"I have broader dreams about creating a fund, or some type of program that funds travel aid throughout the county.”

I've spent considerable sums getting folks who have a place to go and/or a job prospect waiting for them elsewhere on a bus to another city.  Working in conjunction with Helen Pace over at Traveler's Aid, together we've sent quite a few folks off to what we hope are better futures elsewhere.  

I doubt anyone could consider our efforts "busing our problems elsewhere," and I'm cautiously optimistic that Metro PD and the DTP's approach in determining whether or not to send folks on their way is appropriate.  

Frankly, I hope the approach will be similar to the one used by Helen and I when we consider paying for someone's ride out of Nashville.  

We only send people who can verify that they have someone at their destination that will provide a place for them to stay.  If employment offers are involved, we contact the employer to verify.  

Only then do we cut a check to Greyhound for the purchase of a ticket.  

This way we ensure that we have done all that we can to eliminate sending our "problems" elsewhere....

New police program gives homeless ‘free ride’ to finding help

By Nate Rau, nrau@nashvillecitypaper.com Posted: Wednesday, July 9, 2008 12:44 am

Lamont Collins (right) Trevor Law (center) and “Bling” walk down an alley toward the Rescue Mission. A new Metro Police program is helping homeless people get bus fares out of the city. Matthew Williams/The City Paper 

Lamont Collins (right) Trevor Law (center) and “Bling” walk down an alley toward the Rescue Mission. A new Metro Police program is helping homeless people get bus fares out of the city. Matthew Williams/The City Paper
The new Metro Police central precinct commander has initiated a program where homeless people, and others stranded in Nashville, are referred to the private sector, which then buys them bus tickets out of town.

Cmdr. Damian Huggins, who was promoted to his new position about a month ago, said the purpose of the program is to help individuals who are down on their luck and don’t have other options.

Huggins was adamant that the program was not akin to busing movements in other cities like New York City or Atlanta, where homeless individuals were shipped out of town en masse.

He said the purpose of the program is not to rid Nashville of the chronically homeless, but simply to provide help.

“I just wanted to help these people, because they are in my district just like anybody else who lives here,” said Huggins. “I thought, ‘Well this is kind of a win-win situation if I can help someone and then there’s one less person who might be urinating on the street or causing a problem.’ ”

So far Huggins’ traveler’s assistance program has referred just two homeless individuals to the Nashville Downtown Partnership, but he’s hoping his idea catches fire. Huggins described one of his first days on the job when he visited Riverfront Park and encountered 12 homeless people early one morning.

Huggins engaged the group in a conversation and was told by nine of them that a way out of Nashville — be it for employment in another city or to be with family — was their biggest need.

Other traveler’s aid programs exist, but Huggins said they require paperwork and a waiting period that scares off many homeless individuals.

Huggins then contacted the Nashville Downtown Partnership, a group which describes itself as a “nonprofit membership organization dedicated to managing and developing downtown Nashville as a clean, friendly, and vibrant urban area.”

The group advocated for stricter panhandling laws earlier this year and has also initiated a public relations campaign encouraging Nashvillians to stop giving money to homeless individuals begging for cash.

Downtown Partnership President and CEO Tom Turner said the group supports Huggins’ efforts and is interested in continuing to contribute in the future.

Turner said the group buys the individual a bus ticket and even packs them a lunch to take for the ride.

“It’s positive for the individuals that get a chance to go home and it’s positive for individuals that are looking for work,” Turner said.

Huggins said he was hoping to get the word out to garner more support from the private sector and possibly to expand the program throughout Nashville.

He emphasized that no individuals with outstanding warrants are referred to private supporters like the Downtown Partnership.

“I drew up those guidelines and was thinking of seeing if this develops into something I can promote county-wide,” Huggins said. “I have broader dreams about creating a fund, or some type of program that funds travel aid throughout the county.”

The homeless advocacy group, the Nashville Homeless Power Project, said it was aware of the program and cautiously supportive of Huggins’ efforts. Homeless Power Project Program Director Jeannie Alexander said the program seemed well meaning, but the group would be monitoring it.

Homeless advocacy groups had combative relationships with the Downtown Partnership’s efforts to cut down on panhandling earlier this year.

“While this appears to be helpful and a good thing, once those doors start opening, we’ll be watching to see if this is used incorrectly,” Alexander said.