So you heard about the chick who wants to taser the homeless downtown?
“Taser the homeless.”
Word is spreading about that disturbing suggestion, which came from an unidentified woman who owns or works for a business on South Elm Street in downtown Greensboro. She attended a problem-solving meeting on May 18th with District 3 Council rep Zack Matheny and City staff, to discuss parking-related issues in the 300 block of South Elm Street.
“I did not give that idea any credit and stated that we would not in anyway appease that remark.”
– District 3 Greensboro City Council rep Zack Matheny (via email)
The business people in attendance at the meeting used sticky notes to 1) identify issues, and 2) suggest solutions.
One of the identified issues was “homeless.” Details of the responses, from meeting minutes:
- homeless at park and kiosk
- bothered by homeless at central meter
- homeless at garages and city lots
- vagrant harassment
- panhandlers attracted to master meter
- panhandlers hanging out at pay meter
Although the minutes do not specify, I assume that “homeless at park and kiosk” refers to “Panhandler’s Park,” which is in the 300 block of South Elm, and is a park in a parking lot with a kiosk (to pay for parking). Panhandling is a long-time problem there, hence the nickname. (More here and here.)
Suggestions, from the group at the meeting, for resolving the issue:
- make panhandling illegal
- ban panhandling
- don’t allow panhandling
- no panhandling in BID [business improvement district]
- lose the panhandlers
- bus homeless to Friendly
- taser the homeless*
[*emphasis mine]
Of course, it’s that last suggestion that caught the attention of YES! Weekly reporter Jordan Green, whose blog post (“Taser the homeless”) I quickly noticed yesterday afternoon. I commented right away and emailed Jordan for details. He sent a copy of the meeting minutes. I then emailed Zack Matheny*, who disavowed taser comment. Part of his response is quoted above.
Note that five of the seven suggested solutions are basically the same: ban panhandling. I have previously had conversations with Matheny, Chief Bellamy and various members of the Center City Resource Team (GPD’s downtown bike cops) about banning panhandling in the downtown area. I have repeatedly experienced and witnessed aggressive panhandling downtown, and it’s a real problem. I’ve also talked to cops, merchants and friends both homeless and homed about the panhandling problems downtown. I strongly agree that something needs to be done. (But tasering homeless people? Wow. No.)
Laws banning panhandling city-wide have not survived a constitutional challenge in other communities, as far as I know. Panhandling is considered to be a constitutionally-protected right under free speech laws. I don’t know if other cities have been successful in banning panhandling in specific areas, such as a central business district, and I asked Council member Matheny* to check with the City attorney on that. That’s something that the City needs to research carefully before considering that alternative. The City of Greensboro doesn’t need any more court battles.
Back to “tasering the homeless”: The woman that made the comment apparently didn’t speak for all the business folks. (The “bus them to Friendly” comment was probably a joke. “Greyhound therapy” has been around for a while, but it’s usually a reference to shipping the homeless out of town to become another community’s problem.) The City people I’ve worked with have big hearts for the homeless. I’ve spent time talking to Zack Matheny about homelessness and homeless people, and he’s been to a Food Not Bombs dinner, where he listened and responded to the concerns of the homeless people he met. I know the taser comment doesn’t reflect his heart. And I know the cops who work with the homeless downtown. They collect blankets, boots, coats and more to distribute to our homeless friends in winter. They call us to find housing and treatment for homeless people. They care about homeless people. I’m not worried that they’ll start randomly tasering them.
I think this “taser the homeless” thing is a non-issue, as far as downtown homeless policy goes. I think it’s one chick with a small heart and a big mouth with no filter on it. But… the scary part is that I know she’s not the only small-hearted person out there. There are so many hearts that need to change…
P.S. My suggestion on dealing with aggressive panhandling downtown? I’m fine with banning it, if there’s a legal way to do it. But it’s probably still not going to stop it. Aggressive panhandling is already illegal. If you want to stop what’s happening downtown, address crack addiction, alcoholism and mental illness among the homeless. Uh oh… now the solution’s bigger than the initial problem, huh? Exactly. That’s why we have the problem in the first place.
*I would have just said “Zack” here, because that’s what I call him. But then I thought, “What if Council member _________ reads this and decides to call me out in public again for calling a Council member by their first name?” Even though said Council member is known for saying, “Just call me ________ [first name].” Hmmm… better not chance it.
Update: Talked to a bike cop about the “taser the homeless” idea. His response: “No.” He can only remember them ever tasering one homeless person downtown, and when he told me who it was and why, I totally understood. The homeless guy in question was tased during an incident in which he tried to punch two different cops (including a girl cop — so not cool of him.) Sadly, I’m very familiar with this guy and his behavior.
