General Phoenix Metro Discussion Thread

[Obadno]

[QUOTE=Sun Belt;8035214]. I probably won't return and it's a shame because it's Phoenix's premier downtown park. QUOTE]

Yes it is overrun by bums but I wouldn't say I'd never return, Last time I took the NYC subway someone defecated on the stairs, I will probably one day return to the NYC subway

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by fawd

Finally!

Then they need to go to Central Ave between Van Buren and Washington.

I still haven't seen this area used for camping. I just ate lunch on Central between Adams and Monroe. I saw the usual one or two people quietly asking for spare change, but nothing like what was just broken up on Roosevelt.

Originally Posted by RonnieFoos

Just walked through the triangle. A good chunk have left and just parked themselves down the road on the sidewalk at the corner of Roosevelt and 2nd. There are still a few on the triangle. Didn't see any further police presence. Not sure when they will push out the remaining few.

The Republic is reporting that the police dispersed the crowd today. I suspect it will be like Whac-A-Mole there until the Shadow Play triangle is somehow activated. Otherwise, the homeless will continue to fill the vacuum, even if their numbers are fewer.

https://www.azcentral.com/story/news...al/1000597001/

Originally Posted by Sun Belt

I recently visited Phoenix and walked through Civic Space Park. I was the only non-homeless person and was outnumbered by 30:1 and it was not a safe environment for anybody there. I probably won't return and it's a shame because it's Phoenix's premier downtown park. I just looked up the pink floating vagina thingie and found that it cost $2.4 million in 2009. That's $2.4 million of taxpayer money for bums to enjoy!

The important distinction is that Civic Space Park is generally not being used as a campground. Instead, I think there's a lot of day use by both the homeless and some Westward Ho residents who go back home at night. It may help that Food Truck Friday, which used to occur a few blocks north at the public market, is being resurrected at Civic Space Park starting Friday, January 5. Civic Space Park felt less seedy when it hosted more concerts and events. Bringing back some of that programming may help restore the balance among different types of park users.

[ASU Diablo]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

It may help that Food Truck Friday, which used to occur a few blocks north at the public market, is being resurrected at Civic Space Park starting Friday, January 5. Civic Space Park felt less seedy when it hosted more concerts and events. Bringing back some of that programming may help restore the balance among different types of park users.

This is the first I've read of this and if so, good news! Closer to my work (although not by much)

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by airomero83

This is the first I've read of this and if so, good news! Closer to my work (although not by much)

Here's a link to the Facebook announcement by the Phoenix Street Food Coalition:

https://www.facebook.com/phxstreetfo...90241927653475

[ASU Diablo]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

Here's a link to the Facebook announcement by the Phoenix Street Food Coalition:

https://www.facebook.com/phxstreetfo...90241927653475

Cool thanks!

Just thinking back how if the Roosevelt BID was operating today (and not killed via retroactive legislation), this encampment issue could've been mitigated or at least escalated to City personnel much sooner. Just a thought...

[biggus diggus]

The issue was the city not deciding if any laws were being broken. Not sure how did the Roosevelt did would have help that decision be made quicker

[ASU Diablo]

Originally Posted by biggus diggus

The issue was the city not deciding if any laws were being broken. Not sure how did the Roosevelt did would have help that decision be made quicker

I'm sure there was a long period between the first homeless person setting up shop and by the time it reached the attention of the city that it was a problem. With the BID, I was expecting a similar approach as DPI and perhaps have some Ambassadors walking up and down Roosevelt. That "active presence" might've served as a detterence from ever becoming a full blown encampment...

[Classical in Phoenix]

City takes action on homeless encampment at Downtown Phoenix intersection https://t.co/rXB58l5enS @lindawfox10

Latest on situation. Activists upset.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by airomero83

I'm sure there was a long period between the first homeless person setting up shop and by the time it reached the attention of the city that it was a problem. With the BID, I was expecting a similar approach as DPI and perhaps have some Ambassadors walking up and down Roosevelt. That "active presence" might've served as a detterence from ever becoming a full blown encampment...

Excellent point. The ambassadors I know can direct people to appropriate services, not just answer questions from tourists. A BID would have also funded more frequent and thorough trash collection to mitigate some of the problems associated with the camp. Maybe all the occupants of the campground can be sent over to Angels Trumpet.

[PHXFlyer11]

I drove by about 445 on my way home. Homeless were back and as bad as ever with all of their garbage all over the park again. No cops in sight.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by PHXFlyer11

I drove by about 445 on my way home. Homeless were back and as bad as ever with all of their garbage all over the park again. No cops in sight.

Yes, I biked by around the same time and saw the same thing. The latest reporting from the Republic suggests this will play out over a more extended time frame:

https://www.azcentral.com/story/news...al/1000597001/

[fawd]

a woman who identified herself as Bear Woman Who Stands Tall

One of the better lines in that article.

[PHX31]

Originally Posted by fawd

One of the better lines in that article.

This was one of the worst:

"If we leave, we'll just become someone else's problem."

This guy doesn't seem mentally ill, just absolute scum. No, dickhead, you're your own problem, take some responsibility for yourself.

[biggus diggus]

I don't think that's a fair statement. Not all of the homeless are degenerates, in fact I'd say a lot of them are people who are incapable of doing any better.

My father used to always tell me when I judged someone or said something unfair "they're doing the best they can".

[fawd]

Either way. I would be PISSED if this was the view from my apartment. Seriously?!

City of Phoenix needs to get it together ASAP!!

[ASU Diablo]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

Excellent point. The ambassadors I know can direct people to appropriate services, not just answer questions from tourists. A BID would have also funded more frequent and thorough trash collection to mitigate some of the problems associated with the camp. Maybe all the occupants of the campground can be sent over to Angels Trumpet.

This would be awesome...and better yet, in the dirt lot where The Derby is supposed to go

[biggus diggus]

I'm still struggling with understanding how having a BID involved would have sped the process of the City deciding the legality of the encampment...

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by biggus diggus

I'm still struggling with understanding how having a BID involved would have sped the process of the City deciding the legality of the encampment...

Ambassadors walking their beats might have noticed the campground earlier and known the right people at the city to contact. They might have also been able to redirect some campers earlier in the process. A BID provides a more effective connection to city staff and leadership than most individual residents have -- especially if they're new to the area, like the residents interviewed in the Republic article. I'm not saying for sure that a BID would have made a difference, but it certainly would not have hurt.

[biggus diggus]

Everyone knew it was there. The delay was not in discovering it but rather with deciding if they could do anything about and what that process might be. Sounds like they are still figuring it out.

This is about bureaucratic processes, nothing more.

[nickw252]

Originally Posted by PHX31

This was one of the worst:

"If we leave, we'll just become someone else's problem."

This guy doesn't seem mentally ill, just absolute scum. No, dickhead, you're your own problem, take some responsibility for yourself.