this post was submitted on 14 Jul 2023
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Antiwork
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It somewhat seems that people who have not been victims of the devastation causes by the expansion of homeless encampments want those that have been to stay quiet. My brother gets woken up multiple times a week because someone lights a fire under the bridge next to his apartment building. I had to leave a once wonderful neighborhood because of needles at the playground, and an explosion of property crime and violence. At some point, the safety of the general public needs to be taken into account, and when fire and needles enter the picture, I'm comfortable in stating that's the time.
I had an awesome apartment in University, that was awesome until the city relocated the needle exchange next door. It quickly got to the point where I had to literally and carefully think through every single action I made, everyday. I had to take my car home, I couldn't open my windows for fresh air. You had to take a flashlight to do groceries in the dark, because you had to make sure you didn't step on any needles, like it literally turned into a junkie warzone in less than a year. Longest year of my life. I think it was my time down there that has narrowed my viewpoint on this topic somewhat. I, too, used to be all touchy feely and bleeding heart on this topic, but I'm a lot more jaded these days.
According to some people here, you're a terrible person for not just letting these people come into your home and giving them all your food and money.
I feel like there's a whole lot of people in this thread that don't have a f****** clue what it's like to be involved with this unfortunate segment of society.
It's a tough spot. It's the intersection of human empathy and the reality of the absolute darkness in some people. I think a lot of people have their heart in the right place but far too much naivety.
You want to help, but if you've been exposed to homeless people they will drain every drop of empathy from you. I know in my head it's mostly just the worst of the worst, but I used to work next to a homeless shelter and they'd pee on and scratch my car, they'd chase me through the parking lot and alley threatening me, and I got mugged twice after staying late at work. I lived downtown for a while and they'd steal anything left out and they'd cut open my garbage bags and scatter them on the stoop looking for cans (even though I'd set them aside for easy collection, the second person by would destroy the bags looking).
Emotionally you just can't look past that after a point. There are lots of people who need help, but also a lot that don't want it and seem happy victimizing others.
I still donate to shelters and the food bank, but I live far from downtown now. I don't know how to help these people, I just try to help the ones who do know and do have hope.