DRY SHELTER: Some homeless not happy about it… [PHOTOS]
Wednesday evening update: HN just observed one of the homeless individuals [not in any of these photos] turned away last evening for choosing to be intoxicated, standing outside of a building where they have AA meetings. Please say a prayer for this young individual finding sobriety and eventually getting off of the streets… It takes courage to do the right thing for oneself, and the addict is the only one capable of making that decision to find sobriety and sanity. Many of these “homeless” individuals are strong enough to make the tough journey home through recovery. HN has observed addicts stay clean and even get their kids back eventually. Some even have become wealthy after years of doing the right thing and redirecting the energy and drive to find drugs toward building a successful business, etc… It is very possible once the decision is made to stay sober. But, having said that, they did not take those steps without first hitting rock bottom… Nature, and natural consequences can be an effective educator in many or these cases.
Above photos: HYANNIS — Today [Tuesday afternoon] was the first day of the NOAH homeless shelter being completely “dry,” meaning that intoxicated individuals will from now on be turned away at the door. Not all the homeless were happy about the new rule, especially ones walking away, some sharing beverages concealed in brown paper wrappers, others complaining into their smart phones… and yet others pulling down their pants and lifting their shirts for the camera.
Above photos: Barnstable Police Chief Paul MacDonald stood across the street from the homeless shelter today [Tuesday afternoon] as the new “dry” policy went into effect. Chief MacDonald took time to speak with concerned individuals and members of the media, explaining the rationale behind the new policy. (I’m not sure what this means, but the woman in the above photos had the word “Duffy” embroidered on her shirt…)
Above photos: Tuesday afternoon – Members of the Barnstable Police Street Crime Unit arrested a couple of homeless individuals on the sidewalk in front of the Sturgis Charter School. The homeless individuals allegedly were intoxicated and harassing sidewalk diners in the Main Street area just prior to their arrest.
Above photo: HYANNIS — Tuesday afternoon – A police officer had contact with homeless individuals on the sidewalk in front of the Department of Transitional Assistance which is located next to the parking lot behind McDonald’s on North Street.
Above photos: Monday afternoon – A couple of homeless individuals were apparently entering the wooded area next to the tennis courts at the Saint Pope John Paul II High School. When police arrived, they said they happened to be in that particular secluded area waiting for a ride. One of the individuals was arrested for trespassing because he had been previously told not to come back onto school property just less than one week ago… (Also, according to a homeless source, there is a man in the area supplying brand new camping gear for the homeless… HN will update once confirmed.) Neighbors of the tent city behind the Saint JP II HS are not happy with the sudden spike in the homeless taking to the public lands so near to their children, families, and properties. In one recent encounter, a resident noticed a homeless individual with a known criminal history as he appeared to be casing homes near to the homeless camps that abut Pine Ave. Residents near to these camps need to be especially vigilant and careful, locking doors and securing valuables normally kept outside (such as bikes…). Also, it is not wise to permit these individuals to enter your home if they show up asking to use the bathroom, etc… These seemingly innocent encounters are often a ploy to steal prescription medication or other readily available items.
Above photo: Monday evening – Two Barnstable Police cruisers, one called in from the north side patrol in Barnstable Village because all other Hyannis cars were tied up, were dispatched to deal with a homeless individual yelling and acting out in front of tourist families sitting on the benches outside of Wings on Main Street… After speaking with police, the individual chose to knock it off and go somewhere else. The same individual (photo below) was seen walking away from the homeless shelter today [Tuesday], presumably turned away because of the new dry shelter policy.
Above photo: And then [Tuesday evening] police spoke with this homeless man after he allegedly went into CVS and made threats about coming back and shooting someone with a “long gun…” The man is known to police and according to sources, he suffers from mental illness… The man had reportedly (and allegedly) brought an axe into downtown Hyannis in the beginning of this past July… Click here to view HN coverage of that incident…
And finally the last photo: Tuesday afternoon – A young girl out walking with her family waves to police officers standing across the street from the NOAH homeless shelter today during the new policy implementation.
HN NOTE: Having lived near downtown Hyannis for nearly half a century, it is my dream and mission to once again see HyTown live up to its potential to be the ultimate destination for young working families, legal private businesses of all sizes, tourists, and anyone else who enjoys the benefits of sound city planning, law, and order. With the right vision and leadership, there is no reason why Hyannis cannot be the cleanest, friendliest, and most prosperous little seaside city on the entire East Coast. (But a lot needs to be done in order to ever reach that point. There will be much more later on our current problematic system of government, and its inability to truly represent and meet the needs of its residents and business owners…) Recently, there has been a lot of political talk about addressing our worsening homeless troubles, and I’m sure some of the town councilors actually mean it… but we’ve been hearing the “talks” for years and years… and since I’m primarily a photojournalist, I can only document images of action and results. Political words are impossible to photograph…
But today there was finally some action… at least some in our government are taking action!
9/1/2015
Robert Bastille,
P.S. – Today’s HyTown Vignette is brought to you Bobby Dylan… [Join HN in cranking this, as we bid farewell to the last “wet” homeless shelter in the region! SEE YAH!!!]
Have a splendiferous and safe Thursday!
