[Crosstimbers Okie]

I've been gone from central Oklahoma for the past 14 years. Coming back for visits I've noticed that the downtown area is overran with derelicts. It looks like a mass jail break from a half way house or a minimum security prison. And these are real derelicts, not OU students pretending to be derelicts because their Baby Boomer teachers taught them that being a derelict, sleeping in streets and eating out of garbage cans is cool.

Is there a new city ordinance authorizing deadbeats hanging around as a growth strategy? Maybe it brings in tourism? What's the strategy?

[StillwaterTownie]

Originally Posted by Crosstimbers Okie

I've been gone from central Oklahoma for the past 14 years. Coming back for visits I've noticed that the downtown area is overran with derelicts. It looks like a mass jail break from a half way house or a minimum security prison. And these are real derelicts, not OU students pretending to be derelicts because their Baby Boomer teachers taught them that being a derelict, sleeping in streets and eating out of garbage cans is cool.

Is there a new city ordinance authorizing deadbeats hanging around as a growth strategy? Maybe it brings in tourism? What's the strategy?

I don't know, but you'll find the same sad situation under some of the overpasses in Oklahoma City. They are possibly mental cases. Since mental illness is such a shameful stigma in Oklahoma, legislators do not believe more money should be legislated to help them out. If one can not overcome mental illness on his own, then that's tough.

The situation also reflects how Oklahoma is ranked one of the worst states to live in. It's gotten even worse than Mississippi. Report: Oklahoma one of America

[Crosstimbers Okie]

Originally Posted by StillwaterTownie

I don't know, but you'll find the same sad situation under some of the overpasses in Oklahoma City. They are possibly mental cases. Since mental illness is such a shameful stigma in Oklahoma, legislators do not believe more money should be legislated to help them out. If one can not overcome mental illness on his own, then that's tough.

The situation also reflects how Oklahoma is ranked one of the worst states to live in. It's gotten even worse than Mississippi. Report: Oklahoma one of America

Last month I was discussing it with a barber. Her shop is near downtown and she's been in business there since the early 1980s. Many Norman PD officers get their hairdos there. They tell her that law enforcement agencies in Texas share Texas's vibrant enrichment by purchasing Amtrak tickets for chronic dopeheads, recent prison discharges who don't have any form of supervised release to perform, and thugs who have finished their probation or parole. This explains why they hang around within walking distance of the Amtrak depot. The cops send them north because welfare benefits are more generous in Oklahoma than in Texas.

That's their story anyway. It reminds me of the story a friend told me of his days as an Edmond PD officer in the early 1990s. In fall they would round up all of the vagrants, dopeheads, etc. and give them a choice. They could spend the winter in the jail eating peanutbutter & jelly sandwiches, or the City would buy them a one way bus ticket to Miami. Most preferred to winter in south Florida.

One way to solve the problem is for caring & compassionate people to adopt at least one of these poor souls and provide them with a place to stay, clean clothes, and warm food. And entertainment. They'll need that too.

[Howest2008]

Originally Posted by Crosstimbers Okie

I've been gone from central Oklahoma for the past 14 years. Coming back for visits I've noticed that the downtown area is overran with derelicts. It looks like a mass jail break from a half way house or a minimum security prison. And these are real derelicts, not OU students pretending to be derelicts because their Baby Boomer teachers taught them that being a derelict, sleeping in streets and eating out of garbage cans is cool.

Is there a new city ordinance authorizing deadbeats hanging around as a growth strategy? Maybe it brings in tourism? What's the strategy?

I love it when I wake up in the morning and that guy from Kenya Africa is President of the United States of America.....

[StillwaterTownie]

Originally Posted by Howest2008

I love it when I wake up in the morning and that guy from Kenya Africa is President of the United States of America.....

That comment is 8 years too late.

[_redbird_]

When I was still working in prison, 50% of our general population was on psychotropics. It was even higher in the women's prisons.

And they tend to cycle while on the streets. They stop taking their meds and cannot be handled at home, so they wind up homeless.

They also have mental health alternatives to jail, similar to drug court. But who can "force" a mentally ill person to get treatment! Add substance abuse and the problem gets worse.

Buying them a bus ticket is like applying a band-aid where major surgery is required.

Working with the mentally ill is no picnic. Good to see Texas stepping up to the plate. <Sarcasm>

[grampaTom]

Originally Posted by Crosstimbers Okie

Last month I was discussing it with a barber. Her shop is near downtown and she's been in business there since the early 1980s. Many Norman PD officers get their hairdos there. They tell her that law enforcement agencies in Texas share Texas's vibrant enrichment by purchasing Amtrak tickets for chronic dopeheads, recent prison discharges who don't have any form of supervised release to perform, and thugs who have finished their probation or parole. This explains why they hang around within walking distance of the Amtrak depot. The cops send them north because welfare benefits are more generous in Oklahoma than in Texas.

That's their story anyway. It reminds me of the story a friend told me of his days as an Edmond PD officer in the early 1990s. In fall they would round up all of the vagrants, dopeheads, etc. and give them a choice. They could spend the winter in the jail eating peanutbutter & jelly sandwiches, or the City would buy them a one way bus ticket to Miami. Most preferred to winter in south Florida.

One way to solve the problem is for caring & compassionate people to adopt at least one of these poor souls and provide them with a place to stay, clean clothes, and warm food. And entertainment. They'll need that too.

Dubious claims

[Howest2008]

Originally Posted by StillwaterTownie

That comment is 8 years too late.

Yes it is but it felt so so so good...LOL...

You could put Barnyard animals into the Oval Office and given the right advisors , and cabinet members ( the good old United States of America ) will run just as smoothly as always.

It's the system that makes America great not the men in the Oval Office , and that's the reason why
not much difference is noticed between the great
Obummer and ( what's his name (?)...

[StillwaterTownie]

Originally Posted by Howest2008

Yes it is but it felt so so so good...LOL...

You could put Barnyard animals into the Oval Office and given the right advisors , and cabinet members ( the good old United States of America ) will run just as smoothly as always.

It's the system that makes America great not the men in the Oval Office , and that's the reason why
not much difference is noticed between the great
Obummer and ( what's his name (?)...

An interesting comment, but during happy hour with a friend, he said what really worries him is not Trump, but rather vice president Pence, if he becomes president from the result of Trump being impeached. He also thought it was interesting how Pence hasn't been speaking out to defend Trump of his controversies. With Pence, it's like just keep it up with your idiocy, and I can become president.

[Crosstimbers Okie]

Originally Posted by grampaTom

Dubious claims

I agree. I don't see people of compassion taking any of these poor souls under their wing.