Phoenix Homeless Problem not as bad as other big cities (Mesa: real estate, apartment)

[YAZ]

Spent a weekend downtown last June. First time since the pandemic, 2019. We say that a lot now, eh? "Since the pandemic."

Typically, we go DT for a ballgame or a show...spend two nights, walk around, have some adult beverages, etc. It's always fun and generally a good crowd.

In the past, we've ran into a few hobos here and there...it wasn't prevalent and didn't feel threatened.

Last June?

To say they're not DT is saying that you're not looking. They're ubiquitous. Everywhere. They'll follow you. Walk past a blind alley...you'll smell the homelessness. Broad daylight. Bus stops, park benches, hotel parking garage, etc.

I think it's too late.

We're the epicenter of meth & counterfeit opiates.

[YAZ]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

Phoenix has a massive homeless problem. Anyone who does not think so has not been paying attention. What was once a street or two by Madison is now blocks and blocks of city streets full of druggies and tents and human waste and trash. It will be interesting to see what happens now that a judge has ordered Phoenix to remove the encampments by July.

Drove west on Broadway from 16th St to 7th Ave the other day. The Zone has grown. I-17 & Peoria. Underpass has a minimum of 10 people living there every day. Dunlap & 35th Ave is a war zone. Fry's at 35th Ave & Peoria is NOT a safe place to shop.

Zombies every day at the Fry's 43rd Ave & Cactus.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by kell490

Only going to get lot worse as lot of people who are on social security are being evicted from trailer parks. Those trailer parks were the last place someone could have little place of their own on social security.

I disagree. The typical homeless living in those tent shanty congregations has a massive amount of mental illness combined with drug addiction. The homeless you are talking about might end up in their car.

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

Phoenix has a massive homeless problem. Anyone who does not think so has not been paying attention. What was once a street or two by Madison is now blocks and blocks of city streets full of druggies and tents and human waste and trash. It will be interesting to see what happens now that a judge has ordered Phoenix to remove the encampments by July.

I'm glad you mentioned the judge's order as I was thinking it might be from the notoriety the issue gained after it was front page news on the NY Times, which I posted about in here on 19 March. I tend to think there are very few pure coincidences at this level of play.

[john3232]

Originally Posted by YAZ

Spent a weekend downtown last June. First time since the pandemic, 2019. We say that a lot now, eh? "Since the pandemic."

Typically, we go DT for a ballgame or a show...spend two nights, walk around, have some adult beverages, etc. It's always fun and generally a good crowd.

In the past, we've ran into a few hobos here and there...it wasn't prevalent and didn't feel threatened.

Last June?

To say they're not DT is saying that you're not looking. They're ubiquitous. Everywhere. They'll follow you. Walk past a blind alley...you'll smell the homelessness. Broad daylight. Bus stops, park benches, hotel parking garage, etc.

I think it's too late.

We're the epicenter of meth & counterfeit opiates.

..In 2022, over half of the fentanyl pills seized by DEA agents were seized in Arizona, meaning the state is a major distribution site.
https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/ov...ews-conference

[BugsyPal]

Originally Posted by john3232

My guess is unless the city can show enough shelters/beds are available for those on the street the court battles will continue.

Phoenix had taken the position that it cannot cite people for violating public camping laws because of a 9th Circuit Court decision saying a municipality cannot criminally cite people for sleeping on public property if they have nowhere else to go. The judge said the city misinterpreted the ruling.

The reluctance to remove the homeless from The Zone left business owners and residents with no choice but to sue the city.
https://www.abc15.com/news/local-new...and%20violence.

Business owners and upright citizens of Phoenix, AZ, you have my sympathies.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/19/u...elessness.html

[BugsyPal]

Originally Posted by locolife

This is a US problem, it's generally much worse in most other big cities but you're right this is a society problem not an Arizona or Phoenix problem. Sad state we're in.

True, true.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAWzAFNiTxY


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RCMWsjX8YM



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5sNUFpNvZ0



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXIp75uV8us

[timothyaw]

Originally Posted by BugsyPal

Business owners and upright citizens of Phoenix, AZ, you have my sympathies.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/19/u...elessness.html

NY needs to look in its own backyard and report on the rampant homelessness, crime and the many other issues there first before looking at other cities

[john3232]

This interviewer talks with those living on the street in downtown Phx. One of the first questions asked is, "How did you end up on the streets?" And most are there because of poor life choices.
https://www.youtube.com/@LostInPhoenix

Now, in order to shut down the "Zone" the city of Phoenix will need to provide shelter and enough beds for those living there. If the city doesn't do this they can forget about closing the area. The 9th circuit court won't allow it.

If an individual is homeless because they lost their housing for reasons outside of their control – Phoenix rightfully needs provide the resources to help. However, I suspect it won't matter what city services are offered – most living inside the Zone will refuse them.

But if the city can show it has enough *shelters/beds they should be allowed to shut it down and clean up the area.

And where will those sleeping in tents or on the sidewalk go? I don't know. However, if help is available and a person refuses it... that's on them.
.
As far as those mental health issues- let's see how the courts rule in NY.
https://www.thecity.nyc/2022/12/12/2...alth-nypd-plan




*Security, portable toilets/showers will be needed and won't come cheap but will be worth it to shut down the "Zone."

[locolife]

Originally Posted by YAZ

Spent a weekend downtown last June. First time since the pandemic, 2019. We say that a lot now, eh? "Since the pandemic."

Typically, we go DT for a ballgame or a show...spend two nights, walk around, have some adult beverages, etc. It's always fun and generally a good crowd.

In the past, we've ran into a few hobos here and there...it wasn't prevalent and didn't feel threatened.

Last June?

To say they're not DT is saying that you're not looking. They're ubiquitous. Everywhere. They'll follow you. Walk past a blind alley...you'll smell the homelessness. Broad daylight. Bus stops, park benches, hotel parking garage, etc.

I think it's too late.

We're the epicenter of meth & counterfeit opiates.

It may feel that way but it's bad everywhere, we're not even in the top 10 worst states.

https://www.usnews.com/news/health-n...crisis?slide=8