this post was submitted on 18 Jan 2025
310 points (93.3% liked)
shitprop
117 readers
575 users here now
founded 1 week ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
I've only ever reported homeless when they crossed the line.
I used to live near a creek in a city so homeless often line the banks and set up shelters in the trees against the back walls of the propertys along the creek. We had a gate so we had access to the creek if we wanted it (previous owner installed it). We had working relationships with the few guys that had built up against our wall. We left a hose running over the wall so they could have access to clean water. We asked them to be careful about leaving it running and we had a meter on the hose we could keep track of them using water. For years they were great. They would say hello if they saw in our backyard and they often thanked us for the water. If we ever had a party or anything we would make them plates or food.
Anyways for years all was well. Guys came and went. Some got jobs. Some just moved camps. But then someone started taking advantage of our kindness and they were using a lot of water (we suspect selling it to other homeless). Then they started hopping our back fence at night and trying to break into our shed. So finally we had to call the cops and get them moved.
You've nailed the problem.
There are 100s of acres around here to camp in. I walk around looking like a well-geared homeless person. Had a hunter start to fuck with me the other day, "You lost?" "Nope. I own a home up there, never been on this side of the trails. You lost?"
People fuck with the homeless just for being homeless, and that's fucking revolting. OTOH, I've been around them working downtown. I've known guys to bail on a perfectly good home because they couldn't handle being around other people, too mentally ill, but very nice men.
Had the homeless threaten to kick my ass 3 times in a single year for saying, "Sorry, don't carry cash." (And I don't.) Hell no I'm not taking my wife downtown without a concealed firearm. Do I want those people in my hood? Not in numbers, and only the few who "check out OK". Made me sick to type that last phrase.
"Give them money and a place to stay!" I'm all about it, experiments show that works. But what about the recalcitrant homeless? The ones for whom a "leg up" won't get it? The violent, mentally ill and addicted? Want those people near your home? Get some upvotes for calling me a NIMBY motherfucker. I stand by it.
Goddamned frustrating. I appreciate you having a sane take on the matter, not fucking with people "just because".
If you cant walk with your wife downtown in a us city without a firearm youre a coward that thinks the worst of people.