The homeless are now camping out in O’Hare airport

A possible solution.........May I see your flight ticket, please ? No ticket ? You are being charged with trespass, in a federal facility. Come with me to the security office where we will take your photograph, and finger prints. If you return to this airport , you will be arrested and sent for trial. JimB.
 
I do feel for them in the brutal cold weather. Remember years ago when we lived in Cleveland, the stores used to have space heaters plugged in for the homeless sitting out front of them in the downtown area.
 

jimintoronto said:
A possible solution.........May I see your flight ticket, please ? No ticket ? You are being charged with trespass, in a federal facility. Come with me to the security office where we will take your photograph, and finger prints. If you return to this airport , you will be arrested and sent for trial. JimB.
Click to expand...
Yes, common sense, something those in charge seem not to have.
 
jimintoronto said:
A possible solution.........May I see your flight ticket, please ? No ticket ? You are being charged with trespass, in a federal facility. Come with me to the security office where we will take your photograph, and finger prints. If you return to this airport , you will be arrested and sent for trial. JimB.
Click to expand...
All that I can tell you as a former state trooper is that we never arrested any homeless that took up sleeping in an airport. Airports present a safe environment with bathrooms, heat in the winter, cool in the summer. If they cause problems or beg, we would remove them, but never arrest any.

There was an older man that took up residency in the local airport when I was working in Pittsburgh. He never bothered a soul. In the winter, he would mostly just walk around inside. In the summer, he would leave, but return at night. He said his name was Earl. I asked him once if he didn’t get any money from the state. He said he got $400 a month. From time to time, I would treat him to a meal if I would run into him. As far as I could tell, he didn’t drink or was using drugs. I hadn’t seen him for 2 weeks. When I asked about him, no one knew what happened to him, so I asked the airport manager. He said Earl was taken to the hospital after he may have had a stroke. UPMC was the closest hospital. I drove over there and found out Earl died.

He was buried in what we called Potter’s Field, which was an area in a local cemetery where indigents were buried. I found out he was a Veteran, so I was able to collect enough money to add to what the VA gave to have a small marker put on his grave. It said “Earl - Unknown to many, but a friend to everyone.” There were many unmarked graves there.
 
If I was homeless Id also be looking for a warm place in Winter , whether it be a shoping mall, or an airport ..

I remember a Film once about a man who lived years in an Airport because he hadnt the right papers to leave the Country or stay , Im not sure but it could have been true ..
 
911 said:
All that I can tell you as a former state trooper is that we never arrested any homeless that took up sleeping in an airport. Airports present a safe environment with bathrooms, heat in the winter, cool in the summer. If they cause problems or beg, we would remove them, but never arrest any.

There was an older man that took up residency in the local airport when I was working in Pittsburgh. He never bothered a soul. In the winter, he would mostly just walk around inside. In the summer, he would leave, but return at night. He said his name was Earl. I asked him once if he didn’t get any money from the state. He said he got $400 a month. From time to time, I would treat him to a meal if I would run into him. As far as I could tell, he didn’t drink or was using drugs. I hadn’t seen him for 2 weeks. When I asked about him, no one knew what happened to him, so I asked the airport manager. He said Earl was taken to the hospital after he may have had a stroke. UPMC was the closest hospital. I drove over there and found out Earl died.

He was buried in what we called Potter’s Field, which was an area in a local cemetery where indigents were buried. I found out he was a Veteran, so I was able to collect enough money to add to what the VA gave to have a small marker put on his grave. It said “Earl - Unknown to many, but a friend to everyone.” There were many unmarked graves there.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, it’s not just one old man. I saw some pictures of this situation yesterday. There was one guy passed out cold in front of the doors to get in and out. There were panhandlers and one area that had been taken over and completely trashed with the belongings of the homeless. Travelers couldn’t use it and wouldn’t want to. It’s unsanitary and unsafe.

People using the airport to travel should have more rights than the homeless, in my opinion, but that’s just me.
 
911 said:
He was buried in what we called Potter’s Field, which was an area in a local cemetery where indigents were buried. I found out he was a Veteran, so I was able to collect enough money to add to what the VA gave to have a small marker put on his grave. It said “Earl - Unknown to many, but a friend to everyone.” There were many unmarked graves there.
Click to expand...
Your memory touched me, @911 . Thank you for looking out for Earl.
 
