crisis Academy," full-service == "go in homeless, come out rehabbed."
Medical/dental/psychiatric/accommodation provided and that means staff.
Obtain federal and state funding for teachers (life, and basics).
Let ALL "students" contribute their time to upkeep of Academy as a process of rehab.
Solicit corporations to provide funds, training, apprenticeships.
Create half cent business tax to add to those funds (since everybody will benefit).
However, this won't cover those who bus down to Florida from out of state, for which pass a law to prevent that with stringent fines.
These students could paint the water tower in Progresso!
=
Reply to this
This is an old argument. Back in the day of the HAC, there were suppose to be outreach vans that reached out. The point is that the DDA wants the homeless relocated but that means to other areas that may be your area or mine. Many communities have accepted things such as the HAC, Faith Farm, Salvation Army, Social Service Bldgs, etc.. The DDA's suggestion of the "outskirts" is BS. I prefer the idea of a campaign to educate the public & tourists not to give, an enforcement task force, & the City Jail. One thing we must face is that the chronic homeless is not going anywhere and it is what most Downtowns deal with. We looked at to Dade when we wanted to see how they were dealing with their homeless but have you been in Downtown Miami recently? It makes the DDA look like whinny wimps. Ft Laud is not so bad compared to Dade. We better thank our lucky stars that we are not as bad as they are. The DDA needs to know the "outskirts" deal with this already and our leadership just need to get serious about how they are going to deal with it.
Reply to this
Sarasota tried to simply legislate ordinances outlawing homeless camps in the city. Some magazine got a hold of the story and labelled Sarasota "The Meanest City in America". So instead of giving money to homeless people, put donations into a converted parking meter and let the city distribute the funds? really? really? That said, I do think panhandling should be outlawed. Sarasota county has such a law and I have cited it to those people asking me for money on the street.
Reply to this
First of all, as an owner of a business in Ft.Lauderdale, in an area that has drug dealers,users,prostitutes, and the like,I take it upon myself to NOT TOLERATE anyone loitering in front of my business. How about the business owners in the downtown doing the same???
Secondly,perhaps some signage in the areas where the homeless tend to panhandle informing seemingly good hearted folks not to enable them by giving cash-offer food,or other necessities for the truly needy....
My last suggestion is not going to be a popular one.
I happened to be on East Las Olas a few days ago,and passed several churches on some high priced parcels that are tax exempt-
Perhaps those faith groups would be willing to give back to those of us that do pay property tax's by shouldering the responsibility of providing feedings in their prospective parking lots....
Reply to this
First Presbyterian is one of those churches you are referring to, and they do "over and above" their 'fair share' for the poor in this city, just visit their Missions Dept or website and you will be astonished. Very tangible work and yes they provide food (from their kithcen to appropriate shelters), but there is no need to do it in their parking lot-thanks anyway.
Reply to this
Matthew 25:40. Have a Blessed Day. Thx. Peter
Reply to this
I think the meters are a great idea. I often find myself wanting to do something to help the real needs of the homeless, but am leary of giving money to someone who may possibly use it to worsen a substance abuse problem. What a great innovation!
Reply to this
As I think on this, I guess the one thing about the meters is that there is no direct connection to helping the homeless person who's staring you in the face and about whom you're worried doesn't have a place to lay his head for the night (more an issue up north, where you really wonder how some of these people are going to make it through the night alive.) It would be great if people had a well-publicized, perhaps signed phone number they could call and say, "hey, there's someone here and I think they need help," and someone would come right out and check the person out, make sure they knew where they could go for food and/or shelter, and even take them there. I guess the govt also needs to get more proactive to get the mentally deficient ones off the street. As for aggressive panhandling, I would say it needs to be treated like a simple law-enforcement issue; make sure the public knows when someone's crossing the line and their rights are being violated, and make sure the police are there to keep the bad actors in line.
Reply to this
I see two immediate issues re panhandling: aggressiveness and unsightliness.
In my experience, most panhandlers are pretty docile and will back off immediately when told to do so.
The aggressive ones who frighten people must be dealt with via the police, hopefully with persuasion, as jail is very expensive and may not help much anyway.
The other issue is unsightliness. Most people and businesses don't want the homeless or panhandlers around. They would rather let someone else deal with those in society who can't make it.
My experience with human conduct is that we will get more of whatever conduct we reward. If we give money to panhandlers, they will be encouraged and more people will do it. If the aggressive ones earn more, others will find out and become more aggressive. Thus, as long as panhandling is a profitable pursuit, it will continue. Hence, it is obvious that people should not give to panhandlers. If people do not give, panhandlers will find another way to get along. We may not like some of those other ways (e.g. burglary or robbery) but if we provide another way such as work opportunities and/or homeless shelters, we may be able to avoid the worst of the adverse side effects. But how do we get the word out not to give? That's the question.
Obviously, the long term solution must include programs to help people stop substance abuse, provide mental health counseling, work skill and work habits counseling, etc., but that requires more money, effort and time than we are typically willing, as a society, to devote to the down and out. Work must also be available if we expect people to work.
As you can see, I have no solution to the problem. But I am quite certain that if we don't pay them, they won't do it. And, if another way to survive exists, the unintended side effects may not be worse than the original problem.
Reply to this