WEST SALEM
Neighborhood group targets homelessness, other issues
BY EUNICE KIM
Statesman Journal
February 18, 2007
The West Salem Neighborhood Association has developed four goals that members want to start tackling this year to improve their community.
The goals include addressing the issue of homeless people living in Wallace Marine Park, upgrading West Salem Park, developing a list of places where sidewalks are needed and creating a community garden, association member Don Homuth said.
The goal regarding the homeless comes in response to problems West Salem residents have faced because of people living in Wallace Marine Park. They say problems include bicycle thefts, drug use and unsanitary conditions in the park.
It is not enough, association members say, for the city of Salem to sweep through the park a couple of times per year, rousting the homeless and cleaning up the area.
"You can't do anything today to fix it," Homuth said. "It has to be a long-term solution. It may be beyond the reach and capability of the neighborhood association."
Association members, though, can start generating ideas for solving the problem, he said, and work with the city, county and social-service agencies to take action.
"I think it's really exciting that the neighborhood association doesn't just come to the meetings and talk about complaints," association chairman Scott Erickson said. "We're actually looking to see what's broken and see what we can do to fix it. We actually focus on stuff to help the community be better."
ekim@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6721
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4 comments:
This is very interesting. First, what are they going to do with the homeless once they "roust" them. Like our book said- sometimes they arrest them. I think that those are big steps for a neighborhood association and it makes me happy to see that people are actually trying to make things better.
Erin K., May I offer one example of this “dislocation” of the homeless as it pertains to where I live. When I first arrived in Alamogordo (1974) the homeless (vagrants) were given a one-way bus ticket to El Paso, Texas. The local sheriffs’ department took these individuals to the bus station to ensure their departure. Eventually El Paso took note of what was going on and refused to be part of this program. Since then, the homeless have set up a “camp” just outside the city limits. The problem with this scenario is that the vagrancy problem (homeless) has never been properly addressed. By “shipping” these individuals off to another location nothing is done to solve the problem! While I do agree that no one wants to be accosted by these individuals (panhandling) there is a definite need for us to address the homeless situation. Note: Unfortunately, some of these individuals prefer their way of existence and refuse any help. However, some are caught up in a hopeless situation with no foreseeable way out. Question: What do you see as a viable alternative to the dislocation of this social group? Thank you for your comment. Have a great day. Sincerely, Mark.
This article hit right back to the first chapter of the book about how cities handle homelessness. I would like to know what exactly is rousting the homeless and cleaning up the streets? Is this method working, because it doesn't seem to be. Just like the city official Homuth mentions that it is a long term solution for to solve the problem. Working with the city, county and social services is the best way to address it but isn't something can be fixed over night.
It is a relief that the city of Salem is addressing this issue, when so many cities try to avoid it. Great subject matter to intergrate with the class. Thanks for post.
Tlosa,I agree with you that it will take the combined efforts of all city and county social services to address this issue. Although I no longer live in Salem when I did reside there it was a great place to raise a family. The Pacific Northwest is some of the most beautiful land on God's green earth.I thank you for your heartfelt comments. Sincerly, Mark
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