Lady said:
If I was homeless Id also be looking for a warm place in Winter , whether it be a shoping mall, or an airport ..

I remember a Film once about a man who lived years in an Airport because he hadnt the right papers to leave the Country or stay , Im not sure but it could have been true ..
Click to expand...
Now that you mention it, I kind of remember that movie. was that called “The Terminal?” Was Tom Hanks in it? I think it was a true movie.
 
jimintoronto said:
A possible solution.........May I see your flight ticket, please ? No ticket ? You are being charged with trespass, in a federal facility. Come with me to the security office where we will take your photograph, and finger prints. If you return to this airport , you will be arrested and sent for trial. JimB.
Click to expand...
Maybe they could try to get on a bus to New York & once there claim they are seeking amnesty. Good chance to be put up in a hotel & fed.
 
Myrtle said:
Unfortunately, it’s not just one old man. I saw some pictures of this situation yesterday. There was one guy passed out cold in front of the doors to get in and out. There were panhandlers and one area that had been taken over and completely trashed with the belongings of the homeless. Travelers couldn’t use it and wouldn’t want to. It’s unsanitary and unsafe.

People using the airport to travel should have more rights than the homeless, in my opinion, but that’s just me.
Click to expand...
I met Earl back around 1980. We didn’t have a big homeless problem back then. He would tell me stories about how he would get free stuff. He had a new pair of boots on one day. I mentioned it to him and he told me that the Salvation Army was having a day for people to get free coats, shoes, boots and gloves. I asked him where did he store his stuff. He said he rented a locker down at the Greyhound bus terminal for $1.50 a day for the large locker. I could tell Earl wasn’t all there, but he was a really nice man that could be taken advantage of. I would tell him not to lend or give away any of his money. He would say, “No, No.” He even kept his money in the locker. Always had a smile on his face.
 
That "flight ticket" thing would never work. People are in airports for many different reasons. Some of them are there to see someone off, some of them are there to meet and pick up people who have just arrived or will be arriving soon, some are there to purchase tickets or take care of other business, etc.

Are the police supposed to assess the likelihood of the person being "homeless" by the state of their clothes? Lots of luck with that.

It seems to be that with all the violence taking place in our cities, the police have more important things to do than to walk around like some sort of fascist dictators, singling out people for interrogation as to why they are there.

There are other solutions, such as providing shelters for the homeless, and counseling services.
 
Gary O' said:

The homeless are now camping out in O’Hare airport​


It's an epidemic in a lot of places





There's no room at THAT Inn
Click to expand...
This is a problem that isn’t going away, but getting worse. The government needs to figure out a solution. I hear most people say that the homeless want to live on the streets. I don’t know if that’s true or not.
 
911 said:
I met Earl back around 1980. We didn’t have a big homeless problem back then. He would tell me stories about how he would get free stuff. He had a new pair of boots on one day. I mentioned it to him and he told me that the Salvation Army was having a day for people to get free coats, shoes, boots and gloves. I asked him where did he store his stuff. He said he rented a locker down at the Greyhound bus terminal for $1.50 a day for the large locker. I could tell Earl wasn’t all there, but he was a really nice man that could be taken advantage of. I would tell him not to lend or give away any of his money. He would say, “No, No.” He even kept his money in the locker. Always had a smile on his face.
Click to expand...
The point I am trying to make is that what you are describing is not comparable to what is going on today. It’s not one poor old man, it’s drug addicts, drunks, violent criminals, people accosting travelers, begging, threatening and trashing the areas meant for the use of those waiting for flights.

But, if public opinion will support it perhaps they will simply turn the terminal or part of the terminal into a shelter. They can add the cost onto the price of a ticket. Thankfully, I haven’t flown into O’Hare in years and don’t expect to.
 
Let's see. We won't aid the homeless. We don't need to provide, food, shelter and medical care. If they become bothersome, we'll arrest them, sending them to jail, giving them food, shelter, and medical acre???? Minimum wage is no way a livable wage as far as housing is concerned. I don't have a magic solution. Whatever the solution is, we aren't prepared to take it.
 