He once tried to climb into the back of our NightWatch truck (while spewing f-bombs) and grab one of our volunteers (my best friend, who had 3 and 4-year old girls standing beside her, helping her pass out food.) Another time, when a bike cop and I stopped in Panhandler’s Park to talk to him, he starting throwing a knife across the sidewalk into a bench. (Yes, the cop took the knife away from him. And kindly and calmly explained that it was not OK for him to do that.) This guy has some serious problems and it’s just a very sad situation that the cops end up dealing with. And I’ve seen them treat him with compassion and kindness many times. But yeah, I can totally understand how he could get out of control and get tased. And I don’t blame the cops for that. Just being honest. But again, that’s the only homeless person that my cop friend could remember them tasing downtown. They prefer to help the homeless. Not tase them.
Update #2: I forgot to add that not everyone who panhandles on the street downtown is homeless. I know several formerly homeless people (now in a government-funded housing program) who I’ve seen panhandling in the last year. All have addiction issues. At least one was arrested because he didn’t have a panhandling license. So, it’s not just a homeless issue. It’s much more an addiction issue. Several times I’ve stopped and talked to downtown panhandlers who told me or others that they needed money for shelter. I told them where they could stay for free. They ignored me and kept collecting money from strangers. The shelter was free. But the crackman and the liquor store don’t give it away. Truth: We’ve got some precious people trapped in addiction in our town. They’re not real fun to be around. Especially when they’re in your face, begging for money. But they’re still people. And tasers are not the answer.
June 16th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Me and my father and my grandfather(Pastor) are in the ministry, and we deal with the poor and the homeless a lot, and i was appalled when i saw what that lady said. I originally came to this site looking for pat boones, let me live song, but found this blog and was shocked. anyways, where we live there is a very disadvantaged community of people always in need. we are most often stopped on the street and they usually ask for money in various ways, even though we are cautious, we still give, and we have also learned to discern the tricks of the trade. the truly sincere will let you buy them a meal instead of just taking your money then running to the liquor store -(to your love add discernment)-. we really had that happen once. Anyways, I remember one time i was at a truck stop and an aggressive panhandler was asking for money, and wouldn’t get off the drivers semi (-Explicit words were exchanged-), so the driver just pulled out of the gas station and onto the road, and the panhandler who still refused to get off the semi went truckin down the road shirt tail and all flapping in the wind. I personally have come across these violent types, and I understand the need for rules, and i also really hope that lady wasn’t referring to all poor or homeless people. Anyways, this is what our ministry believes, and this would be my response to that lady, (in love of course),—-> Prov. 14:31 Anyone who oppresses the poor is insulting God who made them. To help the poor is to honor God. ——> Psa. 82:3 Give fair judgment to the poor man, the afflicted, the fatherless, the destitute. Psa 82:4 Rescue the poor and helpless from the grasp of evil men. And last but not least ——-> Prov. 21:13 He who shuts his ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in his own time of need.—. I have found it really hard to believe that someone would even entertain such an idea. Tasering is certainly not the answer. In our city we have formed an association of churches and pastors from all denominations, catholic, baptist, lutheran, and pastors from our inner city ministries who come together under the same roof on a regular basis to have prayer and fellowship concerning these same issues that are also in our city. The bible also says that “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” -James 5:16. We realize the coming together of churches and outreach ministries to pray, feed, clothe and minister to the poor is a vital part of the work that is important to the strengthening and the healing of the community. It is not often that someone steps out of there box and takes the time to look into someone elses box to see the issues that they are dealing with. Even though I live far away from you all, I am glad I stopped and took a few minutes to look. For the homeless, and for those of you involved in this ministry of outreach, I wanted to give you all my support in prayer concerning the issues you are dealing with. God Bless you all.
June 9th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Yes, Kathy! Thanks for that comment. I always appreciate your perspective.
June 9th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Michele,
I think the lady’s comment reflects fear and the desire to “not get too close to a person I don’t know or understand.” Kind of like “If I tase them from a distance, they can’t threaten me.”
I can understand being afraid and I can understand wanting to be empowered over that fear and I can understand the non-lethality of the taser as opposed to a gun. But I guess I fall off the understanding wagon of applying this “treatment” to people who may not be directly threatening you but simply belong to a category.
I know if I were living on the street, having a bad day would be my regular life. I can’t imagine being tased on top of that just because I smell or look raggedy.
June 9th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Irony: As a woman, I’m not supposed to do street outreach alone. It’s not always safe. (That’s a ministry rule. I’ve been known to break it. I’ve also been known to regret breaking it, so I try to always follow that rule now.) However, when I step out of my car alone downtown, to shop, dine or meet someone for coffee, I am sometimes confronted by the very people that make it necessary for us to have rules like that in the first place. Interesting, huh?
