Within minutes of my phone call police had arrived.
Even though no known guns or drugs were involved.
Even though there was no name calling, slamming of doors, or other altercations.
After all, the suspects were sleeping.
We’ve had hasps and locks ripped from doors; a window broken; full gasoline cans stolen; and the list goes on.
And every night for however many nights (I’d lost track) two of the half-dozen or so had parked their van (tabs are current) in our place-of-business parking lot.
And every morning I’d tap on their window, sometimes as early as 5 A.M. to start my day, asking them to wake up and move on.
And take with them the trash scattered around their vehicle.
They evidently didn’t get the message.
I’d forgotten I had filed a No Trespass Agreement a year-and-a-half ago with our Lakewood Police Department.
Mike Miller, our Community Service Officer who is very helpful, always timely in response, reminded me.
And gave me a phone number to call.
No sooner had I received his email this morning than I was driving by the parking lot and there the van was.
Again.
And within minutes of my phone call the police came and notified the occupants that their next trip, if they were reported here again, would be to jail.
Thank you, Mike Miller, and the LPD.
Homelessness is indeed a serious issue, but it’s a shame on society to make it a crime to be homeless.
Then I assume, that you are willing for them to come and stay with you on your property. Why is it “a shame” for people that have worked hard to be able to own a home, business or land to not want those that do not care to abide by laws and rules as well as respect what belongs to others?
Homelessness isn’t a crime by society; it’s the loitering, littering, and illegal parking and campsites that are. Those are what bring a blight in communities. There are several organisations that are available for those less fortunate, but many refuse to utilise those services.
Being homeless is a circumstance. But what I don’t and won’t accept is the actions that encroach on my daily life. The noise, the garbage, the fights, bodily functions that leave streets smelling foul. They pollute just as bad as some industries just not on the same scale. The theft of others property, all these are illegal acts in themselves and as a citizen I can be fined for commiting these. Some may be without a permanent living structure but that doesn’t give someone a pass on laws that a responsible society has in place.
Thanks David Anderson for giving them a few chances first, that was very nice of you!
Homelessness parking legally found here, maybe business owners can post the sites listed as a nice suggestion versus violating a no trespass notice or give the list to violators and ask them to move on or police will be called in the future:
https://firstquarterfinance.com/places-to-park-and-sleep-in-you-car-overnight-for-free/#places-that-may-permit-overnight-parking-and-sleeping
https://guide2homelessness.blogspot.com/2004/11/finding-parking-place.html
The homelessness problem is devastating to those without homes, a nuisance to others, and generally handled by governments by passing laws to “legally” move the problem some where else so “we” don/t have to deal with it. The ultimate expression of the attitude “I’m for me and to heck with anyone else”. Even churches exhibit some of this attitude. So much for “love thy neighbor”