A home for the homeless discussion (a thread about it)

[KevinFromTexas]

Yes, mentally disturbed people break the law. They have a poor grasp of what's right and wrong and they do bad things. The point is, the man in that photo is not mentally stable. And while I don't think there is a medication that can help him, I know he shouldn't be walking the streets. And if you think he should be jailed longer, that's an issue for the state and feds as you're talking about prison, which counties don't generally do.

[Riverranchdrone]

Originally Posted by chinchaaa

first of all, people are advocating for democratic socialism, not communism. i wouldn't even say full democratic socialism. just universal healthcare and more equitable societies.

second, democratic socialism has and is currently successfully being utilized around the world, in some "third world" countries like denmark and the UK.

if you're going to try to contribute to the convo, at least do a little research first.

You are correct. Democratic socialism is very successful around the world. Most of Europe Canada and Japan use it and rank higher than us on Education and healthcare. Many of our own U.S. programs are democratic socialist programs. like social security police and fire. America's biggest mistake was letting corporations control capitalism. This bad Sigmund fraud idea is still running amuck and holding america back.

[gabetx]

Originally Posted by Novacek

You're claiming he was never tried on those charges?

No obviously he was, in which he was convicted. I am insinuating that Travis County typically hands out very light sentences or plea bargains, which allow criminals to be back on the streets much sooner than they should be, if they are even jailed at all. There is a huge problem in this city/county with repeat offenders committing violet crimes time and time again.

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

Yes, mentally disturbed people break the law. They have a poor grasp of what's right and wrong and they do bad things. The point is, the man in that photo is not mentally stable. And while I don't think there is a medication that can help him, I know he shouldn't be walking the streets. And if you think he should be jailed longer, that's an issue for the state and feds as you're talking about prison, which counties don't generally do.

Trials and subsequent penalties are given at the county level unless they are charged federally. Robbery and sexual assault of a child are state charges, which are handled by the county the crime was committed in. States and Feds only have control over parole.

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by gabetx

No obviously he was, in which he was convicted. I am insinuating that Travis County typically hands out very light sentences or plea bargains, which allow criminals to be back on the streets much sooner than they should be, if they are even jailed at all. There is a huge problem in this city/county with repeat offenders committing violet crimes time and time again.

So when were these convictions, how long was he sentenced for, and how long has he been out?

Since you obviously know all these details.

[gabetx]

Originally Posted by Novacek

So when were these convictions, how long was he sentenced for, and how long has he been out?

Since you obviously know all these details.

Did I ever claim to know this? I clearly said "It would be interesting to see where the robbery and sexual assault of a child convictions originated from." two posts up. But the fact that he's out of jail after sexually assaulting a 14 year old girl already tells me that he was given a lighter sentence than he should have been given.

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by gabetx

Did I ever claim to know this?

Yes, since you explicitly claimed he was out thanks to

Originally Posted by gabetx

your good old Travis County criminal justice system and district attorney's office

But it turns out you haven't a clue.

[KevinFromTexas]

Keep it civilized. I'd really rather not have political stuff in here, which is why I said this shouldn't be a political issue. I'm convinced the problem will never be solved, which is nuts because I remember a time when you never saw homeless people, at least, not on this level. Sure, we had some. Leslie Cochran, and "South Austin Jerry", but nothing like we have now. And it's clear to me that some of the people in that situation are not your typical homeless people since some have cars parked next to their tents. I see others sometimes sleeping in their cars. One family that was living in their station wagon around South Austin, and another older guy and his dog who I would always see parked near a restaurant we visit often. It really makes me sad. My first rection is not to blame anyone either.

[gabetx]

Originally Posted by Novacek

Yes, since you explicitly claimed he was out thanks to




But it turns out you haven't a clue.

I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt and believe you didn't fully read the article. It specifically states:

"In a search of his criminal history, KXAN found McPherson has a lengthy criminal background spanning Austin, Manor, Cedar Park and other parts of Williamson County, with convictions of DUIs, a number of drug charges, robbery, criminal trespassing, escaping police custody, and most notably the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl. McPherson remains on the state’s sex offender registry."

So yes, I know that he has a lengthy criminal record, which partly stems from Austin and Manor, which, in case you didn't know, is in Travis County. There are convictions out of WilCo as well. Which is why I said "It would be interesting to see where the robbery and sexual assault of a child convictions originated from." I think most people know that traditionally, WilCo tends to be tough of crime, while Travis County is known to slap wrists.

I'm not quite sure what your problem is here.

[enragedcamel]

Making homelessness a criminal offense does not solve the issue. It doesn't even contribute to solving the issue. The only thing it does is allow the police to move "undesirables" out of the city and out of sight of people who get their panties in a bunch at the sight of a disheveled person wearing rags and muttering to themselves. Such people's thought process isn't "wow, I'm clearly fortunate compared to these people, I wonder how I can help them." It is "wow, I feel so UNSAFE right now, someone needs to do SOMETHING about this mess! How dare these filthy, smelly sub-humans make me feel uncomfortable?!"

I don't think a reconciliation is possible because the two sides aren't merely having a difference in opinion. They just have fundamentally different worldviews and personal values.

[resansom]

Originally Posted by enragedcamel

...I don't think a reconciliation is possible because the two sides aren't merely having a difference in opinion. They just have fundamentally different worldviews and personal values.

