When we see a homeless person “flying a flag” (panhandling with a cardboard sign), we react with sadness and empathy, followed by a gift of money.  It may make us feel better.  But are we making things worse?

We live in a society with plenty of opportunity. Employers are desperate for workers.  So why are there 500,000 homeless in our nation?

First, we must know “the homeless.”  Who are they?

The Down and Out

A major life event such as illness, divorce, domestic violence or loss of a job can cause a temporary inability to be self-sufficient. This is the smallest group and comprises those with the best hope of being helped. Sometimes we lump all homeless in this category, which worsens the problem by misusing resources and failing to distinguish the truly violent and dangerous transients.

Life Style Homeless

These people choose to be homeless.  “Travelers,” they often call themselves. Some live in cars, RV’s or old school busses. Many carry packs and tents. You see them parked at night on Port Townsend’s streets.   They consider themselves tourists or Bohemians.  They do nothing to support our community but use expensive and vital resources.  Their drain on public resources shortchanges those who are not on the streets by choice.

The Mentally Ill

 This group can be dangerous to themselves and to others. Often addicted to drugs and/or alcohol and often with criminal records and open arrest warrants, they are the most visible. A culture that elevates the rights of the individual above the needs of society, good or bad, has let them run wild on our streets. They are frequently transported to hospitals at great expense to taxpayers, only to be set back on the streets without treatment. Laws have been passed to deal with this problem, but laws with no means of enforcement are useless. Politicians in Olympia and Washington can say ‘we did something’, but that is not ground truth.

“Ricky’s Law” is a great example. The state claims that first responders can involuntarily commit a person for debilitating substance abuse. But this law provides little to no legal support for our first responders and no beds or treatment centers.

Addicts and Alcoholics

This group could be considered part of the Mental Health group. Addiction is often a response to an inability to cope with life. These people are self-medicating.  Our society has turned them into victims, with no accountability. We tell them and ourselves that it is not their fault.

This group is dangerous and commits the highest amount of property and violent crime.  Washington State has no law against public intoxication and, worse yet, no drug possession laws based on consumption. Possessing a syringe full of heroin is a crime until it is injected, when it becomes a medical issue. The hypocrisy of a legislator claiming that unused drugs are a criminal matter, but using those drugs is not is mind-bending. Look at the mess in Seattle where police no longer arrest low-level heroin dealers.  They must view them as addicts supporting an addiction. But how many people are introduced to heroin by these “non-criminal addiction supporters”?

Criminals

We can identify a fifth group, the criminal element.  They are found in the Life Style, Mental Illness and Addicts and Alcoholics groups. The chicken-or-the-egg question arises:  are they criminal due to homelessness, or is their criminality the driving factor? The question is immaterial.  No circumstance should excuse behavior that hurts other people or their property . Society has a primary duty of protecting its citizens from those who would do them harm. And once we excuse criminal behavior we have abandoned accountability.

We can “know” the homeless.  What next?

Not much can be done until we start funding mental health beds and using and enhancing our involuntary commitment laws.  Until then, we will continue to see growth in all groups listed above, except the small number of “down and out” who can be helped by other means.

If we believe in the individual rights and worth of the homeless, we must let them suffer the fate they choose when they break the law. A society that respects them holds them accountable for their actions.  That means real consequences.

What can I do?

 Start with this little thing:  Don’t give money to panhandlers.  Give to the local shelter or food bank.  The resources available to the homeless are abundant, but often come with conditions requiring behavior they don’t like but which is beneficial to the them and the community. Giving money that can be spent on booze or drugs hurts everyone.  (Giving goods or vouchers only means your gift may be sold cheaply to raise cash for drugs or booze).

Respect the homeless by expecting them to be law-abiding citizens. Respect them by believing they can do better. Give help that lifts them up, not help that holds them down. Stop giving to make yourself feel better when you are most likely making the problem worse.