Here's a question .. Why so many homeless people in Seattle? (Sammamish: rent, credit)

[krieger00]

Originally Posted by fredj

Maybe your new communist commissioner could figure out an acceptable way to redistribute the wealth in your city. If you tax the rich 70 to 80 percent, you could create some great austerity programs to help the panhandlers. Some governments make it easy for a person to make a living being a panhandler. Panhandlers don't have to worry about health care and there are plenty of food stamps available. Why do you think that they choose to panhandle? Simple, it is easier than working full time and they make money by making feel guilty.

Committee to End Homelessness- King County

[Ronnie101]

Because unlike most United States metro areas
cops there tend to not be as bothered and uneasy
when it comes to street wanderers and people out of
work long term, hence why many homeless people
choose Seattle over most other places.

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by electroprince

That's a pretty good list. I just hate getting guilt tripped. I'm living on a tight budget myself so I couldn't see myself giving money to every bleedin' person. I'd be homeless too.

If someone wants to get off the streets, the first thing they need to do is stop begging on the street. Most money given to panhandlers is spent on alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes. Just walk on by - no guilt.

[Stonepa]

Originally Posted by Inkpoe

Have you been here before?

Every time I have out-of-state guests, that is the one thing that captures all their attention: The panhandlers here are intrusive/aggressive. Even the guests that are from the big cities in the East Coast and Chicago remarked about it. Its odd to them.

Absolutely right. Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, NYC, Minneapolis - their pan handlers have nothing on the aggressive street people in Seattle. That said, anchorage as of late has become a lot worse than Seattle. So that's something.

[revelated]

This should about explain why I don't give money to homeless, and they don't get aggressive with me.

[Hemlock140]

Walking along Elliot Ave under the 99 overpass yesterday there was a homeless guy next to the cyclone fence along the railroad tracks peeing. Facing the street, cars and pedestrians, not the railroad tracks! This morning in the same spot someone was sleeping (didn't try to see if the same guy) and a cop was sitting in his car right there. As long as their behavior is tolerated by the city, more will come.

[sashfo]

I'm currently in Seattle, on holiday from Scotland. When talking to a police officer yesterday, he advised me to not be out walking south of my hotel once it got dark. South of my hotel covers the monorail, lightlink rail stations, etc. Having seen the sheer number of homeless people out during the day, I'm not surprised. I've been to LA several times and had no problems, but I do not feel safe walking about this city (day or night) or getting a bus in the transit tunnel. Today, I was in Pioneer Square doing a walking tour that required me to use my phone to answer questions. There were several things I couldn't see due to large groups of homeless people congregating in that place, almost as if they were waiting for the unsuspecting tourist, and I felt very uneasy. There were police on horseback and cycling around, but they seemed to be avoiding these areas.

I'm normally very happy to get around by public transport when in a new city, but I'm definitely going to be taking the expensive option of taxi's while I'm here.

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by sashfo

I'm currently in Seattle, on holiday from Scotland. When talking to a police officer yesterday, he advised me to not be out walking south of my hotel once it got dark. South of my hotel covers the monorail, lightlink rail stations, etc. Having seen the sheer number of homeless people out during the day, I'm not surprised. I've been to LA several times and had no problems, but I do not feel safe walking about this city (day or night) or getting a bus in the transit tunnel. Today, I was in Pioneer Square doing a walking tour that required me to use my phone to answer questions. There were several things I couldn't see due to large groups of homeless people congregating in that place, almost as if they were waiting for the unsuspecting tourist, and I felt very uneasy. There were police on horseback and cycling around, but they seemed to be avoiding these areas.

I'm normally very happy to get around by public transport when in a new city, but I'm definitely going to be taking the expensive option of taxi's while I'm here.

The homeless are aggressive beggars but harmless otherwise. I walk from Westlake to the waterfront and back every day and take the bus home (to Sammamish) and have never felt threatened in 3 years. Most of the crime is people breaking into parked cars. We used to have free bus service in the downtown areas, since that ended you must ay to be on the bus and that has made them a lot safer. As for the police officer warning you yesterday, that was due to the protesters, who shut down Westlake Shopping center 3 hours early, they were trying to disrupt "Black Friday" shopping.

[CrazyDonkey]

99% of the homeless are harmless. Just walk tall and right on by. Realize that Seattle's homeless are drawn from a five-state area. Downtown Seattle, compared to many larger American cities, is pretty safe.

[intothelight]

I am sad when I - or anyone - judges the homeless people. Certainly, everybody's situation is different - nobody is obligated to help them. But surely, we can all at least try not to judge them. I talk to homeless people frequently. Everybody has a different story. I won't even say I believe all the stories. Not all of them are navy seals or have multi-million dollar fortunes stolen from them by their friend. However, pretty much all of them - have severe trauma in their life. Like more severe than most people deal with. Again, not all. One woman was completely shattered by the suicide of her mother. One man had nightmares for years from his war service before his mind broke. A man raped by his pastor when he was child. And then, yes, there are some that got into drugs, and it has them by the throat - making them willing to do anything. But I wonder - would I turn to drink if I were out in the elements on a night like this - or haunted by a past like theirs? Or how about 100 nights like this? Probably I would. I don't give money most of the time - but socks and handwarmers and some snack - I try to give those.

And aren't the acts of kindness that change us the ones we don't deserve? I know in my case they are. I'm more guilty than most. I judge too much, and give too little - but I hope that we all will at least try to treat them with the same respect and kindness we'd give to any other human being.