I try not to engage in Facebook arguments. It is not, in my experience,
a good medium for debate. There are far too many keyboard warriors out there,
meanings can be misinterpreted, and all sorts of nonsense gets spouted. Sometimes,
as well, it descends into an abusive exchange. Best to keep away from that, I
think.
Recently a Milton resident posted the following comment on my wall:-
So I go shopping by
foot to Hamlet Court Rd,and I DESPAIR...Everywhere are beggars,but drunk and
making you feel vunerable as you walk by,the shop keepers have had enough
trying to keep business going,one lady in the card shop said its got so bad
again makes you feel unsafe.A guy in Tesco said he now lives in Hadleigh as its
so bad,On route into my road,a guy.sitting on the floor by what used to be a
family run newsagents was shooting up drugs in the top of his leg,and just said
Sorry lady you saw that.As I continued walking in the road as pavements are so
bad causing you to trip up,I just got in knowing I wont spend the rest of my
days here,its awfull.Can our councillors please do something ..May I add ive
all the sympathy for genuine homeless,but not so many who make me feel unsafe
as I walk where ive lived for 39yrs..
I thought it would be useful to respond by putting my views on the
topic of the homeless and those that beg here.
I have a duty for all who reside in Milton ward, whether housed or not,
and regardless of how they acquire the
resources for life. I represent all,
voter or not, supporter or not. However, this does not mean that I approve of
bad behaviour, criminality, and the spoiling of the environment.
All who are homeless or beg are in need of help. Even those who are
'professional' beggars need our help. This help will, naturally, take all
manner of forms. In a nutshell, though, the issue boils down to a shortage of
affordable accommodation.
We are where we are; I shall not go into the failure of government thus
far in solving this issue. However, going forward we clearly need to build more
social housing and more truly affordable homes. By affordable, I mean homes
that are within the means of people on average incomes, and I also think the definition
includes 'suitable'. Developer avarice has to be tackled, as does planning policy
that hinders. I also think that government targets were a good thing, forcing
local authorities to address the problem rather than pander to NIMBYs.
So, we have to help the homeless. We also have to tackle bad behaviour.
Whatever the reason, and however unfortunate the perpetrator, no-one should be
allowed to get away with intimidating people, or discarding their rubbish
wherever they feel fit. Neither is general anti-social behaviour (like being
noisy late at night) to be tolerated.
Beggars beg through need. However, Southend-on-Sea is blessed with a
number of agencies that can help. There should be no need to beg. I would never
advise people to give to those that beg, give to the charities that help the
homeless instead. Beggars beg in certain location because they receive money -
and thus the quickest way to get rid of them is to remove the reason they beg,
thus the money supplied.
The homeless often have all sorts of issues that can make them
quite aggressive at times. However, I have never felt in danger or threatened,
and in reality the homeless are usually amongst the most vulnerable in our
town.
Coincidentally I met, in one of our local parks, a homeless man who I
was acquainted with whilst helping at a winter night shelter. He was in a bad way, clearly troubled.
Superficially I can see how he could come across badly, but he needs help.
In my humble opinion we need 'wet houses', places where those who are
homeless and who have substance issues can go. The current help really only
works in the long term for those who can control or avoid alcohol and drugs. I
will write more on this particular topic at another time.
Finally, there is no such thing as the deserving, or underserving, poor. There are just the poor, all of whom need help.
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