ACLU complains Detroit police dump homeless people outside city

[JenniferL]

Until the medical community finds a real cure for drug addiction, alcoholism, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder, there are no solutions that will truly work.

[KJ5]

Until the medical community finds a real cure for drug addiction, alcoholism, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder, there are no solutions that will truly work.

I call b.s. on that. That's just an excuse for treating people as less than human.

[Vic01]

I call b.s. on that. That's just an excuse for treating people as less than human.

I thought it was a call to provide "humans" treatment?

[Hermod]

Why would you want to treat homeless people less well than criminals? Both on the basis of fairness, and on the basis of incentives [[let's not encourage people to commit crimes to get better living conditions) this seems mistaken.

I would postulate that the level of housing and food and the menial tasks of operating and maintaining the facility along the lines of what we gave our draftees in the 1960s should be appropriate.

[Scottathew]

If people stop giving them money, they'll stop hanging out around the populated areas.

I give food, but many times that's not what they want.

It's human nature to want to help, but if there's a good chance that my money is going to be converted into drugs or booze I'm not going to give it.

[Adamkir]

I think they dropped them all off in Lansing to be honest. There is a "homeless" sign holders on every corner now days. When I was in Detroit yesterday I even told my wife about the disparity in homeless sign holders. Yes I'm sure that there is many more homeless plus hundreds more in Detroit but its only visually the differences seems disproportionate for a city Lansing's size. The unfortunate part is that of the dozens we offered work to on construction jobs in the past zero accepted that offer. I'm sure a pack of heroin or such would have got their attention. Its really a sad state of affairs to be honest.

[Wesley Mouch]

Which suggests that you've bought into the theory that they haven't and it's not?

Are you truly unaware of the recent "global financial meltdown" and its origin?

Why did you select that particular username?

I have not bought into the theory that it was all 'greed'. Greed did play a part, financial deregulation played a part, repeat of Glass-Steagall, and a dozen more -- it wasn't single-cause. Thinking it was all 'wall street greed' simplifies it. What then caused and allowed Wall Street greed. Life and politics is complex.

Mouch? My politics are likely as disagreeable to you as Mouch's are to me.

[mwilbert]

Because I care more about the homeless than criminals. I do not suggest abuse nor torture. I want them to want to find a way to improve themselves [[unless they are sick).

Perhaps the homeless population is less messed-up than I think it is, but my guess is that your approach would not accomplish your goal in more than a tiny number of cases.

[Hermod]

Perhaps the homeless population is less messed-up than I think it is, but my guess is that your approach would not accomplish your goal in more than a tiny number of cases.

I think we need to divide the homeless into two classes. The first are those who through a string of bad luck find themselves [[and sometimes their kids) homeless without the wherewithal to come up with "first. last, and deposit" to get back into a home. These can be readily helped through housing assistance programs.

The second are the hard core homeless with mental problems, substance abuse problems, and drifters through choice. These need to be placed in a CCC camp type environment out away from population centers where their problems can be sorted out, they can be given decent meals, clean barracks, and be taught useful work skills [[beginning with getting up on time in the morning and cleaning your quarters).

[antongast]

The second are the hard core homeless with mental problems, substance abuse problems, and drifters through choice. These need to be placed in a CCC camp type environment out away from population centers where their problems can be sorted out, they can be given decent meals, clean barracks, and be taught useful work skills [[beginning with getting up on time in the morning and cleaning your quarters).

Fifth Amendment: No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Emphasis added.

[Eric_c]

If I fall off the edge and can't cope with the realities of life in America anymore, Downtown Detroit should not be forced to suffer the burdens. Either get the fuck up and work or go to a home. Don't blight my streets with your bullshit. I have compassion up to the point of paying taxes to support those of minimal means, but onlce you involve yourself in a way that directly impacts my day to day, I'll become a hater. Who has a problem with moquitos until they bite? After which, who has a problem with citronella candles?

[Honky Tonk]

If I fall off the edge and can't cope with the realities of life in America anymore, Downtown Detroit should not be forced to suffer the burdens. Either get the fuck up and work or go to a home. Don't blight my streets with your bullshit. I have compassion up to the point of paying taxes to support those of minimal means, but onlce you involve yourself in a way that directly impacts my day to day, I'll become a hater. Who has a problem with moquitos until they bite? After which, who has a problem with citronella candles?

Reread the part about the "homes" being shut down. I'm sorry these guy's aren't buying t-shirts @ Lock-Jaw and drinking latte's @ The Bean Tube.

[antongast]

Who has a problem with moquitos until they bite?

