Policing the Homeless in Lakeland

Homelessness.

Few social problems strike as many nerves as does the issue of homelessness. It spans the boundaries of race, gender, and economic status. The homeless include single men, single women, drug addicts, and unfortunately far too many children. Recent news stories about vicious assaults on the homeless have once again raised concerns about how our community deals with the problem.

Policing the homeless is a complex proposition that also strikes many nerves. Here is a glimpse into the problem from a police perspective.

Whether by choice or by chance, an individual finding themself homeless will discover both empathy and repulsion within our community. Many community members feel a need to help the homeless through financial support or by volunteering their time at one of many service providers in Lakeland. Others feel a tremendous amount of disgust toward the homeless, believing their situation is the result of laziness and choice.

And where do the police fit into this problem? Usually stuck between a rock and a hard place if you want to know the truth - between people who do not believe making arrests will solve the social ills which are the root cause of homelessness (Where is your compassion officer?) to the mindset that we can remove the problem by simply arresting everyone (For gosh sakes officer, do something - they are dirty and disgusting, and they make me fear for my safety!).

The fact of the matter is pretty clear - for whatever the reason someone becomes homeless, their situation reflects a larger social problem for our community. The stark reality of the problem is that it will not be solved merely by enforcing the law. Alcoholism, substance abuse, mental health issues, and unemployment are often associated with the homeless. Thus, arresting someone for a minor violation will not clean up our streets or make the problem go away because arrest is not an effective deterrent to drug abuse, and arrested individuals seem to have a hard time maintaining steady employment when they are in jail.

Lakeland is well known across the country as a very supportive and compassionate community where the homeless can find comfort and assistance. Thus, we end up becoming a magnet for hundreds of individuals who descend upon Lakeland because it is a nice place to be if you are homeless. We pour our hearts and financial support into worthy endeavors to help the homeless - and then get frustrated when their numbers swell beyond what one community can do to assist. We end up with unwanted consequences, including visual blight and sense of fear...and demand the police clean up the problem. If it were only that easy.

A recent letter to the editor in The Ledger asked the question if it is against City Code for the homeless to sleep along the street. The simple answer is no - our camping ordinance that would prohibit such behavior has previously been declared to be unconstitutional, and the homeless have every much of a right to be on a public sidewalk as the next person, regardless of the time of day and no matter how much we dislike the appearance they give to our community.

          

Cops are pretty straight forward when it comes to dealing with social problems like homelessness. If the conditions and behaviors equate to a crime, then I can make arrests all day long - only to flood the criminal justice system with cases and never solve the problem. Give me a range of service providers and alternative strategies that can deal with the problem more effectively than jail, and I will ensure everyone who wants help gets it.

The problem is our officers do not have that option - there simply are more homeless in Lakeland than the social service agencies can help. Why do we have so many homeless? Refer above to the fact that we are known as a compassionate community and a good place to go if you are homeless. You can begin to see the vicious cycle we are into here - one that we cannot arrest our way through.

This issue is too complex to address in a single posting, but we thought it might be beneficial to start some public dialog on the subject once again. So we ask - what are your ideas or concerns about how we should deal with the homeless? What role should the police have in this huge social problem? How does a community like Lakeland best deal with our homeless population? Is compassion the best way to solve the problem or is tough love the answer?

-Asst Chief Bill LePere

Comments

[JC]

I think that the homeless situation is a hard situation but with everyone pulling together we can handle the situation buy getting them back to school and work.Look being homeless is not easy one bit,I know because I myself was homeless. It really sucks waking up wondering if your goin to find food

[Regina & Terry]

We are a middle age couple that has been homeless for a while now,not because we want to be but because there just is no work out there for my ol man to do. I am waiting on the state to get my SSI check started and have no idea how much longer that will take. We would like more than anything to be able to get a place of our own and not have to keep putting up tents where ever we can and pray and hope that someone does not come along and either rob us or tell us that we have to move somewhere else. I have a few heath problems that i find it hard to take care of myself the way that i should with the foods i eat and not having a secure place to call home but we have made it this far and as long as we have each other and god we will make it till we can do better. like the saying goes,(what doesn't kill you only makes you stonger)

[Carol Martling]

I am looking for my brother who is homeless in lakeland.I have sent flyers to the shelters with no responce. His name is David Wamsley he is very sick.The police cant help me,If anyone has any idea of how i can find him please let me know.My name is Carol Martling and i live in Arizona.Thank You.

