Homeless in downtown parks? (Portland, Bend: hotel, camp, to live in)

[hamellr]

Originally Posted by xz2y

Are their homeless camps in Forest Park? Are officials trying to remove them, or are they tolerated since they are out of sight?

Yes, and they are actively discovered and removed. Park Patrol, concerned citizens, and the Portland Police all patrol the park. Many of the "hidden" spots near roads and trails are well known. There are undoubtably some people living in the park - very hidden. But only because they are in such remote parts of the park that they don't get discovered.

[Minervah]

Originally Posted by xz2y

Thanks for the link. Terrible story. I also read another story on that link about "price discrimination" at Target (charging more for the same items in different stores). I don't want to get off the topic of this thread, but I'm interested in that topic also.

Back to the issue of the homeless in Portland's parks, with the huge urban park in the city (Forest Park), I would think that many homeless are able to live there and not be caught, given the huge size. The wikipedia article about the park mentions crime: (link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_...rtland,_Oregon)

"Threats to the park include overuse, urban traffic, encroaching development, invasive flora, and lack of maintenance money. Occasional serious crimes and more frequent minor crimes occur in the park."

Are their homeless camps in Forest Park? Are officials trying to remove them, or are they tolerated since they are out of sight?

From time to time people try to live in Forest Park. They are not ignored once they are found. It is very dangerous for them and not particularly good for the environment. The authorities do not look the other way if they know people are living there but will roust them out. There are sightings of bears, deer and cougars in Forest Park. People trying to live there are taking their lives in their hands. You may hear of a father and daughter who successfully managed to live in Forest Park for four years and managed to elude the authorities but they were very lucky.

It is not a campgrounds and besides being dangerous for people, it is not exactly healthy for the environment.

[Steve Pickering]

Originally Posted by xz2y

... ... Are their homeless camps in Forest Park? Are officials trying to remove them, or are they tolerated since they are out of sight?

Yes, Yes, No.

[jwuk45]

One difference I've noticed with American homeless (or "homeless") and those in my home country, England, is that over there they don't approach you. They generally just sit in doorways with a sign, asking for change as people walk by. In America they actually go up to people and ask for money (usually accompanied by a bull**** story). I find it very obnoxious to have my personal space invaded so I generally get quite pissy with them. In Chicago some guy actually came and sat next to me in McDonald's and asked me to buy him a meal! I was dumbfounded and extremely annoyed. My response is always "sorry, I'm broke". Which is true, I make very low wages. If they're going to pursue things after that, they're basically calling me a liar and they can expect to be ignored or told to **** off. The most I'll usually do is give a cigarette, or if I get the genuine feeling someone is desperate and struggling, whatever small change I have.

[SETabor]

Originally Posted by xz2y

Thanks for the link. Terrible story. I also read another story on that link about "price discrimination" at Target (charging more for the same items in different stores). I don't want to get off the topic of this thread, but I'm interested in that topic also.

That happens in most chains. I remember going into a Freddy's near my work in Beaverton and looking at something but not buying it. I went to the Freddy's on Hawthorne and the same thing was $0.10. It doesn't seem like a lot in raw numbers but the item was about a buck or so to begin with. How much of that was due to higher costs (rent, real estate, regulations, etc.) and how much was just because they can, I don't know.

[xz2y]

Originally Posted by jwuk45

One difference I've noticed with American homeless (or "homeless") and those in my home country, England, is that over there they don't approach you. They generally just sit in doorways with a sign, asking for change as people walk by. In America they actually go up to people and ask for money (usually accompanied by a bull**** story). I find it very obnoxious to have my personal space invaded so I generally get quite pissy with them. In Chicago some guy actually came and sat next to me in McDonald's and asked me to buy him a meal! I was dumbfounded and extremely annoyed. My response is always "sorry, I'm broke". Which is true, I make very low wages. If they're going to pursue things after that, they're basically calling me a liar and they can expect to be ignored or told to **** off. The most I'll usually do is give a cigarette, or if I get the genuine feeling someone is desperate and struggling, whatever small change I have.

I think we all respond differently when approached by homeless asking for money. It's hard to distinguish between the real "down and outs" and the "professional panhandlers." Years ago I did some volunteer work with the homeless here in SE MI, and the truly homeless are in general (other than the mentally ill) not as aggressive when panhandling. And they usually take "no" for an answer. On the other hand, the pros who come to town to rip off people, carrying signs and making up sob stories, are far more aggressive.

I've been approached in parking lots going from a store to my car, which starts by asking directions from someone walking through the lot, and when I stop at a distance and give them cursory directions, it usually doesn't end there. They come closer and keep walking toward my with me car. At that point, I stop (not near my car) and tell them to move on. In the past, I have even walked back into the store to get rid of them. This can be scary. My last experience involved a young kid asking the directions, while the adult was sitting nearby waiting in the parked car. I guess the thinking is that people are more likely to talk to a young kid rather than an adult....anyway, my guard was up. He kept asking for directions to the same place over and over, so that was an immediate flag.

When I bought my new computer at an Apple store here this summer, I asked for an escort to my car. Imagine an older solo female walking to a car in a large shopping mall parking lot with a paid for imac! Not too much of a target! There weren't any bags to put the imac box into. It's a huge box! Anyway, the Apple store was really nice about it and they brought my imac to the front entrance of the mall, and I drove over and loaded it into the car. Much safer. It could be homeless roaming parking lots or "pros", but in any case, I wasn't about to take any chances.

[Crusoe]

Originally Posted by hamellr

If we could crack down on the panhandlers, especially those sitting by off ramps, things would get better.

Came off the ramp from West Linn to O.M.S.I. a few months ago almost hitting someones home. Some guy set up his tent ON the street across from the party depot building. O.M.S.I. security does a great job of keeping their grounds safe and clutter free from beggars, thefts. Did anyone see that boat moored in front of the O.M.S.I. sub.? HA, the owner threw down pallets, propped a barbecue, made himself a deck to go with his battered craft. Pretty ingenious. They towed him or something a few weeks into his stay.

[Steve Pickering]

River Shanty's now have a stay limit in Oregon.

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by Priscilla Martin

If my property tax bill is as high this year as it was last year, ($15,000), I may be joining them. I hate writing that check every year.

Holy crap! Your property tax bill is over 10x mine. Are you stuck there, or can you move someplace more sensible?

[hamellr]

Originally Posted by Crusoe

Did anyone see that boat moored in front of the O.M.S.I. sub.? HA, the owner threw down pallets, propped a barbecue, made himself a deck to go with his battered craft. Pretty ingenious. They towed him or something a few weeks into his stay.

You're allowed to stay at those docks, and the ones a bit further north up to two weeks at a time. As far as I can think of, they are the only two free to use docks on the Willamette River.