FeedSan Francisco’s No 1 problem
Wednesday, September 19 2007
San Francisco has a huge problem that only newbies (like me) seem to talk about, the vast number of homeless people in this city.
Every single time I am out and about, there are always some beggars around approaching asking for money. I am simple not used to it and I don’t see why I should.
I have noticed that they have their ‘own’ street corner and I rarely see more then one beggar at each intersection. To me, that indicates that there is some sort of social order among them. If they can coupe within that social order, why not do this within the ‘normal’ society?
Some of them are bound to have mental and/or drug problems and frankly if they have, I am not so sure I want their unpredictable behaviour out on the street. It is treatment they should have, not cash.
Then there is Market Street … Market street is an unused asset of San Francisco. It could be a great parade street - almost like Paris’ Champs-Élysées, with shops, restaurants etc. Instead it is a run-down, filthy street with lots of homeless people. Only from 5th St to the Ferry building is the good part (beggars are there too though).
On average once a week, while walking the street of SF, the smell will be so bad that I gag. Sometimes it is the sewers, sometimes it is the homeless. I avoid the Trans-Bay Bus terminal at all cost, I will walk around that block even though the shortest way is through / underneath it.
Here is two things from recent memory:
1. While walking pass a sleeping place (heap of boxes, trash) for a homeless - the smell was awful - I saw this big fuckoff rat in the middle of it. I was wearing flip flops and felt so damn exposed. I screamed, ran, jumped away.
2. A homeless man was walking his (??) cat on a leash at a construction site. The cat was severely pissed off. The guy kept yanking the leash and pulling the cat around. I mean, was this fucking man in a rush? He had put up his sleeping box 10 meters away. At least, give the cat some time to walk around. I was so upset of what I saw, but what could I do? Call the SFPD?
I have heard these stories that other cities bus their homeless to SF (allegedly Seattle). True or not, the problem is here and it will not go away.
Maybe SF is known to be a generous city but it sure as hell is causing trouble if this attracts more homeless people. Those few times I have been walking passed Essex Street (onramp to the Bay Bridge) and I have seen drivers hand out money to that same guy who always stand there. He is making lots of money - certainly more then me.
The short term solution is to get that damn California driver licence, buy a car to not have to walk around in SF or move to the suburb. But the problem would still be there.
The thing that really bothers me is that San Francisco is supposedly social aware, liberal city but it only goes so far. I have not seen any progress for the year I have been here. It is like all those people that drive their big trucks to Whole Food to buy organic produce.
In London, there used to a problem with homeless people however enough investments were made so there are more shelter beds then homeless people. The public was informed NOT to give any money to them and it worked.
September 21st, 2007 at 9:47
San Francisco’s #1 problem are selfish, ignorant people who are generally people not from here that come here with all kinds of biases and predispositions that are contrary to the San Franciscan way of life.
You said:
… a problem that only newbies seem to talk about…
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Yes. It’s because newbies tend to ‘look down’ at these people and complaint about how their presence makes them (the newbies) feel uncomfortable. It’s not all about you, its about having compassion and understanding in one’s heart for the less fortunate and doing something to help instead of whining selfishly.
San Franciscans talk about this ‘problem’ in community and city workgroups in conversations WITH the homeless to help us all improve the quality of life of all residents. It (state of being homeless) is a challenge, the people are not a problem, the lack of adequate resources are part of the problem.
If you are too naive, stubborn or ignorant to ‘get used to it’ or to ‘help others in need’ then you have a choice. Don’t change and be miserable and disappointed and offended every day or leave back to where you came from.
If you cannot stand stinky streets, have you considered volunteering in a neighborhood group to help clean the streets ?
You said:
I have noticed … their ‘own’ street corner … To me, … indicates … some sort of social order among them. … can coupe … social order, why not ..‘normal’ society?
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Are you stupid or naive ? You appear to have been programmed by ‘group mentality’ to such a degree that you think all homeless people are the same and you have the nerve to appear astonished they have a social order… my, where are you from ?
First off, they do not own the street corner any more than you or I. If there is one per corner, great. They appear to be giving each other space. Homelessness is a fact of life of all society (normal and otherwise). Are you ‘normal’ ? You appear not to have much empathy and are very selfish. Is that ‘normal’ ? You are unwilling to accept the facts of the way things are on the streets… is that ‘normal’ ?
Fact check… In the first year after Bush took office, the number of poor people in this country has DOUBLED. 4 Years later, it has DOUBLED again. Home loan default rates are up 600% over 2006. 2006 was up 500% over 2005. 2005 was up 400% over 2004. 2004 was up 200% over 2003. Get it ?
As a direct result of an illegal war in Iraq and bad foreign trade policies our nation has record levels of people that have been laid off, incarcerated for minor drug possession and banks are now free to change interest rates and bank charges at will, without notice.
I have been in homeless shelters in San Diego and San Francisco for almost a year now. I have met hundreds of people that were fully employed with homes, families and credit cards, etc. Their jobs were out sourced over night and they became homeless through no fault of their own. Doctors, lawyers, laborers, contractors, etc.
