Update: Meeting with the Police

A LOT has happened since the previous post, two down. But, this morning, I met with the "new" Area Coordinator/Commander for the police department, at a local cafe, where we talked for a bit over an hour.

As I recounted below, a beat officer had encouraged me to contact his superior within the dept. toward initiating a discussion of "the homeless" and the police enforcing of the various laws against us, as well as possibly toward identifying some better ways to go. So I'd acted on his suggestion and sent an email. That was months and months ago. No one had even responded to that email.

A couple of months went by and, one day, I was cleaning up my email and ran across the sent item. At that moment it just peeved me that I hadn't even been responded with so much as make-nice, boilerplate acknowledgment of simply having received my email. So I checked the local city/police website and found an email address for a Community Affairs officer and forwarded the original email to that address with a short note explaining that I'd been ignored and asking who might be an appropriate contact.

I then received a fairly prompt response, finally acknowledging me and telling me that there had been some departmental reorganization and that they were also forwarding my email to another person. Shortly, I then received a cordial email from the new Area Coordinator/Commander inviting to meet with me. We exchanged a couple more to establish a context (she wanted to know if I represented any group(s) beyond just myself) and some topic, then scheduled a time/place - a local cafe'.

She arrived a bit late this morn, while I'd gotten there early and had grabbed a table. I was outside looking around when I spotted her driving up in an unmarked police car, looking a bit grim, really. But I greeted her, and she joined me at the table within, but declined to grab a coffeee, so we sat down and I got right to the point.

I was pleased to find her attentive, interested and responsive. I explained my own position, my priority concerns and hopes. She did pose some of the more difficult, frank questions as well, about the issues raised, but made a point of expressing her own "compassionate" nature and seeking what preferred options may be considered and/or available.

Our main items of concern:

• As it is now, local codes mostly criminalize simply being homeless, when it comes to unavoidable pragmatics, such as where one can be or, more so, just sleep. My own take is that the city needs to designate specific places where this is legally allowed, in some form. Both those "camping" and those fortunate enough to have vehicles.

• "The homeless" is too broad, and too unfortunately stigmatizing of a term. There is more variety of types of people unfortunately in that status and plight. I urged her and her officers to realize this, and that the awareness might influence their conduct and treatment towards individuals. I explained to her what a personal offense it can be, even practically, to be "enforced" against and disrespected, in reality. Not to mention burdened with "fines" and all the more problems to have to overcome to get out of the jam.

• I was surprised to find that she seemed incompletely informed about actual local code applica\ble, such as that specifying the "obstructing sidewalk" citations, which I was subjected to once. She showed me a reference card she carries which reads as though code prohibits sitting/lieing on sidewalks more generally than I've found the full, actual code to do. Similarly, we discussed the irony of code disallowing habitation in vehicles, including those only temporarily or provisionally adapted to that use.

The obvious solution is to designate some areas allowing for both the  "camping" and habitable vehicle overnight parking. Just where this might be done is somewhat unclear, although some options came to mind. But her own take on this was that it's mainly a matter of "cost" to do so. And some anticipation of problem people.

But I maintained that no matter what does or doesn't take place, these problems exist anyway... but without such option for the more reasonable, responsible people to be okay and, at best, progress. She got the point.

Twenty Ten!

I let this blog lapse again -- for months! And so much has happened.

A biggest change is that I'm now in an "RV van", which is about the largest a van can be, before becoming a more full-fledge "RV" and about the smallest an RV can be, before just being a van.

The move from being "out there" on the streets, to being in a vehicle like this is major. It may be as, or more, significant a difference as it would be to go from here to "indoors" in a residence, really. To have one's own private space, out of the weather and elements and vulnerabilities, is so important. And to be able to carry and keep so many more belongings and provisions is a major improvement. And that's not to mention the increased mobility.

Of course, I still have my bicycle which is now mounted on a rack on the back, but the trailer has been collapsed and placed in my storage unit. And I'm still using some backpacks to organize some things even within the van, although it's got built-in cabinetry and storage facilities.

Another precious boon is that ability to use HEAT, especially this time of year! The van has onboard propane systems, including a heater. I'd been using that heater with the last of the propane in the onboard tank, until it ran out. Just recently I discovered that the tank needs some servicing which I'm unable to get done right now. So I'm using a two-burner, portable propane "camp stove" to heat, which does a pretty close job. AND affords the opportunity to do some modest cooking outside the vehicle, which has its use and charms.

Sequel to Previous Posting (see below)

At about 12:30am, the same officer parked his vehicle and began striding down the sidewalk. This was one block over from the location previously reported about. It's typical for people to drift back into an area within days after folks have been chased out. After all, there still aren't any other places to go and there's the nightly need to be... somewhere.

