Safe Detroit

The street corners of Detroit have long been the preferred marketing spot for the con artists and low-lives. Sound harsh? I hate to take this hardened view of our streets but until we face the truth and deal with it head on nothing will change.

Detroit’s street corners and intersections are besieged with panhandlers, prostitutes and dozens of cheesy corner signs selling everything from mattresses to dog training. Visitors and tourists get this unforgettable first impression of ‘filth’ when they exit the freeways and hit the first stop light. As they try to re-gain control of their car as it is pummeled with potholes and poor attempts of patching turned speed bumps, they are treated to the sight of our increasing population of professional panhandlers. School children walking home from school or the bus stop see this so often it’s simply a way of life.

Just An Opinion…

Here’s my opinion for whatever it’s worth. Detroit definitely has a huge homeless problem and it needs to be addressed immediately. One of the obstacles that get in the way of finding effective solutions is simple public opinion. Far too many people have the ‘Go get a job’ attitude while others believe bumming is gainful employment. Other’s try to defend the actions of the panhandlers by turning it into a racist injustice issue on desperate African Americans.

The Homeless…

You want to see the truly homeless living with desperation and frustration every single day? Look up under many of our freeway’s overpasses and you’ll see true desperation. The next time you’re jumping onto the Lodge from downtown’s I-75 look up to the right as you round the second hard curve on the ramp. Or take a ride down any of the side roads south of Jefferson just east of down town. If you really feel brave, peak into some of the abandoned warehouses (at your own risk please) on the east side off the Boulevard at Bellevue & Concord. Here you will find the mentally ill, attics and those truly in need of immediate help.

The Scams…

Want to see homeless scams perpetrated right here in Detroit? Look no further than our street corners. This is what people actually see. Most people don’t see the truly homeless, they see con artists, drunks, crack addicts, bums and punks who aren’t willing to work. Want to get the good people of Detroit involved in helping the hungry and homeless? Get the obvious frauds off our streets because that’s what’s forming public opinion. Not only local opinion but the entire world’s view on Detroit!

The Low Lives…

Most panhandlers are low lives that make a living standing on the same street corners each and every day with their hands out. They play on the pity and conscience of motorists and pedestrians to support their habits and living expenses. We’ve all heard the claims that panhandling scams bring in $300 a day up to $200 an hour. I have no idea how accurate those figures are but I do know these professional panhandlers asking for your pocket change are hurting the truly helpless.

The Stories…

Everyone in Detroit has numerous stories when it comes to encounters with beggars. Just yesterday I was in line at a Long John Silver’s restaurant on Gratiot Ave. when a beggar was inside of the lobby trying to sell a meal that someone bought him for cash. On my way into that same restaurant yesterday I was followed as I crossed the street by a different panhandler. These are just two examples from just yesterday, the same day I shot the picture you see above. We all have hundreds of encounters and the problem is a serious one.

Aggressive Panhandlers

Have you ever been accosted by an aggressive drunk panhandler? I have and it’s very unnerving to say the least. Just like pushy sales people, professional beggars have different methods of collecting your hard earned cash. Most play on your honest sympathy and others on your guilt. The scary ones know that intimidation and aggressive behavior will open wallets very quickly.

Any Solutions?

I’m certainly not an expert with all the answers. I see a huge problem being ignored and it’s very frustrating. I wish I had the answers but I simply don’t. I do think, however, that together Detroit can solve these type of problems by coming together and looking for answers. I do know we first need to see the problem and stop making up excuses. Others need to stop using these problems as tools to deepen the wedge into racial separation by turning everything into a raciest ploy by the powerful against the black population. Once we can see the real problem we should be able to conceive of and implement a real solution.

Just An Idea

A while back I noticed a hand written sign warning motorists of a panhandling scam ahead. I think it would be a great idea for the city to post permanent signs in known areas much the way they did with prostitute decoy areas. If people are pre-warned perhaps the scams will leave our city from lack of profits. Just an idea.