[adrian richards]

I'm in lakeland florida,and I can't find work.I need a Ticket back home.Please help.

[Lakelandmom]

Every single person who commented here is right - despite the varying responses. We each have our own views based on our own experiences.

I was homeless - but very few people knew it. I maintained an excellent, highly visible position I was in for 5 years and nobody outside of 1 or 2 co-workers knew I was sleeping in my car. I went to work, I paid my bills, I ate fast food, but I didn't have a 'home'. It was a short time, because I did what I had to do and was able to find affordable housing. But only because a complete stranger paid the deposit for me. I could make the rent, I just didn't have the up-front needed.

I don't suffer from any drug or mental problems, and I didn't choose to be homeless. I simply made less than it took to pay all my bills and went through some hard times. I continue to maintain a very comfortable home and I am more grateful for it than I would be if I had not experienced that brief glimpse into being without a home.

Not every homeless person chooses to be homeless. I believe that the service providers should screen the homeless for those who qualify for the help they need. If they are like me, they'll pass the requirements, get the help they need and can be productive in the community.

However, if they do choose to be homeless, is that a crime? Is sleeping on the street, asking for money or food and not being bathed a crime? Absolutely not. Why should the police be called if no crime is being committed?

This can go the opposite direction, too. When a homeless person chooses to be homeless and things become unbearable, they may commit a crime simply out of hope that they will be arrested. That way they can get 3 meals, a shower and a bed indoors. We can't NOT arrest them if they commit the crime, so what then? It is a vicious cycle and I don't think there is any solution for those who choose to be homeless. Sneer at them if you like, but for gosh sakes, get those who don't have a choice off the streets. Get them work with a city or county agency like Vince said, by all means. Give them hope.

How do we identify those who choose and those who do not? It starts with the service providers. Maybe the state can cut them a deal on some photo id equipment...a 'Transient ID' they can carry. Either they're working towards productivity or they're not. They could show their ID card to prospective employers and landlords so they will be more flexible.

You don't HAVE to give an address or phone number at a job interview, but of course it does help. You can drop by the place every other day to check on the status. I think the problem there is that employers automatically distrust them. So, if the service providers get enough information to identify their strengths and weaknesses, it might be a start.

I know it's hard to help someone only to have them spit in your face. By knowing WHO you're helping in advance, that may be avoided. If there were 'transient id's', I would want to see it before I offered money. Otherwise I would tell them where they could go to get a 'transient id' so that they could get more help.

These are just a few thoughts rumbling around in this old gal's head, and Chief, you are correct, this is way too big a subject to cover in a few blog comments. Good subject, though, one that needs alot more community involvement and discussion and cooperation. I don't envy you (LPD/police in general) the task of stepping in when no crime has been committed.

[JLE]

