A Fresh Wind: Treating Homeless People with Honor
I just came back from a meeting with the City of Cleveland over the problems at the Convention Center. The Third District Police have for the past three years had a better approach toward homeless people with the appointment of two officers to be the liaison to the homeless community, but it was refreshing to see that the City Administration seems to have a new attitude as well. It is rare that the Police are out front of the City, but so be it.
Anyway, the City is giving the residents of the Convention Center another week to move. So they will have given two weeks. They have given specific instructions to the social service providers to do everything they can to find appropriate places for the population. And they have made it clear that law enforcement is the last resort. Senior City officials were present and wanted to figure out what to do for these 17-25 people. All we ever want is to have all homeless people and non-homeless people be treated with respect, and given warning before things are rammed through that have a negative impact on the community.
My only concern was the signs might discourage pedestrians from using this public park. But that is a City of Cleveland problem and not a homeless issue.
Posts by Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless staff and Board.
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