Ever the optimist, I hope that reconciliation is possible - and a solution to homelessness that applies to every community. In the meantime, perhaps we need to append "No Politics" to every topic in this forum...

[mercury6]

at least we all agree homeless people should be sheltered, how we get there is the disagreement.

[We vs us]

Originally Posted by enragedcamel

The only thing it does is allow the police to move "undesirables" out of the city and out of sight of people who get their panties in a bunch at the sight of a disheveled person wearing rags and muttering to themselves.

I think the anti Prop B folks do themselves a huge disservice by assuming that everyone voting to reinstate the camping ban is a Matt Mackowiak clone, and wants the homeless to return to the shadows. There's a huge constituency for change in this city -- people from all walks of life who simultaneously think public camping is unsustainable AND that the city should triple their effort to solve the problem -- humanely and with compassion. Unfortunately, Prop B is the only Prop we have -- the only mechanism to force the city to address the camping problem. Is there a middle ground out there? some way to both make the city feel and be safer while transitioning folks into better situations? Without a doubt. But no middle path has been on offer. The City's been terrible on this -- almost completely abdicating a strong leadership role. They've taken SOME visible action but failed to put it in a greater context, as part of a larger effort to help these people.

There is a huge constituency that wants BOTH of these things. Mackowiak has done what a GOP operative knows how to do -- split that constituency along internal ideological lines so that the GOP benefits. TBH, it shouldn't be that way. There's a lot more affinity between most in the anti- and pro- Prop B camps than anyone wants to admit.

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by gabetx

I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt and believe you didn't fully read the article. It specifically states:

"In a search of his criminal history, KXAN found McPherson has a lengthy criminal background spanning Austin, Manor, Cedar Park and other parts of Williamson County, with convictions of DUIs, a number of drug charges, robbery, criminal trespassing, escaping police custody, and most notably the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl. McPherson remains on the state’s sex offender registry."

So yes, I know that he has a lengthy criminal record, which partly stems from Austin and Manor, which, in case you didn't know, is in Travis County. There are convictions out of WilCo as well. Which is why I said "It would be interesting to see where the robbery and sexual assault of a child convictions originated from." I think most people know that traditionally, WilCo tends to be tough of crime, while Travis County is known to slap wrists.

I'm not quite sure what your problem is here.

And I can't give you the benefit of the doubt because you still don't know what you're talking about.

McPherson's sex registry dates back to the year 2000.

He's not out because of a "Travis County slap on the wrist". He's not in jail for that because it was over 20 years ago.

This is literally linked in that article.
https://publicsite.dps.texas.gov/Sex...t?Sid=05814061


In fact, baring an extraordinary coincidence, he's out because of _Ector County_. As a "Nicholas James McPherson, 40" was indicted there on a felony just two months ago.
https://www.oaoa.com/local-news/crim...ents-april-19/


But you weren't interested in the actual facts, you lied and said it was "Thanks to Travis County and the TC AD" apparently because you have an axe to grind with the DA.

You used this event to (falsely) push your personal agenda. That's what my problem is.

[enragedcamel]

Originally Posted by resansom

In the meantime, perhaps we need to append "No Politics" to every topic in this forum...

People wanted to discuss homelessness on the basis that the camps have an economic impact on downtown businesses. The topic of this thread is economic development. Prop B is about making homelessness a criminal offense. Therefore, there is a natural intersection of economics and politics.

[JAM]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

I'm convinced the problem will never be solved, which is nuts because I remember a time when you never saw homeless people, at least, not on this level. Sure, we had some. Leslie Cochran, and "South Austin Jerry", but nothing like we have now. And it's clear to me that some of the people in that situation are not your typical homeless people since some have cars parked next to their tents. I see others sometimes sleeping in their cars. One family that was living in their station wagon around South Austin, and another older guy and his dog who I would always see parked near a restaurant we visit often. It really makes me sad. My first rection is not to blame anyone either.

I used to know most every face of the homeless in the downtown area. The people living in Waller Creek, not so much. Today is a totally different story.

Yesterday was driving down Cesar Chavez, and a guy in his car with 5 other people drove up on the sidewalk by Buford Tower. This is in heavy traffic, people walking down the sidewalk. Drops 5 of them off and continues back on to CC. Have no idea what was going on there, but they were homeless.

[chinchaaa]

Originally Posted by ATX2030

Isn't this thing supposed to open this spring? Anybody know of a tentative date? Curious to see how the constant flow works out.

I wonder if they’re waiting to see what happens with Prop B before opening.

[StoOgE]

Originally Posted by chinchaaa

I wonder if they’re waiting to see what happens with Prop B before opening.

How would that affect anything?

The city has been delaying park improvement openings all year and it's most likely attributable to the pandemic unless we also think the homeless were waiting in the wings to move into the new playground at butler park.

[chinchaaa]

Originally Posted by StoOgE

How would that affect anything?

a brand new multi-million dollar state of the art park in the middle of the city? yea, i think they may see a few tents pop up.

[Riverranchdrone]

Originally Posted by chinchaaa

a brand new multi-million dollar state of the art park in the middle of the city? yea, i think they may see a few tents pop up.

And like the previous poster said. How would that effect anything most importantly the park's delayed opening?

[Sigaven]

Originally Posted by Riverranchdrone

And like the previous poster said. How would that effect anything most importantly the park's delayed opening?

squatters trashing a brand new park and littering into the creek?