75 James Street South | 108 m | 34 fl | Under Construction

[ScreamingViking]

Hopefully this won't become another thread given a "time out" by the mods.

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by TheHonestMaple

I believe the city tried to implement a no loitering/spitting and other 'nuisance behaviour' by-law back in 2014, but it failed. They should try again, because quite honestly the situation in the area you're describing is completely out of hand. I don't bring my family down there anymore at all because I fear for their safety.

I think gore park just needs security stationed to observe people and escort them along. I mean the police station is JUST a block or two away..

and Screaming Viking, I doubt it, we are talking about important things.

we seriously need mental hospitals to return for those who are clearly too far gone though, for their own safety, and everyone elses..

[TheHonestMaple]

I'm just hopeful the massive surge in residents that this building will bring will make the area more inviting

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by TheHonestMaple

I'm just hopeful the massive surge in residents that this building will bring will make the area more inviting

If there's no security now what do you think having more residents will do? Then we'll have a bunch more people milling around potentially causing more altercations with these people.. we need to do something about these people FIRST - not just cram more people in and think that is somehow going to solve everything - more people also = the possibility of more BAD people downtown - not everyone who lives in these places are GOOD people.

And poverty doesn't always = bad people and rich always = good people.

[Crapht]

Originally Posted by Chronamut

If there's no security now what do you think having more residents will do? Then we'll have a bunch more people milling around potentially causing more altercations with these people.. we need to do something about these people FIRST - not just cram more people in and think that is somehow going to solve everything - more people also = the possibility of more BAD people downtown - not everyone who lives in these places are GOOD people.

And poverty doesn't always = bad people and rich always = good people.

I think it’s more of an “eyes on the street” reference.

[TheHonestMaple]

Yeah, I also just find Gore Park can be a bit of a ghost town after a certain time. I'm hopeful that with 3000 residents in the immediate area, there will just be more people around to make you feel safe. Walking through Gore Park at like 10PM can be a bit sketchy, since there's usually no one around to help if something happens.

[urban_planner]

its not even eyes on the street. the "odd balls" blend in more when you have more "Normal" people around. Don't even try to tell me you won't find said odd balls in Downtown Toronto. They just are hidden by the large amounts of "Normal" people.

Having said all that I don't know why do many people still think this is a Hamilton issue only.

[atnor]

The park on Barton & Wentworth is pretty bad. That along with a large portion of public green space in wards 2 and 3 hosting encampments is not something I’ve seen in neighbouring cities. Also the majority of posters live and have families that live in this city so obviously we care more about what’s going on in Hamilton.

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by atnor

encampments is not something I’ve seen in neighbouring cities.

Most cities have them. Brantford, St. Catharines, Kitchener-Waterloo, London... I haven't recalled reading about them in Burlington, or Oakville, or Grimsby, but I'd wager they're just smaller camps and better hidden.

Hamilton is no different from most places, except perhaps in terms of scale of the issue. And being a larger city than many others, that's not surprising either.

[atnor]

Originally Posted by ScreamingViking

Most cities have them. Brantford, St. Catharines, Kitchener-Waterloo, London... I haven't recalled reading about them in Burlington, or Oakville, or Grimsby, but I'd wager they're just smaller camps and better hidden.

Hamilton is no different from most places, except perhaps in terms of scale of the issue. And being a larger city than many others, that's not surprising either.

You do not see the numbers of encampments in other cities like in Hamilton.

From Wentworth to Bay, I’d say over half of the public green space has an encampment. That’s Hamilton and symbolic of our do nothing cupcake councillors.

[Berklon]

Originally Posted by atnor

You do not see the numbers of encampments in other cities like in Hamilton.

From Wentworth to Bay, I’d say over half of the public green space has an encampment. That’s Hamilton and symbolic of our do nothing cupcake councillors.

I dunno... seems to be large amount of encampments in Toronto, each with a decent amount of people:

Homeless encampments are growing again in Toronto, as the city faces a surging crisis

[atnor]

Yes Toronto is a shit hole. I think I’m going to settle in Oakville away from these headaches.

[TheHonestMaple]

I've definitely thought about selling my place and moving to Burlington because of this issue. And council is already talking about another 10% tax increase for next year. So we'll be paying even more, getting even less services and still having to deal with this BS crime/drug/homeless issue. Nice city.

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by atnor

You do not see the numbers of encampments in other cities like in Hamilton.

From Wentworth to Bay, I’d say over half of the public green space has an encampment. That’s Hamilton and symbolic of our do nothing cupcake councillors.

London is pretty bad. And yes, I've seen it.

I don't know if anyone has done a Census of the tent camps, but cities are ill-equipped to deal with the problem themselves.

[LikeHamilton]

I just got back from the east coast, and it is the same there. From Gander to St. John's to Halifax, they all have homeless with people living in tents, tent villages, housing shortages, sky rocketing rent and housing prices (relative to their economy). They don’t know what to do either!

[Hawrylyshyn]

Originally Posted by LikeHamilton

I just got back from the east coast, and it is the same there. From Gander to St. John's to Halifax, they all have homeless with people living in tents, tent villages, housing shortages, sky rocketing rent and housing prices (relative to their economy). They don’t know what to do either!

It's easy! Just stop being poor. s/

[TheHonestMaple]

I'm so honestly confused why people think the encampment issue is related to poverty, when it is so obviously due to drug abuse and addiction and mental health issues like schizophrenia. The 'housing first' approach will never work with these people, nor will giving them jobs. They are addicted to drugs, and need drug rehabilitation first. Forced or voluntary.

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by LikeHamilton

I just got back from the east coast, and it is the same there. From Gander to St. John's to Halifax, they all have homeless with people living in tents, tent villages, housing shortages, sky rocketing rent and housing prices (relative to their economy). They don’t know what to do either!

Lower the rent to reflect the average cost of living - if minimum wage is the minimum you need to live then rents should reflect that - most peoples issues are if they can pay the rent. Stop letting the rent go up and up and up..

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by TheHonestMaple

I'm so honestly confused why people think the encampment issue is related to poverty, when it is so obviously due to drug abuse and addiction and mental health issues like schizophrenia. The 'housing first' approach will never work with these people, nor will giving them jobs. They are addicted to drugs, and need drug rehabilitation first. Forced or voluntary.

Its probably a more complex issue - my mom noted that its most likely a lot of young people not wanting to work too as it tends to be young couples who are trying it out who all mysteriously find places to stay in the wintertime. When you see people in them begging but theyre on their phones and also smoking, it makes you feel that these aren't poor people, but just entitled people who don't want to work. Camping out is FUN in the summer, like woodstock! Not so much in the winter, when it's back to reality..

not to say this is the only reason, but I have a good feeling it certainly is ONE of the reasons.

[WhipperSnapper]

It's a far more diverse and complex group than people with drug addiction or mental illness. It is related to poverty/debt including those with drug addiction and mental health issues as a wealthy person with either a drug addiction or mental health issues is only going to land on the street as a personal choice and that's a choice that few will stick to.