In college the book “The rich get richer and the poor get prison by Jeffery Reiman, was a great book to read.
During my lifetime I have had many run ins with homeless people. My grandfather, who passed, tried to help the homeless in his own way in Orlando. He would never give money. When a person stated they needed money for food, my grandfather would invite them to any steak house and he would pay for biggest meal on the menu. For about 10 years no person ever wanted that offer.
Here in Lakeland I have had several run ins with homeless. Once I had a man ask me for money to get food. I offered him my own lunch, the man accepted the lunch and then when I was almost out of site -he threw the bag on the ground and stomped on it. How angry do you think I was! Not only was I out of a lunch, but this changed my view of homeless. After a year, another person caught me at lunch outside of a fast food chicken place. The man ask for money to buy food. I hesitated and offered to the man to come with me inside and I’ll buy any meal. The man came in with me and ordered a bucket of chicken. I paid and as I was leaving, looked though the glass and seen the man sitting down inside eating the food. Helping this man gave me a great, warm feeling of ......happiness. I almost cried.
I have heard many homeless people with their excuse lines: I need x- amount of money to stay at the Talbot house or the same man that stands out infront of a drugstore day after day claiming that he is out of gas down the road or the woman who claims she is pregnant for the 13 month in a row! Then about two years later I found myself homeless for about 3 months, no one knew, not even my family, this would have been for me- embarrassing and shame to my family’s name.
I wonder, do these people feel embarrassed or ashamed? I have to keep in mind that everyone’s situation is different and just like apples their is always one in the batch that is not as sweet as the others.

[Bailey]

what do you people expect from the homeless... okay there you see this as a bad problem going on right? well what the hell dont you think they do as well?! they are living on the streets.. of course you dont understand because you are living in you nice big comfy houses eating well and you scorn these people because they arent able to do the same. and you cant say well its their choice. no its not because they didnt ask to not be able to find a job ... they didnt ask to be like this it just happens sometimes.. things happen.. its the way of life... you want them out of the streets? go help them... offer up an old suit or something you dont wear so they can go and try to get a good job.. go offer food. something.. anywhere is a start.

[brackston]

"CANT IGNORE THE POOR ITS JESUS IN DISGUISE"

[Lins]

I mean... obviously you want to "help" the "problem" right? Well, first of all.. I think it's quite distasteful for us to label any one human being as a "problem". I mean, humans can cause problems but haven't we all come from the same place? Were we not all born from a woman's womb? At some point, these "problems" were the victims of some injustice and now... they have no where to go. I recognize that some people who live on the streets choose to be there... but i honestly think that we are called to LOVE them anyway. And quite possibly, to LOVE them through this time. Our society has given up on this kind of LOVE... unconditional, wanting nothing in return. Why? Because we think we "deserve" something in return for it, right? Well, I'm telling you... the "return" of it all, is the blessing of being able to give this gift. If you want people off of your streets then LOVE them, truly love them. We are all human beings... and people who are in a desperate place surely did not initially choose to be there. Not everyone will always- or should always- fit into this "perfect" society we've created, but everyone deserves the right to love and be loved. Remember that how you treat them, will only teach them how to treat others. If you treat them with "toughness" then you are teaching them to be "tough"... and that is not the answer. So, I encourage all of you to see beyond the smell or the dirt or the lack of home... and see a soul, see a person in need. All I'm saying is that we treat each person with the same love and respect as we would our own neighbor, our own family, our own friend. Now, I have a good friend who has been in Lakeland doing this very thing. He was taking care of these people with no home... feeding them, loving them... ministering to their needs. He has now been taken into your jail for helping. I would ask how this is a crime, since he is actually assisting the need??? I feel as thought he is aiding your true desire to make Lakeland a better place to live by providing hope and love to broken, poor and unwanted people. Is he not? Well, regardless of your decision this man will carry a positive message wherever He goes because he is more concerned with the heart of a person than the look of them. God will continue to change lives through him whether it be in prison or on the streets or in the church. So, if you want to put him somewhere where he will be ineffective, then good luck with that. But if you truly feel as though you did in paragraph 6- "Lakeland is well known across the country as a very supportive and compassionate community where the homeless can find comfort and assistance.", then you'll let him go to do what he does best.

[vince]

Some communities deal with the issue by passing ordinances which are useless if not unconstitutional. I now live in St Petersburg,but grew up in Lakeland. Some people choose to be homeless. Its a "lifestyle choice". Cool. However, these people are a DRAIN on resources that should be used to help those that TRULY need it. Heres a plan, but until society takes a "tough love" approach it will never work. You are homeless. You will be given a CHOICE. You will be given job training and/or substance abuse counseling as well as mental health services. You will be provided housing, food, etc. You WILL work for the city/county/state to provide you with a basis to start saving and to defray room/board. As you progress, you can gain regular employment. You may participate for 1 year. Now, if you refuse to participate, you become ineligible for food stamps, or any other "social services" programs. Why should I bust my butt supporting MY family...yet you CHOOSE to be a non contributer to society.