This particular location is a sidewalk along one end of a block and, presumably, is one of the few places that people are ever allowed because it's in front of a large church property and, on the other side of the street, is a row of apartments mostly occupied by college kids (which have their own... uh, "disorderly" and dubious scenes) so perhaps it's felt that this is a lower impact situation than, say, where homeowners and families reside.

I'd only just arrived and so paused when I spotted the officer arriving, wondering if this meant a repeat experience pending -- possibly another routine roust. As he walked by me, heading down the lineup of sleeping persons toward a more active and boisterous group toward the far end, he seemed to recognize me and greeting me with: "Hello, sir." Unusually respectful.

I watched as he encountered others down the way, flashing his light onto the property and scanning for the more hidden ones. [It's "trespassing" to be ON that property]

After a short while, he walked back down my way and so I asked him outright if he was going to be making us go, again. He hesitated a moment and then responded: "Not right now." This kind of noncommital, opaque statement is common from the police. One must often try to 'read between the lines'.

But he then went on to strike up a conversation with me. He began by expressing his "frustration" about being missioned to go out on his beat and "chase" people around, fully aware that there are no other real alternatives or options that are any more 'legal' and nothing being provided by the Powers That Be, either. And that folks will only come back -- CAN only come back, being merely shuffled (harassed) back and forth among very limited options.

We briefly reviewed my own status, predicament and outlook. He seemed a bit intrigued about me and found me sober, sane and reasonably articulate and knowledgable. He wanted to know if I, personally, might have any ideas about any potential solutions or degree of relief for this paradoxical, impractical game board we're all on.

I admitted that I did have some opinions and maybe even pragmatic ideas, and that I also shared some of the very real concerns that housed residents and law enforcement obviously do, too. He then told me about his superior officer who is the person within the police department and is in charge of these campaigns, issuing orders for him and other officers to go out and handle these things as they are. And he gave me a business card for the guy, pointing out that his email address was on there -- encouraging me to contact him and attempt to strike up some kind of dialoque.

He then shook my hand and thanked me for the discussion, before heading off on his duties. He let us all remain, after having directed some to quiet down. I noticed that he did not ticket the few sleeping persons that were 'trespassing' on the property.

He told me that he'd just counted 40 people out there.

I 'overslept' about 15 minutes this morn. The tacit departure time from there is 7am. I was awakened by that same officer, walking down the sidewalk again, saying "Wake up! This is your Wakeup Call!" to everyone.

Berkeley Continues to Outlaw Homelessness

Pictured above: Police cruiser pulled up to curb at about 12:30am to awaken people and send them all away.


The officer was unusually polite, even respectful and (all the more unusual) expressed compassion -- while still having to do his job. Last night, that job included waking everyone up that he found sleeping on sidewalks or any other public places and sending them on their way to.... well, nowhere else to do any sleeping. As he explained, the city is "cracking down" on people sleeping... ANYwhere, that isn't rented or owned by those sleeping there.


He also reminded folks that former locations, like a number of local churches, that have historically looked the other way and allowed people sleeping-refuge, no longer were available. The city requires property owners to file a form with city hall, if they EVER want police enforcements for "trespassing" violations on their property, which also grants the city discretionary powers for such enforcements, too. Once filed, this means that then the police are empowered to come look for people on properties and cite or arrest them for trespassing, whether or not the rightful property owners have asked for that, complained or not.


Sleeping is NOT illegal in Berkeley. Nor is there any specific code outlawing sleeping in public places. However, all parks and other city locations are "closed" to ANY public use during night hours. And city code DOES include restrictions against such things as "obstructing the sidewalk" which can then be applied to someone sleeping at a curbside, even though NOT really obstructing the majority of pedestrian area of the sidewalk. Theoretically, someone might pull up to the curb at unlikely locations and park and a passenger may wish to exit the vehicle right there where someone is sleeping. So simply being there is what's illegal, if for more than an hour at a time.

The officer asked people for their names and dates of birth, so that if any were found sleeping somewhere else later, they could then be cited for a knowing infraction after having been duly advised. However, ID's weren't checked, and disclosing identity like that isn't legally required, so folks were being asked to provide the possibly incriminating info on an "honor system".


While I'd just been drifting off to sleep myself, the fact is I hadn't been there quite a full hour yet, so I'd not yet broken any laws. But I gathered my belongings up and headed out, of course.

