Here's a question .. Why so many homeless people in Seattle? (Vancouver: crimes, high school)

[sekhmet1974]

Originally Posted by MattFromGA

Finally, I will say that I found myself asking "what is happening to America" several times the first few days I was here. I hope this "hip-hop" lifestyle and attitude doesnt keep growing because a country cant be great if most people are looking for basic service industry jobs.

Seriously, WHAT TF are you talking about? You seem to have a very skewed and biased perspective not at all based on any kind of reality.

Originally Posted by IrmaVep

At the time I asked a friend of mine (who lived in Seattle until recently) via Facebook why there was so much panhandling in Seattle and she replied:

"As for the homeless people, I think they are just more visible in Seattle, maybe because they don't have to worry as much about being beaten up as homeless people in other American towns do. Plus, there's a lot more people walking around in Seattle than most other cities, so more opportunities to panhandle."

I can't agree with this assessment, although I can't offer another explanation as to the why. I grew up in the DC area, now live in NYC and have been to SF and LA on several occasions--**FAR** more people walking the streets (especially in NYC!!!) and besides SF, none of them are as aggressive...NYC homeless are not aggressive (so far anyway) at ALL, I have seen almost none. So if you are going by population and people walking around as to say opportunity accounts for the aggressiveness, that theory is by my experience, which is plenty, completely invalid.

[Bill Loney]

An important component to this issue, is the history of homelessness in Seattle. It is by no means a recent phenomenon.

[LookinForMayberry]

First, Seattle is built on a history of bums. Skid row originated here.

Second, too many people come here with too little resources thinking they will find work, a place to live, etc and it's expensive and the jobs don't really cover the costs of living here for many of the service jobs that under-skilled people can get.

Finally, there's no laws about vagrancy, public drunkenness, or urination. However, there are laws about sleeping on benches.

[IrmaVep]

Originally Posted by sekhmet1974

Seriously, WHAT TF are you talking about? You seem to have a very skewed and biased perspective not at all based on any kind of reality.



I can't agree with this assessment, although I can't offer another explanation as to the why. I grew up in the DC area, now live in NYC and have been to SF and LA on several occasions--**FAR** more people walking the streets (especially in NYC!!!) and besides SF, none of them are as aggressive...NYC homeless are not aggressive (so far anyway) at ALL, I have seen almost none. So if you are going by population and people walking around as to say opportunity accounts for the aggressiveness, that theory is by my experience, which is plenty, completely invalid.

To be honest, I wasn't completely convinced by my friend's explanation, however not being from there means I can only speculate as to the reasons why. Reading through the other posts here, it sounds like a combination of factors can be attributed to the number of Seattle homeless - lack of laws against panhandling, the appeal of mild weather, history and people falling on hard times after moving to the city.

[toughguy]

I concede that the homeless problem is getting worse and is perhaps one of the worst in the country (although as others have mentioned, it seemed way worse in San Francisco during my visits), but I guess I am so jaded that I just don't really notice them as much as a tourist would. Apparently I don't really look like a victim, because I am not solicited that often, and if I am, its just a "sorry bro" and the interaction is over.

The people I find to be far more annoying and aggressive are the relentless direct dialog petitioners..those people can die in a fire.

[AlohaHuey]

Originally Posted by MattFromGA

Finally, I will say that I found myself asking "what is happening to America" several times the first few days I was here. I hope this "hip-hop" lifestyle and attitude doesnt keep growing because a country cant be great if most people are looking for basic service industry jobs. I know its dramatic thinking, but that is my general reaction to walking around downtown during the day and seeing what I see.

The cluelessness of this post pins the Ridiculous Meter.

First time in the Big City, huckleberry?

[AlohaHuey]

Originally Posted by LookinForMayberry

First, Seattle is built on a history of bums. Skid row originated here.

Second, too many people come here with too little resources thinking they will find work, a place to live, etc and it's expensive and the jobs don't really cover the costs of living here for many of the service jobs that under-skilled people can get.

Finally, there's no laws about vagrancy, public drunkenness, or urination. However, there are laws about sleeping on benches.

Seattle was not "built on a history of bums" just because the term "skid row" originated here. Seattle is a boomtown, thanks to the Klondike Gold Rush.

There are laws against public urination. They may not be enforced to your liking, but they exist. You can try and outlaw homelessness, but most of Seattle is too compassionate for that.

[noexcuseforignorance]

It's warm. Contrast Seattle with states with an actual winter. Being homeless in Minneapolis can be lethal. Not so much in Seattle.

[FlyiMetro]

Originally Posted by electroprince

Any answers? I don't think it's even as bad as NY. But I can't stand being hassled for money all the time. I'm empathetic, but it's annoying and one thing I really don't miss moving back ..

Ask them if love wet unicorns with steak sauce!! It always works for me.

[JesseJB]

Its funny to ask them for change right when theyre about to ask you.