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My ministry partner took this photo at the entrance to the Greenway, near the block.  Image credit: Audrie Keen

My ministry partner took this photo at the entrance to the Greenway, near the block. Image credit: Audrie Keen

Two days ago, I wrote about “the block” at Lee and Eugene Streets being empty. The block is a long-time gathering spot where folks, many of them homeless, are known to loiter and drink. A friend, who catches a bus just down the sidewalk, had contacted me to tell me that police had cleared everybody out.

Read more on Did it take a Greenway to clear the block?…

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homelessviolenceFrom the News & Record

A 44-year-old man leaving the Bessemer Curb Market was beaten and robbed by two men Saturday, police said.

About 5:25 p.m., Anthony Brooks was leaving the store at 925 E. Bessemer Ave. when two men approached him, according to Greensboro police.

Read more on Bessemer beating: More homeless on homeless violence in Greensboro…

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ebtThe News & Record and WFMY report that the owner of the University Mart in Greensboro has been charged with food stamp fraud. He’s accused of making purchases at local grocery stores with food stamps that weren’t assigned to him. The University Mart is on Warren Street, near the intersection with Spring Garden.

Read more on Finally! A Greensboro store owner gets charged with food stamp fraud…

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Be sure to read Lorraine Ahearn’s News & Record article, “Benches highlight a bigger problem”, which begins like this:

“The location of artistic benches, which were removed from the Downtown Greenway on Friday after neighbors complained, looked good on paper but ignored some basic urban topography. Just a stone’s throw from where the benches were removed, amid complaints that they drew drunken and lewd behavior, sits ‘The Block.’ At the southwest corner of Eugene and Lee streets, at the entrance to HealthServe clinic and Greensboro Urban Ministry’s night shelter, this stretch of sidewalk has been a magnet for loitering, drugs and prostitution for 20 years….”

The benches were never the problem, so removing them won’t solve it. The problem on the block is primarily addiction. People drink there, and buy and smoke pot and crack. And where you find crack, you find dealers and prostitutes.

Read more on Bilbro benches gone, next target: homeless on the block?…

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From greensboropeerpressure

“The people who rule what happens in Downtown Greensboro have removed the little greenway through the parking lot on South Elm and McGee streets downtown because they claim that nobody used it. People used to use it to eat bag lunches and watch passers-by and enjoy the breeze and the flowers. Neighbors often sat on the benches and had friendly conversations and/or heated discussions.

Read more on Good-bye to Panhandlers Park & harmless homeless?…

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Fox8 News reports on the dangers of being a downtown cop in Greensboro. The segment begins with the story of officer Marc Gonzalez, who was dragged by an intoxicated woman driver in a BMW just after midnight on Friday night, 09/11/2009. That story was first reported here on ChosenFast.com, six days before it was picked up by other local media. It’s being reported that Gonzalez had minor injuries, but he is receiving ongoing medical treatment. When the driver is found, she’ll be charged with a felony assault on a law enforcement officer. For a full description of the car and driver, click here.

Read more on Fox8 News: Greensboro cop’s dragging shows dangers of downtown policing…

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“It’s in N&R.”

image credit: City of Greensboro

image credit: City of Greensboro

That’s the text message I just received from a cop friend who was injured by a driver fleeing a traffic stop last Friday night. I posted a story about the incident the following day. That story is here: Downtown cop injured by fleeing driver.

Read more on Local media picks up story of driver who dragged police officer…

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The Greensboro City Council has adopted changes in the City ordinance governing begging and panhandling. Sec. 20-69 will be amended as follows:

Sec. 20-69: Place
Any person who begs or solicits alms for his or her personal gain when the person is in any of the places listed below is guilty of a misdemeanor:
(1) At any bus or train stop;
(2) In any public transportation vehicle, facility, transit stop or taxi stand;
(3) In any vehicle on the street; or
(4) On private property, unless the person has written permission from the owner of the property to beg or solicit alms on the property; or
(5) On any school property during the student arrival times or during the student departure times.
(6) On any sidewalk adjacent to a motion picture theater, outdoor theater or palladium, any valid licensed vendor location, or where a line of patrons has formed.
(7) Within 20 feet of the entrance to any financial institution or automated teller machine, regardless of whether or not such automated teller machine is located at or near a financial institution. Financial institution as used in this section means any bank, trust company, savings and loan association, credit union, check-cashing business, any other entity principally engaged in the business of lending or receiving or soliciting money on deposit; or
(8) Within 20 feet of the entrance to any commercial establishment or private residence, or
(9) In any parking, deck, garage or surface parking lot and not within 20 feet of the entrance and exits of these areas and not within 20 feet of any parking meter or parking kiosk, or
(10) While under the influence of alcohol or other non-prescribed drugs or illegal substance, or
(11) Within 20 feet of the visible barricade of any outdoor café whether such café is on the public sidewalk or on private property.

The amended ordinance became effective upon adoption.

Read more on What the amendment to the panhandling ordinance says…

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Image credit: Nelson Kepley, N&R

UPDATE:  The amendments to the panhandling ordinance passed unanimously.

Tonight, the Greensboro City Council considers significant revisions to the ordinance governing public soliciting, begging and panhandling.  The proposed changes would result in a de facto ban on panhandling in the downtown area, and would strictly limit panhandling throughout the rest of the city.

Read more on N&R: Proposal would just about ban panhandling…

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gpdEXCLUSIVE: At this time, I am unaware of any other news outlet that has reported this story. Update: The News & Record posted a story on 09/16/09: Police search for driver who dragged officer.

Read more on Downtown cop injured by fleeing driver…

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Blogger and City Council candidate Ben Holder (aka, The Troublemaker) spoke to Council this week about criminal activity happening along a section of  the downtown Greenway.  And a local TV news crew reported on the story, as well.

Read more on Think the Greenway ‘Prostitute Trail’ is bad? It could get worse….

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Facebook status, today, 5:00 a.m.:

“Hard to sleep. Depression hurts everywhere. Makes other pain, illness and injury harder to bear. I hope today will be a better day. Why status this? I have a major depressive disorder — a chronic, disabling illness of the brain. There should be no stigma or shame attached. Time to speak out.”


[video link]

Read more on Me, depression & Facebook: Tell it…

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