Notes by Norse: Service-providers are now urging the homeless not to dumpster dive (stealing from stores does provide a larger and more sanitary selection), drink in public (bars may be more expensive but they’re so much more fashionable), or urinate in public (public restrooms, anyone? anywhere?). More helpful manner tips from those who just need a little less reality therapy and a little more Disneyland North. After all, we are in a recession–remember to support your local business owner!
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/north_bay&id=9049190
San Rafael asking homeless to help reduce complaints
The paper map was developed by the police department and St. Vincent de Paul where hundreds of homeless people eat every day. It will be used as a tray liner. It also contains a list of things not to do.
As a man picked through trash containers along Fourth Street in Downtown San Rafael, another homeless person walked a bike with his belongings at an intersection. Those things are mild in comparison to what some homeless people have done at some places.
“Yeah, you get people who come and want to do drugs in the bathroom. They really kind of have an independent attitude out here. They kind of do what they want to do,” said Louis Murillo, a coffee shop barista.
So now after complaints from residents and businesses, San Rafael has developed a map with so called “hot zones” — areas near Fourth Street and Lincoln Avenue where police answered hundreds of calls over the past year. The city is asking homeless people to stop dumpster diving, avoid using sidewalks as a bathroom and to stop drinking alcohol in public, suggesting they go to a bar instead.
“Here’s a couple of spots where we’re having some issues right now. It could change. Next month, maybe it could be one of the parks where there is some more increased illegal activity or negative behaviors and to encourage people to take personal responsibility,” said Margo Rohrbacher, the San Rafael Police Department spokesperson.
The hot zone maps are being used as tray liners at the St. Vincent de Paul dining hall which serves about 700 meals every day to homeless men and women, a number of whom struggle with alcohol and mental issues.
“Whether it works in terms of people not being at those locations is questionable, but the success around it is starting the conversations about what is appropriate behavior in public,” said Suzanne Walker, from St. Vincent De Paul.
Residents are hoping for positive results.
“I think it is a step in the right direction cleaning up the streets. I don’t know if it’s going to make a great impact, but I think that if it gets in even just a little bit, then it’s doing to do something,” said San Rafael resident Felix Conde.
The associate director of St. Vincent de Paul says most homeless people are not causing the problems, but it’s just a couple of dozen, many of whom are young and new to the area.
Notes by Norse: Poverty is such an unpleasant and dispiriting reminder of foreclosures, income inequality, shrinking real wages, and spiraling health care costs. Let’s all work together to help our middle-class neighbors to keep up with those mortgage payments, work harder at those disappearing jobs, and continue to sip those ever-popular lattes. Along with the niggers, kikes, and spiks, we should all be aware of how sensitive property-owners are and how important it is to avoid the better side of town and stick to our side of the tracks. We must eliminate behaviors that may be offensive to them and their children and remember our place.
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_22917250/san-rafael-gives-homeless-maps-places-they-arent
San Rafael gives homeless maps of places they aren’t welcome
The new map was developed by San Rafael police Lt. Ralph Pata and copies of it are now lining the tables of the St. Vincent de Paul Free Dining Room on B Street. Areas of concern include Fourth and B streets, Fourth and A streets and the Hospice by the Bay thrift store at 910 Lincoln Ave.
San Rafael police Chief Diana Bishop said the fliers are a gentle way of asking people to act appropriately in the city, especially in the areas circled in red on the map.
“It’s just a reminder to everyone that there are certain expectations in society,” Bishop said.
She said most of the complaints the city receives about homeless residents are in regards to people defecating or urinating in public, drinking or being intoxicated, leaving their personal items strewn about or having dogs off-leash.
The fliers are meant to be a positive thing, encouraging the police department and homeless residents to work together, Pata said.
“It’s very possible folks are just hanging out in that area and do not know that their behavior is offensive to people walking by,” Pata said.
Suzanne Walker, associate director at St. Vincent de Paul, said the dining hall is cooperating with the police department’s request in an effort to open the lines of communication between police and homeless
people.
She said most of the people they serve are typically receptive to the police department’s requests and respect Pata.
“Most of the people really understand and don’t want to be a problem,” Walker said. “They don’t like be painted with the same brush as those people who are making it difficult for our residents and businesses.”
St. Vincent de Paul makes about 700 meals a day, serving about 300 people. Officers are hoping enough people will see the fliers to spread the word.
In addition to listing the “hot zones,” the flier asks people to “be a good neighbor” by doing the following: no Dumpster diving behind any business — especially Hospice by the Bay’s store — use a toilet, don’t steal power from businesses or the city, clean up after oneself, don’t store property in the city flower boxes, don’t drink alcohol in public — go to a bar if a drink is wanted — and don’t camp at the Elks Club or in the San Rafael Hills.
Pata said homeless residents are encouraged to take part in making the city a better place for everyone.
“We really would like people to start taking more ownership in their neighborhood,” Pata said.