Buffalo Rising Online

Amazing that Tourettes Guy and Shoeshine Guy have universal names - we all call them that! Both these individuals are constantly in the WV and are being watched since they "self-medicate." The Chip Hotel has been sold and I hear that it should be closing down soon. The WVRG will make contact with the organizations avaialble to assist in the current tenants' moving to more suitable housing - and that includes clinical analysis to determine the proper housing.

We have the same issue with the new rooming house legislation. Seems there's a glitch in the "system" at City Hall as far as the notification of current licensees. But, believe me, we are on their butts about it.

I know it's tiring and trying, but if there are a few out there that don't mind fighting the good fight and keeping government accountable, we can get these enforcement issues addressed, and we will. No pretty dreaming here - let's just do it. And we can by organizing and we will...........

As far as Shoeshine and Tourette's, tell them you'll sic the B*tch from Johnson Park on 'em.

One more thing - don;t give anyone ANY money - not even if they seem placid. If they're hungry - buy them a sandwich. If they need transpportation, tell them to go to the Traveler's Aid at the Transpo Center on Division.

my only question is have you ever tried to stop and talk to any of these people on the street? have you ever once tried to learn about them as individual human beings or do you all just walk by and tell them the standard response of "get a job" when they ask for money? i have lived downtown for 6 years now and know the fellas that panhandle pretty well. most of them don't ask me for money anymore because they recongnize me as someone who is often in the neighborhood. not that this will help you in any way, since you have basically written these individuals off as common "bums". many of the people who are asking for money on the streets are not able to get steady work. some are veterans with injuries that prevent them from working & some are have mental issues that they cannot afford to take care of for lack of funds/insurance.

when i was going to buff state (in the 90's) there was a lady that used to sleep in the basement of rockwell hall. we would come in in the morning to start classes and she would be fast asleep on the couch. i asked her about her situation and found out that they had released her from the psych centre and she had nowhere to go. too often, this may be the case with the homeless.

i understand that you may be weary of having people ask you for money on the street, but if you are going to complain about it i hope you are at least trying to do something charitable to help the situation. if you don't give them money directly, at least give to an organization that helps people get off the street. volunteer your time at a soup kitchen. do something to give back. don't just sit on your ass and type about how annoyed you are by "those people" - get out there and help them!!!

hippiegirl, first off, there are many deserving persons out there - I miss the "drummer" he was a Viet Nam vet that, before his injuries, was a local hs art teacher. The professor is gone, too. But, to provide cash when that cash is utilized by shoeshine and tourettes guy for crack is doing them more harm than good. Please note my speech at this link http://wvrg-buffalo.blogspot.com given at the Buffalo Urban Center's Sleep Out that was very poorly attended since Buffalo Old Home Week was being "celebrated" on the same night.

One of the most horrific issues in this city and others around the US is the rooming houses that have no supprtive services for their tenants that are referred by social service agencies. Read the post regarding the rooming house legislation and you'll see the first step in assuring tenants rights to these individuals who have been brutalized by the system.

No, hippiegirl, most folks are not against those who need assistance. But, thse who utilize the street system to obtain a quick high have to be stopped so they reach out for the services that you have mentioned. As far as soup kitchens, did you read that Darrell from Friends of the Night People was just undergoing trial for his absconding with over $44K of donations? If you want to get involved, ask the tough questions. Ask where every dollar goes and ask to see the books. Then make the decision as to where you wish to donate your time and money to assure the folks that need the help are truly getting it.

Get COPS ON FOOT (MAIN STREET PEDESTRIAN MALL for starters) and KICK THESE BUMS OUT!!! If Detroit is having cops on foot and bike in their Downtown now, WHY CAN'T good ol' Buffalo? I'm so sick of hearing "their just people" CRAP. If I can WORK my a&& off to support myself, THEY CAN TOO! It's not our fault they became lazy or fell into drugs, and if they are injured, they're are ways to collect money for that. It's not up to us. Do what Rudy did to clean up NYC .....GET COPS OUT THERE!!!!! Throw the bums out!

Kelly, once the enforcement occurs, and believe me, there are cops out there chomping at the bit to enforce it, certain panhandlers will be identified as those who need to appear at Judge Russell's Drug Court. Russell can then sentance for rehabilitation after clinical review, otherwise known as a forensic. We had one guy who we demanded a forensic on. Fortunately, his brother also joined forces with us and the man is now in rehab in Dunkirk without day passes. It was found that his schizophrenia was exacerbated by his crack habit. Now, his brother, who we still remain in contact with, states he is doing well and back on the meds he neglected to take and is off the crack.

RDRNR, I believe that after a pass by the Common Council, the law goes into effect after so many days with or without the mayor's signature. And, as posted, this may have happened or the mayor might have signed it since the article says that the charter has been amended to reflect the law in Chapter 317. The actual amendment online at the city's website should be made soon. As it was explained to me, this change is done by an outside firm and it takes a few weeks for the online revision to be made. Therefore, this article was probably published due to the actual amendment of the charter, and not as a report on the Common Council resolution back in April.

I can't stand those freakin Bible Beaters either, Mr. Chips. When ever the weather is nice, they all just take over Main Street like a cult. Passing out cards, trying to stop people and tell them about God or hold a Bible and scream bs at everyone walking by. Is this really Buffalo or Birmingham? I feel like we are in some back woods southern town some days.

Also the mayor wants the control board to leave. Does this mean we have money to HIRE MORE COPS? So we can FINALLY get some security ON FOOT?

So back to the story....GET COPS ON FOOT TO CONTROL THIS SITUATION or else this whole thing is pointless.