You said:
The short term solution is to get that damn California driver licence, buy a car to not have to walk around in SF or move to the suburb. But the problem would still be there.
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The solution for you, is to be like an ostrich and bury your head in the sand.
Most San Franciscans do the opposite. We sell our cars and use public transportation and walk a lot, not because it is easy or convenient for us because it is not, but we do that because it is better for the community. Less car on the road and walking instead of driving is healthier.
You said:
The thing that really bothers me is that San Francisco is supposedly social aware, liberal city but it only goes so far. I have not seen any progress for the year I have been here. It is like all those people that drive their big trucks to Whole Food to buy organic produce.
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How do you measure progress ? Have you ever been to a shelter ? Have you ever volunteered on a committee that oversees the shelters ? Have you ever volunteered at a food bank or a feeding place ?
If you measure progress by how many or how clean homeless people are on the streets that you walk down then you will never see change even though it takes place everywhere here.
You seem to know so very little about homelessness because you have not been there yourself and have not spent any time talking WITH homeless people of the many groups that help them here.
You said:
In London, there used to a problem with homeless people however enough investments were made so there are more shelter beds then homeless people. The public was informed NOT to give any money to them and it worked
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In this City, no government agency or policy tells its residents what to do with their own money. We are free to do as we wish without the crown telling us what to do…
We have some graft and corruption problems inside the non profits that provide homeless services. We also have a lot of people that complain but are not willing to volunteer their time or money to help (usually people not from here).
People not from here have brought a lot of 20 year old biases and prejudices and self centered attitudes that have served to disrupt a lot of good vibes and networks here. People with predispositions tend to speak without thinking and act without caring about others and that has had a negative impact on our way of life here.
I wish you luck here, but most people that only think of how things should be according to what pleases them usually do not last long here. Keep your bags packed for your return trip…
September 21st, 2007 at 11:36
The topic often comes up in chats with other newbies to SF about the homeless situation and that people are shocked / disturb to the high level of homeless people. That shows that people don’t have their head in the sand. I compares this to people that have lived in the city for much longer and just - to me anyway - ignore the subject and the problem. I do not think that at anytime a society should accept people living on the street and just it being a “fact of life”.
This post is written in frustration that I have not seen any progress - and numbers seen on the street is a measure of progress, how can it not be? - in the year have been here. There can be more then one measurement re homeless people. It does mean that I am aware and want to see an improvement. I am not the person screaming to the homeless people “Get a fucking job” which I have seen several times by Americans btw - that is disrespectful and inconsiderate.
There is a difference in the US and UK way of dealing with this social problem and as I see it, the UK way is the better option. There is support to help people that have either been longterm homeless with mental and/or drug problem and for those that have had a bad turn. I would not have a problem paying some extra tax for this.
I have the impression that people (not all) decided that they want to avoid SF social problems and get in their cars, move out to the suburbs with the philosophy: If I don’t see the problem, then there is no problem.
Personally, and as I write above, that will not solve anything, it is escapism and not the right thing to do. I do walk, I do take the buses, I do see it but I don’t think it should be left alone.
Situation for each homeless are unique and never once do I state that all are the same.
What, you have not noticed that quite often it is the same people that stands and begs at the same street corner? That is some sort of territorial claim and don’t tell me that some corners are better when it come to getting cash then others. “They appear to be giving each other space” – nah I don’t buy that. And who gets that spot? Random luck?
The way you come is across is like knee jerk reaction that the US way is the best way and one can’t not say anything else. And if you are not from SF, then your opinions are less worth. What, foreigners not welcomed?
Are you saying the current situation is acceptable and it should be left as is? That the current help & system is enough?
I have written about my encounters and observations. No country and no city are without its problem but not been able to talk about it is bad thing. By being written and talked about it, that is awareness and a search of an improvement. Silence of the problem never solves it or are just certain people allowed to address it? You come across in an elitist way, which is strange to me.
You talk down to me and that is the way you chose to express yourself. Never once do I write crudely and derogative or as you talk down to - no I do not expect at pat on the back for that - about the homeless people. It is the city of SF that needs to better in my opinion.
If I had it my way there should be enough help to get people back on track. Society would have a net gain from it and the homeless person would feel better & safer.
September 21st, 2007 at 18:50
A major problem is that many homeless (mostly males) are very happy being homeless… there was a recent case In Florida where some people donated enough money to a man to go stay with what he claimed was a dying brother. He was put on a bus with some extra cash.. turns out there was no brother, he couldn’t stand being in a shelter and wound up back on the streets in Florida.
Many people wind up unemployed because of drug and alcohol, or other addiction problems. should we be responsible for that? No, I think not. and that’s why I refuse to give money to any panhandler. I will give food to them, but not money to buy more crack. Get sober and then lead a productive life. Mental problems, that’s another story. we should have more resources for those who have mental problems and that is a tragedy.
October 6th, 2007 at 20:52
darn such big comments. anyways donno much bout SF, but feel lizze u stilll got tht london hangover
October 6th, 2007 at 21:12
yeah - I thought that earlier today!!
your reach is far and kind of spooky Jay