[cody]

yes i'm glad that they say that lakeland is a nice place to be for the homless..
i my self has been homless for 2 yrs and its not fun not even 1% of fun but i think if you homless and ur not bothering anyone and keeping to your self and picking up after your self then you should be left alone and i can also see why law enforcement comes in because there are alot of drug adict's and dirty and disgusting ppl out there

[Kathy Courtney]

My family and I were going through Lakeland Thursday evening, May 15, 2008. We drove upon an accident near I-4 where a woman had just been hit by a vehicle. My children and I saw her and were so upset, but help was already on the way so we went on.
We watched the news and internet for details and not a word was ever mentioned about the incident.
Finally, my mother called the Lakeland Police Dept. and was told by an officer that the woman was homeless and had indeed died.
Why was this never mentioned? It seems so uncaring to us that her death was not worth bringing up, but maybe you can tell me a reason I don't understand for this silence. Thanks.

Kathy Courtney

[Amanda]

I disagree with the poster that stated "there are FAR more who have made behavioral choices that have led down that path." Certainly a percentage has made behavioral choices that resulted in their being homeless. However, I contend that the percentage in that respect is smaller than perceived. Sometimes life simply happens - take for example the "housing/mortgage" crisis. Add increasing layoffs as more companies are outsourcing jobs to other countries. Factor in that as a whole, our society is driven by "buy now and pay later". So when a tragedy strikes, whether it be layoff, illness or any unplanned major event - there simply is no recovery for that in the short-term before that individual can avoid homelessness. To even qualify for even food stamps, one has to about lose everything. By then, it's too late to stop the derailing train.

I would further contend that the illusion frequently associated with the homeless that they "must be drug addicts, alcoholics, criminals, mentally ill, etc" as being causative to their situation is more often than not the consequence of their situation, rather than the reason they became homeless. In my lifetime, I have yet to encounter a true alcoholic (before end stage alcoholism) who couldn't "smooze" his way into a roof over his head. As for mental illness being causative? There is minimal at best even for the insured to cover services for the mentally ill.

I don't see the homeless so much as a law enforcement problem to "fix" but a community problem. A national survey conducted, as best I can recall, in 2007 or 2006 ranked Florida as 48th in the nation as far as volunteerism. Already substantial budget cuts are impacting on every aspect of government funded agencies and services. Even the charities for the most part have become so money driven that many of them have lost sight of their original mission. As for the churches? Not a viable source of real help overall.

Even those homeless who pound the pavement to look for a job need to be able to bath, have proper clothing at a minimum. Hard to effectively handle a job interview when one's stomach is growling. Can't apply for a job without and address not to mention, how is an employer going to contact a homeless person who has no telephone and no address?

The "haves" as it were who could make even a small difference to the homeless react as though the homeless are an "insult" when in fact, but for the grace of God, any of those "haves" could find themselves in the same position with zero help.

[Richard]

While there are examples of homelessness that are circumstantial, and beyond the short term control of that person, there are FAR more who have made behavioral choices that have led down that path.

Drugs, alcohol, and a feeling that society owes them something simply because they were born are common themes within the homeless community.

Enabling those behaviors and choices will never truly help that person. No more so than allowing a child to play with fire to placate a desire we know would be harmful to them.

Tough love is the only way to truly help someone making choices that are self destructive.. Enabling them makes us complicit in that destruction..

[Vince]

St Pete is currently being sued for cutting up tents in the "infamous" tent city. SPPD officers are simply overwheled by the sheer numbers of homeless here. Its bad in Lakeland, but worse here.