Police Chief Noble Wary apologizes to the homeless people who had their things thrown out by the city, says they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. County Executive Moe Parisi and Mayor Paul Soglin allow Occupy to stay and are sending staff to help them find housing.
It’s a whole new day for the homeless in Madison. We many soon have a warming center, there’s one new porta-pottie downtown, and a permanent day center may be on its way. I hear rumors of a real locker program. It seems as tho the city and county are finally taking the needs of the homeless seriously and I could not be happier. I know there is a ton of work to be done here, and I think they are delusional if they think they are going to find housing for those who need it, but I applaud the attempt and I can’t wait to see how they respond to the many, many barriers people have. I see this as tremendous progress and I could not be happier than if no one is sleeping in a tent on East Washington in a month. But I also don’t want those who are not there to get left behind. Will they also help the guy sleeping on my porch and the 4 sleeping in my house? And the people sleeping in doorways with lockers on my porch? And the many people that Tami feeds every Saturday or the people who come to the Bubbles program or the people who go to Bethel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, or my friend that is now in housing and would love a part-time job cooking somewhere or my other friend that was getting mental health treatment but on the 4th will again have no home? Ok, I know, I’ll be happy with what they are offering, but I’m not sure they understand the problem is 100s of people without housing, not just a dozen or so in tents on East Washington. For now, we’ll celebrate the great progress! I couldn’t be happier for the people I have met in the last 8 months – but I also hope we are not getting their hopes up to be disappointed all over again. All I know at the moment is that I am so grateful to Chief Wray, Mayor Paul Soglin and County Executive Joe Parisi for their change in tone. That’s a positive step forward.
Meanwhile, check out the apology. Dignity and respect – I hope that is the city and county’s new motto when dealing with people without homes.
Take a bow, Brenda. Thanks for all your hard work on this.
Thanks for your persistence and hard work in speaking for those who do not have a voice themselves!
Major kudos to Brenda, Tami, Craig, Ed, Jen, Will, Luca, Trina and the many others that supported the victims of the City’s insensitive and illegal actions and called for accountability. This is a good first step, but I don’t believe folks have received compensation for the damages they suffered and compliance policies still need to be implemented. Homeless Issues Committee has requested a report within 30 days of Oct. 23 from both the City and County regarding their compliance policies for property found by public officials.
Is it reasonable to expect your police will be courteous and respectful to everyone they encounter? Of course. For more, follow my blog at http://improvingpolice.wordpress.com.