The Buffalo PD can't even show up to push rowdy kids away on Main Street, or attend a caller who's car window was broken or an item stolen (all in broad day light). Face it, the Buffalo PD is a JOKE. And they want a raise..do your freakin jobs and then we'll discuss a raise. I do not see this new law working in this town. The cops here are too lazy and have better things to do like: sleep in thier cars, eat donuts, harrass the innocent, run red lights, and so on. Unless someone is shot, don't expect to see a cop show up. "Fend for yourself" as mentioned in another posting by someone at City Hall.

Well said Jet2Vegas. This city has no clue how to do ANYTHING!

hodgepodge, I don;t work for the city, I am not a consultant for the city, just a former consultant that worked un der Judge Nowak as explained before. I just believe in the city and volunteer my time for neighborhoods. The police I have had the oppoetunity to work on neighborhood issues have alwys expressed their disgust in attempting to enforce lame laws and ordinances to have them thrown out of court - panhandlers who are aggressive is one of the issues they complained about. This ordinance allows them to do what they've tried to do in the past. Now they have the tool necessary.

hodgepodge, don;t have an answer to that one. Never had an incident like that. Always filed reports as long as there were violations of the penal code. Unfortunately, to swear out a warrant card is a tedious process, but worth it. I would definitly press the cops to provide the report number for any call I made if I were you. They'll write it down for you and you can request a copy either from the district office or BPDHQ.

Here's a suggestion - call your district office and ask to speak to the chief. Arrange a meeting to discuss what you feel is lacking as far as connecting with the local cops in your area. It's certainly worth a phone call and a 30-45 minute meeting to make things better, right?

It's not just a Toronto thing, Metalpeter. When I lived in NYC, the panhandlers would rap, sing, play instruments, dance, do majic tricks or sell items for money. It was never a problem, some people get annoyed (the locals, of course), BUT at least they are doing SOMETHING besides saying "yo, you have any change?". I used to see a guy in a wheel chair do tricks outside the Main Place Mall and one guy play the Sax, did they get charged for somthing? or did we not understand what they were doing?

In response to Hodgepodge about the murders. That does suck and is a reality, but we also have to start at the "Quality of Life" Issues in this town. One must look at how Rudy and the gang changed NYC from "Most Dangerous City in the Country" to the "MOST Safest Big City"...They started with getting Cops ON PATROL (Foot, bike, in the subways, public places, etc.) Going after PANHANDLERS, litter bugs, graffiti artists, and so on. The reason? To start at the core of the problem. Don't wait till something big happens such as a murder to step in. Start at the root of the problems to send a message, "We are out there and we are watching, you better behave". Yes, it does seems our local BPD and the City of Buffalo is very behind the times and is unaware of the reality to how to handle our problems, But maby someday they will do a "STUDY" on how NYC changed for the better and follow in thier foot steps. I put "STUDY" with my fingers up as this city is so famous for "STUDIES" yet hasn't passed anything EVER. Maby we need tutors.

I've directed a few bums to the Homeless Shelter on Tupper St. and did not like the response I got back. It seems most of these people really don't want the help They just want our money. They dont want to work like we do, they just consider hanging out on the streets asking for change to be all they know as far as work. With so many of them in this city, it sure does proove we live in a very Poor City. Where are the JOBS? That would be a great start to get people working again in this area. We wonder why the big stores are not downtown, Because the majority of people who live in this city CAN'T AFFORD them. It's a proven fact. Create Jobs, Get Cops on FOOT, stop doing "Studies" and JUST DO SOMETHING HERE!

To all, there is a city based Qualty of Life Task Force that has been meeting regularly and is using data and common sense principles to come up with a plan. Part of the Panhandling Legislation will work if people will call 911 when either witnessing or approached by aggressive panhandlers. This mornig while I was at SPoT Delaware, Tourette Guy was out there - within feet of an ATM and also approaching people at their cars. I called 911 and within seven minutes two cop cars came through and searched for him. Unfortunately, someone had provided some cash and the next time I saw him was when he was coming out of a property that was a center for crack sales. Unfortunately, for him, the "business" had been shut down over the past couple of weeks and he could not acquire what he went there for. Like I said before, if these guys and gals get arrested they'll appear before drug court and get sent to a rehab facility. That's the best course of action since it starts the process of remediation for them. I was the only one to call the police today, they came almost immediately. Now, use the ordinance. On the phone to 911 I explained he was aggressive, going up to cars, close to an ATM, etc. But, he got some cash and disappeared. He could have been in front of Judge Russell on Monday. Call and give the new ordinance a chance, not to work only for those approached but for those doing the panhandling.

Aloha, I believe it because I live it and I get results. N'est Pa?

NYC00....oops, sorry, Aloha, I no longer work in Housng Court - I volunteer my time as a liaison, as I do on the Quality of Life Task Force, Citizen's Planning Council, Save Our Streets Task Force, Hispanics Alliance, and quite a few other groups.

My neighborhood work provided a platform with which to reach out to Hispanics United for a partnership that is now reaping great rewards within our neoghborhood. Yes, I do work there, for a small recompense that clearly cannot pay my bills, but everybody has to work, eh? Not all of us are civil servants.

The neighborhood work I do transcends the West Village and goes throughout the city. Do I get a kick back there? I get to know folks on the East Side, North District, South Buffalo, Seneca Babcock area, Loveoy and we all learn better practices together. I guess you could say I do as much as any activity performed by the myriad of advocates throughout this city, working together, creates a better environment overall so the issues do not just move a few blocks away.

All in all, my work hours including my volunteer hours greatly surpass 80 hours per week. You do the math, I really don't have the time to quibble about it. Thank you for your concern.

Oh-oh, Queen Aloha has been defrocked. Hey, those are my tax dollars your wasting writing on this blog while you should be working, dude.