Comments on: Homeless Panhandler Problem–Any Ideas?

By: Judy Taylor

Judy Taylor — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 19:00:52 +0000

My heart aches for anyone that has lost his/her home. Unfortunately it’s happening more and more now. BUT, I do know Boise has several shelters that offer food, showers, laundry, clothing, and beds to those that choose to take the help. I also donate to the Idaho Food Bank even though I am on a fixed income. However, I have to say my dislike for the panhandlers standing at every entrance to the local grocery stores with their crumpled cardboard signs has started to harden my heart. I have recently had them walk up to me in the parking lot and ask for money. I DON’T like it and I NEVER give them so much as a penny. The city needs to start a tough crack down of these regular beggars and put an end to constant intimidating harrassment.

By: Pablo Hernandez

Pablo Hernandez — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 14:22:43 +0000

Perhaps a deposit on cans and bottles such as Oregon has will help the panhandler problem. The panhandler can have their plastic bag out for people to place their throwaways, the panhandler can then return the cans and bottles for cash. Thus supporting themselves. Sounds a bit silly at first, but at least a public service would be accomplished.

By: Grumpy ole guy

Grumpy ole guy — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 04:11:30 +0000

I like what Bikeboy has to say about there not being A homeless problem or population; but, several of them, based on the variety and type of causes. I think that if there could be some sort of day-labor place or places where those who really are willing to work for food could gather and people or businesses which would like to hire some short-term employees could do so, it might ease a part of the problem. I am always suspicious of the folks with signs at the large stores, small malls, it appears to me that they are really looking for a hand-out.
Warm weather is a time of yard work and I am certain that many would appreciate being able to hire one or a few people to do specific jobs, if they had some sort of means or reassurance that these workers were ‘safe to hire’. Trust is in such short supply.

By: dog

dog — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 05:26:37 +0000

The city needs to have a local excise tax on fortified beer and wine. This is the the stuff the drunks buy and consume in the parks and gladly sold by some of Boises finest merchants. The money could be used to help run the de-tox center. Also, bottled water should be taxed. I see empty and half full bottles of water everywhere. What a luxury for a bloated society to be able to buy water in a bottle! Haven’t herd of anyone dying of thirst around here.

By: cyclops

cyclops — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 02:03:53 +0000

Will, as long as the church and the interfaith sanctuary supports illegal emigrants and supports the same, not a chance as far as volunteering is concerned.

By: Will Rainford

Will Rainford — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 17:48:35 +0000

I wonder how many people who pontificate about people who are homeless have ever volunteered in the local shelter for a period of time. Look through the eyes of other people, understand their lived experiences, think critically, and arrive at solutions that fit the issues.

I highly recommend volunteering at Interfaith Sanctuary!

By: bikegirl

bikegirl — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 17:03:49 +0000

I was at Ann Morrison park with my 3 year-old niece this weekend and we were harassed by two extremely drunk and extremely smelly men near the main footbridge. They followed us both times as we crossed the bridge and continued to try and ask my niece questions even though I politely answered for her once and then tried to continue on with our walk.

They also relayed a story about how their friends said they were going to “go down to the river and have a beer.” Obviously drinking on the greenbelt hasn’t stopped.

I don’t know these mens’ stories or how they ended up where they are, but I know it made me feel very uncomfortable about having my niece at the park. I felt like I needed to have one hand on her at all times.

By: A Reader

A Reader — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:51:30 +0000

There is no problem. I’m downtown all the time and while there are a couple of homeless folks here and there, they certainly don’t pester passers-by. Anyone who things Boise has problem homeless folks hasn’t lived in a big city.
I ride the greenbelt two to six times a day, right near downtown, and typically alone. I have yet to be hassled by a homeless person.

By: Kappa TA

Kappa TA — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 13:30:02 +0000

A few years ago, I worked for a small, non-profit organization in Boise. When extra help was needed for cleanup, lifting equipment and other jobs the staff couldn’t do, my then boss turned to the Rescue Mission and paid more than minimum wage for a work crew, provided them with lunch and transportation and made them feel useful and important. This is something other businesses and agencies, such as the parks department, could do to help those less fortunate.

By: Porcupine Picayune

Porcupine Picayune — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 12:52:57 +0000

Many communities have adopted a program where citizens are provided access to and encouraged to give to the homeless “coupon like” handouts that provide information about the assistance programs available.

The newly arrived and truly needy are usually very grateful, and the “Professional Homeless” show their true colours by rejecting them (and usually sharing an epithet-or-two).

An unfortunate truth is: “If you build it they will come”.

The more asstance programs and shelters we build, the more Professional Homeless that will migrate to Boise. As a “Program Tech” @ the old Community House, one of my jobs was to conduct “Intake Interviews”.

Of people who had newly arrived in Boise (or at least had out-of-state I.D.) we would ask what brought them to Boise.

I would often hear from the Professional Homeless: “I was staying at the shelter in so-and-so and heard that Boise’s was much nicer”

For more about the “Professional Homeless”: http://theboisepicayune.blogspot.com/2008/10/professional-homeless.html