A short while later, I arrived at one of the very few all-night corner markets and that same officer was there in the pårking lot, sitting in his car. To his credit, he approached me when he saw me and again apologized, expressing his regret and personal discomfort that while the Powers That Be would mission him with such a callous duty it wasn't also complemented with any offering of any reasonable alternatives or appropriate resources for people's basic human needs. He also offered to buy me a cup of coffee, which I graciously declined as I wasn't in that kind of need. Besides, a coffee at that hour would... well, keep me up. ;-)

I happened to know of a spot nearby, on private property but with some permission by the owners for such stays, that I've rarely used but had to on this occasion.

There were a lot of people out in the area I'd first retired and I can only wonder where everyone else may have gone. Or where we all will tonight.

Howdy, Neighbor!

This is a picture of one of my "neighbors," G.D. He stands a solid 6'1" at 240lbs or so. And G.D. can be excitable.

The other night, he and I were toe-to-toe and eye-to-eye out on the street outside a cafe'. He'd just almost got into a fight with the night manager there and now was up in my face, with a fierce, crazed menacing look and growling threats between his clenched teeth. He really, really wanted me to give him a cigarette!

He and I have previously had things worked out in more... well, neighborly fashion... which I reminded him and invoked. And it worked. This time.

The next morning, on my way to coffee, I ran across G.D. handcuffed and being strapped to a gurney. Between wild snarlings at his Helpers, he shot me a defiant smile for a second. But he makes this trip about one a week or so. And is usually back on the streets in a couple of days.

The raw reality is that G.D. is just one among quite a few others, each with their own... shall we say, quirks? Some are truly among the most dangerous of persons. Others delightfully harmless. And everything inbetween.

Welcome to your new neighborhood! And your new social life, as you will be spending a lot of time around and among these. And must needs get along and fit in, somehow. Once they recognize and know you're among them, many then figure they have a LOT more free access to you. And too many know where you... live. And some know where you sleep.

-----

Breaking news:

I just learned that there was a stabbing this morn, out on the street. Just down the way from where I "live".

Goin' to the Dogs

Many homeless folks have dogs. Advantages can be:

• Protection - especially the many pitbull types.
• Companionship - Hey, it gets lonesome out here!

One friend recently was given a puppy. He's a very good, caring person and was concerned that it hadn't had it's shots yet. A real downside of having a pet 'out here' is that homeless people often must spend time in some of the... well, less hygienic... places. And worms and other pests can be a real problem for critters.

So he set out to seek some help with that. Guess what? Shots and other pet essentials ARE available by some outfits. That is, IF you have an address.

Once again....

Berkeley - #10 Meanest City to Homeless

In the photo above, taken about 7:30am the morning of August 18, 2009, we see a 72 year old man that's been awakened by a Berkeley Police officer and has been sitting in his sleeping bag for a good half hour or so while the officer uses a device to measure the area occupied and actually awaited arrival of a "Crime Scene Unit" so that another officer could bring their digital camera and take pictures.

THEN the first officer gives him a citation ticket for being there. These tickets can mean a fine of over $200, which is more than for entire vehicle parking infractions or even some traffic violations, including those that might pose even dangerous safety risks. Huh?

Does this seem out of scale, at all? Overkill? A good, appropriate or cost-effective use of city budget, police, civic resources?

HOW might this "solve the problem"... and just what IS "the problem"? Did ANYone actually complain about this old guy sleeping there, or is this yet another in a program of basic harassing actions by the cops and the city, on their own initiative?

I mean, really. It's an old man. A homeless old man. One that was sleeping and obviously has tidily arranged his meagre collection of belongings, which have only been temporarily located at that spot and which he'd move once he awoke and got going.

This police action followed a growing number of similar ones in recent times, where homeless folks were disturbed and either made to leave and/or cited. Tellingly, the police deliberately do so either late at night or early in the morning, apparently purposely awakening people and harassing them at the most inconvenient and difficult times. And then only made to go... where else?

Worse, last week like many times before, homeless people not only get chased away and/or cited, but their minimal possessions are taken. Just thrown away. This has included their bedding, clothing, etc. leaving them all the more destitute and trapped on the streets empty handed... where they continue to be at risk for just more of this same callous, heartless harassment... to WHAT possible good end?

Late one night not long before this photo was taken, several cops and cruisers had arrived at a location where a number of people had been sleeping to drive everyone away and I had approached two officers on foot that were walking about waking people up to chase them away. I asked them directly and outright where people COULD go and be peaceably, instead. All they could and did tell me was that it was not there. Nor the next block, nor the next.

One officer said: "If you tuck yourself away somewhere else and there's no noise or problem, then I probably will have no reason to bother with you." Somewhere... else. "Tucked away". Probably.

Berkeley applies for, and receives, millions of dollars in various federal/state/etc. funding "to help the homeless". Here's how considerable city funds are actually being spent, for example.