At the risk of giving up some of my Real Detroiter Street Cred, I'm going to have to confess that I've never been bitten by a homeless person.

[Hermod]

Emphasis added.

OK, the Congress establishes the Al Gore Ecology Service to do what CCC camps used to do working on wonderful green projects all over the US wilderness. Congress then establishes a draft where the local police chief is the draft board. I used to command a company of 180 men two-thirds of whom were deprived of liberty by force of law. Al Gore said we are in iminent danger and need to be green. The Ecology Service will be the spear point of green against the great national danger of global warming.

[antongast]

OK, the Congress establishes the Al Gore Ecology Service to do what CCC camps used to do working on wonderful green projects all over the US wilderness. Congress then establishes a draft where the local police chief is the draft board. I used to command a company of 180 men two-thirds of whom were deprived of liberty by force of law. Al Gore said we are in iminent danger and need to be green. The Ecology Service will be the spear point of green against the great national danger of global warming.

I am fully on board with this idea, mostly because I can't wait to watch John Boehner try to wrangle support from his caucus for the Al Gore Ecology Service Act.

[Wesley Mouch]

Perhaps the homeless population is less messed-up than I think it is, but my guess is that your approach would not accomplish your goal in more than a tiny number of cases.

You're probably right. Your solution?

[Wheels]

I think it has to do with Detroit cops being fans of the Wire. Mcnulty rules!

[Danny]

Detroit Police and other law enforcment groups had been doing this practice for many years. Trying to prevent businesses and its customers from leaving those businesses sites creating lower property values. Having the homeless dump in the suburbs is a very bad ideal. The suburban police can take them back to Detroit or any other suburban borders. The homeless and needy are not be escorted out of public places, but to shelters. Otherwise leave them alone. Most of them don't bother them, they don't bother you.

[Meddle]

Unless you buy into the theory that the rich have stolen all the money and that's the source of all problems... you'd probably agree that civic vagrancy has increased over the last 50 years. So what we're doing isn't working. Time for creative new solutions. As gazhekwe says, we need diversity of solutions.

During the first two years of the nation’s economic recovery, the mean net worth of households in the upper 7% of the wealth distribution rose by an estimated 28%, while the mean net worth of households in the lower 93% dropped by 4%, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of newly released Census Bureau data.

From 2009 to 2011, the mean wealth of the 8 million households in the more affluent group rose to an estimated $3,173,895 from an estimated $2,476,244, while the mean wealth of the 111 million households in the less affluent group fell to an estimated $133,817 from an estimated $139,896.

http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2013/...-the-lower-93/

And I'd say that the mean wealth of city households is much closer to $39K, than $139K.

[Ray1936]

I would suggest that each member of the ACLU take in a homeless person.

[rex]

Whats at 96 & 75? Thats low income housing right? Looks like a nicer version of what used to be at MLK and 3rd. Lots of empty lots between there and Rosa Parks. its as empty as any other empty area in town, some standing structures but i would expect a number of them to be empty and waiting the wrecking ball. Plus there is a Salvation Army down there.

Im assuming the homeless are an after thought in the midtown development plans. Illitch is in the process of turning part of their area into something else. Would be better to push them west than north. Refocus social services, health care, housing, shelters, food banks, methadone and whatever else they require. Whats the cheapest booze available? Supply them with free pints of it and hope it keeps them from flooding downtown like they do now. If it was up to me they could have all the free government dope and crack they could consume. Better for the addicts and everyone else. Needle exchanges and all that. Probably wouldnt see em downtown much anymore.

[Honky Tonk]

Whats at 96 & 75? Thats low income housing right? Looks like a nicer version of what used to be at MLK and 3rd. Lots of empty lots between there and Rosa Parks. its as empty as any other empty area in town, some standing structures but i would expect a number of them to be empty and waiting the wrecking ball. Plus there is a Salvation Army down there.

Im assuming the homeless are an after thought in the midtown development plans. Illitch is in the process of turning part of their area into something else. Would be better to push them west than north. Refocus social services, health care, housing, shelters, food banks, methadone and whatever else they require. Whats the cheapest booze available? Supply them with free pints of it and hope it keeps them from flooding downtown like they do now. If it was up to me they could have all the free government dope and crack they could consume. Better for the addicts and everyone else. Needle exchanges and all that. Probably wouldnt see em downtown much anymore.

We wouldn't want any of the yupsters having to look @ low-income people, while hauling home their $14 watermelons from Ho' Foods, on the $150 mil choo-choo. I mean THAT'S just so.... you know?