Homeless man under ED station bridge

[Jeremy]

Otta Wrote:

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> I'm not an intellectual heavyweight at all Grok.

It's all relative.

[Sue]

Jeremy Wrote:

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> Otta Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > I'm not an intellectual heavyweight at all

> Grok.

>

> It's all relative.

:))

[Blah Blah]

Why did the man throw money at the OP and tell them to shove it up ..... etc? What happened the moment before that? That's why I wrote that it's hard to know what really happened. The OPs own words suggest to me that something else may have happened?

Just on homelessness. The number of rough sleepers, and people in temporary accomodation is rising significantly directly as a result of this government's policies. The number of people in need of treatment for mental health conditions is also rising. But there is no increase in resources or central funding to accomodate this.

If we don't want people like this 'littering' the streets then some thought needs to be given as to why they end up there, and why there are no resources to change their circumstances. A letter to your MP might be a more appropriate response than criminalising clearly unwell people.

[ratty]

Can we get a description of the chap and I'll speak to Southwark council about it.

[ukdealguide]

Blah blah, i ask the same question.. Why did he do what he did i have no idear i have never contacted the man i walk past him twice every day. It stated when one day me and my husband walked by having a conversation as we past him he swearing at us and two seconds later spitting in our direction, we ignore him as we pass him again on our way home, he doesnt do anything but I'm already there feeling a bit unconfortable walking past him. Then he has been swearing a couple of times when i was on my own.... Still ignoring him. The other day i walk past him again and only on my way home having my 9 month old baby in a sling and my 3 year old walking next to me does he throw money at us and swears at me and then my blood boils over i know he is probably on drugs or have a mental ilness but that doesnt mean that he get a free pass to be abusive. I am telling the story as it is i don't have anything against homeless people at all and i'm def not out to clear the street of East Dulwich for rough sleepers, obviously i would not have written if i had been a dick to the guy. I agree this man needs help, but i called the police and the day after (Friday) i walked past as the police where speaking to him, and they where being very very nice to the guy asking him if he had anywear to go. I think people dramatise of the way the police sometimes treat homeless people i don't say everybody does but there are some good guys out there too. The man was def not being "slung in the back of a meat wagon" trust me i have though of buying the guy some food and asking him why he is being that way but honestly i don't even dare just in case he becomes violent, when some people are sick like that they have a mind of a child and i just don't want to get anymore involved.

[Blah Blah]

That sounds then as though his mental health issue leads to anti-social behaviour. He might not even be homeless. One of the problems with care in the community when it was introduced is that it is far more difficult to monitor behaviour and medication etc in that environment. But targetted in patient treatment is very expensive.

The Police do have a procedure for referral, but short of locking someone up (or sectioning them), their power is limited. What often happens is a merry-go-round of exlusion, behaviour orders, overnight stays in a cell etc,

If alcohol or drugs are a factor, then it becomes even more difficult (and expensive) to fix. Many people claiming to be homeless for the purposes of begging, are not homeless at all, but need the money to feed an alcohol addiction.

Homeless charities and support services do not tolerate anti-social behaviour. He may well be beyond the help of available services to him. It's a difficult one.

[landsberger]

I never give money to street homeless, ever. Whilst people give this guy money, he has no incentive to move on. I do give generously to homelessness charities.

[ukdealguide]

You are right blah blah it is a dificult one.

Yes me neither, even if i sometimes want to but it does not help them in the long run i agree.

[Blah Blah]

There are lots of homeless organisations that provide food and most rough sleepers use them. It's usually quite obvious when someone is newly homeless, as their capacity to cope breaks down very quickly and eventually they find their way to one of the organisations that can help, usually by referral. If someone is begging, I always ask them what they need the money for. That gives me the opportunity to buy what they need for them. If they won't allow that but insist on having the money, then it's likely for alcohol, drugs or some other reason, and I don't give them it.