Granted, there are some homeless individuals out there who are involved in criminal activities, but I think the perception of their involvement in violent crime is overblown, when it comes to the main population. Homeless on homeless crime is and has been a problem for a long time, as is crime perpetrated against the homeless - and Central Precinct Sgt. David Rueff backs this up in the story below.
Unfortunately, we tend to hear only about heinous crimes committed by those who are homeless and usually a point is made to ensure viewers/readers are made to realize that the perpetrator is homeless. It's rare indeed to hear about how those homeless who actually assist the police and local citizens when crimes occur, and there's a lot of these folks out there, too. This drastically increases the perception that the homeless are more likely to commit violent crimes, even when the numbers don't back up the suspicion.
By the way, another statement by Sgt. Rueff here deserves a mannerly rebuttal:
“There are a lot more [homeless] down here because it’s good business,” said Rueff, adding that since there are so many organizations providing food for the homeless and so many places to panhandle, it encourages the homeless to be downtown.
With all due respect to the good Sgt, the reason the homeless are "down here" is not because it's "good business," it's the only business. We have created this situation ourselves because we've essentially forced folks to go where the resources are. If you place all the resources downtown, you really can't complain that those who need the resources are all downtown. Now to be sure, there is a vicious circle that is created by this and Nashville is witnessing it; the services are only available downtown, those who need them come downtown, people who are ignorant of the need for those services by those who are homeless see an "increase" in homeless folks in the downtown area and are unaware that they are utilizing the services so they complain that more homeless people than ever are downtown. No poop, Sherlock - that's because this is where they are able to find the very few resources available to assist them. Incidentally, this also helps put a fairly large pin in the balloon of an argument that the homeless are continually refusing services that are offered to them. We've scattered services all over town, we've priced the homeless out of purchasing bus passes to get to these services and forced them to trudge back and forth through the heart of downtown, we've banned them from every place that has a toilet except the public library - which is situated in the heart of downtown, we starve them out of the parks and out of the way overpasses, then we complain that the homeless are all downtown. Is there a disconnect between policy and intended results here? I don't think so; it's more a disconnect between cause and effect, between perception and reality.
Surge In Street Robberies In Downtown Nashville
Posted: May 22, 2008 08:20 PM
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Within the last year, there has been a 53 percent increase in street robberies in downtown Nashville.
The downtown neighborhood association president was mugged in early May at his downtown apartment.
Someone mugged Ben Bahil as he walked out of his downtown apartment.
He is disturbed by what he sees as a recent surge in downtown crime. Recent crimes include a rape at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, the murder and drowning of homeless woman Tara Cole and a late-night Second Avenue shooting.
"Quality of life issues divert the attention of police which much rather spend time on violent crimes," Bahil said.
He wants to see extra police patrols and focus on violent crime.
Metro police said they have increased patrols. Overall crime in downtown Nashville has dropped nearly 2 percent within the last year.
"That's really a rare thing,' said Central Precinct Sgt. David Rueff. "What we're finding are street people on street people."
He said Bahil's case is an unusual one (Ed Note: there is something odd about Mr. Bahil's story regarding this mugging. Can't put my finger on it, I have no reason or proof to disbelieve Mr. Bahil and although I’ve never met the man, I’m sure he’s a fine, upstanding individual, but I dunno, my "spidey sense" is tingling, my gut is uncomfortable, my intuition is waving a red flag, and my understanding of human nature is alerting me that something may be out of kilter here. This is all heightened and exacerbated by two things, 1. The fact that Sgt. Rueff stated that "Bahil's case is an unusual one...That's really a rare thing," and 2. Mr. Bahil's hardline approach to "revitalizing" downtown: "“We’re not here to solve the problem of homelessness...We’re here to represent our neighborhood and make it a better place to live....I am unapologetic for trying to revitalize downtown
Bahil said something needs to be done to make downtown residents and merchants feel safer. "Downtown is our bread and butter. Everyone needs to feel safe visiting downtown or living in downtown," said Bahil, president of the Urban Residents Association.
Rueff said police are not sure for reason for the extra spike in crime. But he thinks a contributing factor could be an increase in the city's homeless population.
The precinct now has extra patrols and plain clothes officers walking the streets.
There are also downtown cameras police said help deter and solve crimes.
Rueff said if anyone visits or lives downtown they should not walk alone. They should always walk in well-lit areas.
Downtown residents concerned about increased crime By Christine Buttorff, news correspondent Updated: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 12:43 am A routine Urban Residents Association meeting turned into a call for answers as residents expressed concern Monday about what they say is an increase in crime in their neighborhood. “Recently we’ve seen a change, and maybe it’s because of the seasons changing, but the tendency has been toward more violent crimes and robberies,” said URA president Ben Bahil. He and his wife were mugged May 4 while walking home from the Second Avenue area. While overall crime in Nashville dropped for the fourth year in a row last year, statistics show robberies increased 3.3 percent. And in the Central Precinct, which encompasses most of the area within the Interstate 40 loop, street robbery has jumped 45.8 percent from last year. Aggravated assaults and burglaries are both down year-to-date. Central Precinct Lt. Andrea Swisher said the department is not completely sure what is causing the spike, however she did say many robberies in the last few weeks have been attributed to two or three individuals acting during times when there have not been witnesses. Swisher and Community Affairs Coordinator David Rueff explained to the URA last night that much of the crime is committed by homeless individuals on other homeless individuals. “There are a lot more [homeless] down here because it’s good business,” said Rueff, adding that since there are so many organizations providing food for the homeless and so many places to panhandle, it encourages the homeless to be downtown. “We’re used to being asked for money, the public intoxication issues, but not being physically threatened,” Bahil said. One solution neighborhood residents may try to get behind is the sale of single-serve beers. Council member Erica Gilmore, who attended last night’s meeting, tried this year unsuccessfully to pass the legislation in an effort to curb public drunkenness downtown. Former Councilman Leo Waters’ legislation suffered the same fate in 2003. Many residents also expressed frustration over 911-call wait times, including Bahil, who said he waited four-and-a-half minutes when he called the Emergency Communications Center for assistance after the robbery. ECC officials told residents that the department’s new call center software does not allow them to process calls according to the level of emergency involved. It forces employees to answer calls in the order they were received.