June 9th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
I hear what you’re saying, Sue, and I do see both sides. I have the mobile numbers of all the bike cops on my phone, and I’ve called them more than once myself about aggressive panhandlers. One night I was parking at Panhandler’s Park and there was a guy I didn’t know going right up to people’s car windows as they parked. I called one of the cops and described him and the cop knew immediately who I was talking about. He told me I’d be OK to just walk past him and not engage him, so that’s what I did. A few minutes later, I saw other officers come up and begin talking to him. I don’t know what happened from there, but I know that the way he was confronting people was a violation of the panhandling ordinance and it was creepy. And most people don’t happen to have the phone numbers of the bike cops in their phone.
I’ve had plenty of actual encounters with aggressive panhandlers. I just happen to know most of them. (And I know who to avoid.) My point: If it’s a problem for ME, and I do street outreach, then I totally get that it’s a much, much bigger problem for the average person. And I absolutely know your heart for homeless people, Sue, and much appreciate it and also appreciate you bringing up another POV. Again, I agree that panhandling is a big problem. (And it’s not just a perceived threat from some of them.) I want it resolved, too. But that lady’s comment — frustrated, flippant, whatever — reflects some reality, too. Read some of the comments in other threads. A lot of people do not heart the homeless.
June 9th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Agreed, cm, they’re not all homeless. But for the average citizen, they get grouped into the “homelessmentallyillbotheringme” category that knows no real definition other than, “the other.” (Here I go, preaching to the choir).
Anyhow, the woman who wrote that could be a little bit of a victim (this happened to me and it still astounds me: we were asked to write on little post-it notes what stereotypical things we HEARD others say about [insert group here]. after we did that, the “leaders” started in on how WE were still using stereotyping terms. trust me, they were voted off the island – you never saw such upset leadership “trainees”). I don’t know what she was actually asked to write; maybe it was her “solution” and to “include everything” and “don’t hold back.” I don’t know, I wasn’t there.
She used some regrettable words. I’m sure she regrets them.
But “awareness?” People ARE aware. It’s an entirely OTHER thing when you and your kids are feeling harassed when you’re downtown. People get territorial; they want to protect themselves/families from perceived threats. Awareness isn’t an issue when that happens.
Again, let me disclaimer this. I’m trying to bring up another POV and am not advocating against homeless or mentally ill/otherwise ill people. Sometimes those of us so close to the fight have to step back and see it the way others do before we lose perspective.
June 9th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Jessica: You rocked that tangent. I love you, and your heart.
Sue: I share that frustration. Aggressive, drug-seeking panhandlers are a significant problem downtown. I’m more than ready for a solution to the problem. But tasering them? That’s a little over the top. Who even thinks like that? Better question: Who would say that out loud at a public meeting where minutes are being recorded? [Frown.] Oh well, at least it’s gotten people talking. Lots of people read Jordan’s post. Maybe a good thing that can come from this is that people will have more awareness about the addicted and mentally ill people on our city’s streets. They can be scary and threatening. And they need help. (And p.s., they’re not all homeless. I need to add that to the post.)
June 9th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
I do not support tasering the homeless just because they’re homeless (agreeing with your example above). That’s ridiculous and was probably suggested as sarcasm or from a biz owner at his/her wit’s end. That biz owner probably has never had to deal with homeless issues and obviously doesn’t engage homeless people near her business. I don’t think the biz owner is a terrible person; rather, I think s/he’s frustrated and sees her clientele react negatively to homeless folks who hover near her store.
From another POV, many citizens feel uncomfortable around homeless or other people when they go downtown, park in garages, walk down the street and similar. That’s a reality; human beings react negatively when “different” (that means people outside their own comfort zones) people engage them in unfamiliar ways. As a society, we’re never going to make those two positions intermingle with any sort of comfort on both sides (all right, have at that statement).
I’m not talking about the underlying causes of homelessness; as you know, I work toward ending or at least alleviating those issues. This has to do simply with people who behave differently than a societal norm interacting with others in a confined space and discomfort being the result.
I understand her frustration; I do not condone her suggestion and find it probably sarcastic (sarcasm travels SO badly in text) and nothing she would do in the real world. But I agree, it looks terrible.
Not even sure I should post this but figure, ok, someone has to say what I think was pretty clear: she doesn’t want to physically hurt anyone. She’s upset; she sees no solution to what she sees as her problem with “the homeless.” Sigh.
June 9th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Ignorant, insensitive things that people say *really* grate my nerves. And I’m around people who think like this ALL THE TIME. Someone I know has been telling me a lot lately that he’s going to pass out McDonald’s applications to all the panhandlers. Per your advice, I began to seriously question him about this – about how he thinks a HOMELESS, possibly drug addicted, possibly mentally ill, lonely person is going to get a job like that? What if they have no ID, don’t have their Social Security card, are sick and feel like they can’t get healthcare or are disabled, can’t purchase a uniform? What if they don’t have a clean criminal record? It’s not about laziness, it’s not about cheating the system to avoid working… do people think these really are the issues?
Okay, I went on a tangent. Sorry.