July 20, 2010

I have been thinking a lot in the last few days about what is happening here in this city with the homeless. The problems we will face are growing steadily with the new moves to drive us out of the city entirely,no sleeping outdoors at all, no showers at St Vincent De Paul, no shelter space, no panhandling, the petty police harassment, and the Final Solution mentality of the mayor and the city council are very disturbing. Perhaps even more so is the apparent attitude of the citizenry at large. At best they are apathetic at worse actively supportive.

The activities of the Kenwood neighborhood association in picketing the St. Pete Times for it's suit against the city is one example of people who do not want the homeless in their neighborhoods and use the council to get laws passed to prevent the homeless from getting work or even a bit of change. Granted, many would use panhandling as a way to buy booze or drugs, but GW has pointed out that for many it is the difference between having a place and not. The alarming increase in the number of people eating in shelters as well as the decrease in the amount of meals provided is endemic of the situation.

The talk of St. Vincent de Paul forcing the homeless out from under the bridge is also a big issue, but one thing I don't think we are hearing a lot about is why they are doing this. Has anyone who is well regarded in the community gone to them and asked why these things are happening? Is there pressure from government or community groups that is difficult for them to resist? If so, is there anything that the homeless advocate community can do to help? Can we help them to stand up to those pressures if any? Are they facing funding cuts? Can we help to find alternate sources of funding? Is it a staffing issue? Can we help there with volunteers or assist in funding for paid staff? Is it just too big of a legal issue with constant calls to the police to deal with various problems every night?

If this is the case we have powerful advocates for the homeless who are immensely respected by those who are homeless. Words from those individuals to those who are homeless will probably mean far more than a cop saying if you drink here under the bridge we will arrest you. Those who speak for the homeless are often the ones we are mostly likely to listen to.

I am gravely concerned about this situation, not just because I am desperately afraid for Alicia but for all those who sleep on the streets. These people are not just my friends, but they are all our brothers and sisters in Christ. They like us are Children of God and deserve to be treated as such.We shouldn't turn away when the vans pull up to the sidewalk and men with badges, guns and dogs come and take these people away perhaps to camps somewhere that only lack a sign over the gate saying "Arbeit Macht Frei. Germany in the 30's was regarded as one of the most civilized countries in Europe and yet brought to past perhaps the most horrific period in all human history with the Holocaust.The homeless are today's Jews here in St Petersburg. Before the Pogrom we should do everything we can to prevent another horror.

For more information, you may contact Reverend Bruce Wright at bgcwright@aol.com