Do the homeless truly bother you? (Burns: closing, wage, to live in)

[Winnyard Bletch]

The homeless have bothered me. One tried to kill my wife with a saw, because I did give him change.This man needed more than spare change.
In other news: NOT EVERYONE WHO APPEARS HOMELESS ACTUALLY IS. In a town where one can make a living begging, many people do exactly that. A man in my neighborhood stands outside the convenience store and literally cries because he is "so hungry." When the marks are gone, he eats his hot dog and pulls out his wad of cash to pay for his 40oz.

[Yankeemama]

Originally Posted by oldtintype

I'm female with kids and have never been bothered. The Pearl's a big place too I think the area you're referring to is closest to Burnside where you're likely to get more street kids since it borders downtown, but even so, I've never had anyone say anything to me when I say, no, sorry and move on.

With that said, the police have hit the area under 405 hard where there has been a lot of more thuggy homeless people hanging out. This is the crew I believe you're talking about--not the down and out and/or mentally ill crowd but the young criminal element--as evidenced by the giant pile of bike parts and frames they have near their camp, and dealing drugs and breaking into cars at night. I have TONS Of compassion for homeless people but I have zero for this group as they ride around on BMX bikes with giant back packs and look into car windows at night then smash them if they see anything of merit inside. I caught them in the act not long ago. These guys are bad bad news and should be run out. Police have been all over it the last few weeks.

But for the people who have mental health issues and truly are struggling, again, I have tons of compassion for them and hope they find services.

Good points and helpful information. Thanks!

[misfitz]

Originally Posted by oldtintype

And no one ever bothers me or says anything to me in those same areas. Wonder what the difference is?! I just say sorry and move on. No one has ever said anything to me after that (and I've got the kids with me too).

I think saying they threaten people all the time in the Pearl is a stretch...I'm not doubting your experience, just wondering why some people are bothered/harassed more than others!

I think some people just have a more friendly, approachable demeanor than others. I have a friend like this, she's very bubbly and outgoing, and she gets approached fairly often by, er, strange characters. I, on the other hand, am more of an introvert - I like to joke that I walk around with a big neon "don't **** with me" sign on my forehead. And people tend to leave me alone for the most part LOL.

If I had to break it down, I'd say my friend is usually smiling and makes eye contact, while I'm usually wearing a serious expression and avoid eye contact with strangers for the most part.

Edited to add: Oh, and we are both females with no children.

[freemkt]

Get a job, sha na na na, sha na na na na
Yup yip yip yip yip yip yip yip
Mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm
Get a job
Sha na na na, sha na na na na

When I see them mooching
I want to kick their ***

And my girl never fails to say,
Why don't they go get a freaking job?

[KJoe11]

Originally Posted by freemkt

Get a job, sha na na na, sha na na na na
Yup yip yip yip yip yip yip yip
Mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm
Get a job
Sha na na na, sha na na na na

When I see them mooching
I want to kick their ***

And my girl never fails to say,
Why don't they go get a freaking job?

sounds like someone is celebrating Oregon's pot law

[redguard57]

They're somewhat worse in Portland than other cities, but not as bad as Seattle or San Francisco. I've never gotten into a serious altercation with one. The worst I ever experienced was a homeless guy in Chicago who kept harassing me even after I gave him a dollar - he thought I looked rich enough to give him more.

I've gotten off at that bus stop after the Burnside bridge multiple times while carrying my laptop bag and no homeless person harassed me. There are large numbers of them around there and the area kind of smells.

That said, I think they are a nuisance in any city.

I would gladly pay more taxes if they'd use the money to build mental institutions or rehab centers for these people.

[ccjarider]

Originally Posted by redguard57

I would gladly pay more taxes if they'd use the money to build mental institutions or rehab centers for these people.

Wouldn't it be cheaper for the PDX taxpayer to buy one way bus tickets to San Francisco? Put these guys on the bus and make it known that is what will happen if you come here and make trouble. Hell just charter the busses and get it over with.

Seems to me to be a quicker, cost effective and probably with better results.


I recall living in midwest when Chicago police would put these guys on the Metra train out to the suburbs.

[Metlakatla]

The city of San Fransisco sued the state of Nevada for that, so it's probable that it wouldn't be a cost-effective option.

[rzzzz]

A pretty typical american response - pass the buck onto someone else. And they say portland isn't representative of 'real america.'

[pdxMIKEpdx]

Whoever said it was has their head up their you know what!