Sunny said:
That "flight ticket" thing would never work. People are in airports for many different reasons. Some of them are there to see someone off, some of them are there to meet and pick up people who have just arrived or will be arriving soon, some are there to purchase tickets or take care of other business, etc.

Are the police supposed to assess the likelihood of the person being "homeless" by the state of their clothes? Lots of luck with that.

It seems to be that with all the violence taking place in our cities, the police have more important things to do than to walk around like some sort of fascist dictators, singling out people for interrogation as to why they are there.

There are other solutions, such as providing shelters for the homeless, and counseling services.
Click to expand...
How about this. If the person is there 3 days in a row, with no good reason to be there...Trespass them, and if they return, prosecute them. Here in Canada the international airports are Federal Government properties, and each one has a dedicated Police service who are assigned to be there 24/7. Their job is to enforce the laws and respond to problems at the airport. That is why this type of problem in the USA won't be tolerated in Canada. JimB.
 
fuzzybuddy said:
Let's see. We won't aid the homeless. We don't need to provide, food, shelter and medical care. If they become bothersome, we'll arrest them, sending them to jail, giving them food, shelter, and medical acre???? Minimum wage is no way a livable wage as far as housing is concerned. I don't have a magic solution. Whatever the solution is, we aren't prepared to take it.
Click to expand...
In what way won't we aid them? The only way I see is that we don't provide longterm mental health facilities and I do believe that could make a huge difference. Except, there's always an except, isn't there? Except we can't force them into longterm mental health care. The courts will not allow it.

There is food and shelter. We've turned the streets over to them for panhandling. There are so many places handing out food here that you only have to choose the one you want. One local FB group has made a list of food pantries with at least one distribution for each day of the week in this large but not the biggest city. There are hot meals, not only at the shelter but also at churches and organizations. Some restaurants give away food.

We give money. My personal choice for donating is a group that helps the working poor, people close to homeless but not yet. The group will pay rent, they will give food and clothes, they will help you find a job and child care, but there is a catch. They will help you if you are trying to help yourself. They won't help you forever. If you do not show progress they will help someone else.

Have you helped at the homeless shelter? I don't mean serving Thanksgiving dinner. There are groups here that go in and clean the shelter. The idea is that they schedule us to give the staff time off and to expose citizens to the situation. We pull the mattresses off the bunkbeds, wipe down the frames and wipe down the plastic covered mattresses. We sweep and mop the floors, clean bathrooms, etc. My particular group is an inter-age group. We are mostly elders and teens, male and female. The teens climb the beds and wipe the frames, we elders wipe the mattresses. We have to be very careful not to get stuck with a needle because the homeless leave the used ones in the mattresses. I've taught more than one young person how to swing a heavy mop and wring it out in a wringer bucket. The kids have never seen mops like that. The shelter here provides kennels for pets so people aren't forced to leave their dog on the street or stay with them. It sounds kind of crazy to me but I haven't been able to do this since I broke my hip a year ago and I miss it.

Most of the homeless are suffering from their drug of choice, whether it's alcohol or something worse. Places like Denver and Portland are legalizing hard drugs. But, I do have an idea how to help beyond the obvious of making drugs less available. People need individual help. They need someone who cares about them and will be in for the long haul. What if we housed the homeless in the homes of those with the deepest feelings about them? Those who are very compassionate and really care. Those who will go the extra mile to help just one person. Would that work? I think it might. What we are doing now isn't working so is it time to try something new? I will say upfront, it won't be me. I'm willing to clean after them and give money to them but I'm not as compassionate as most of you here. You sound like the kind of people who could do it.
 
Horrible problem here in Santa Clara County with illegal tenting set up along freeways, creeks, back streets. Large numbers of them and organized criminal gangs driving in from Oakland, preying on our wealthy Silicon Valley residential areas that are constantly being frustratingly posted on NextDoor with hundreds of people angry. Especially bad are all the catalytic converter thefts, car thefts, smash car windows and grab car burglaries, home burglaries while people are at work or on vacations, and deranged drug and mental cases freely walking about streets that politicians and their monkeywrenching judges point everywhere else at. All this while California politicians are inviting in endless more poor with all manner of services and freebees given effectively open borders.
 
fuzzybuddy said:
I don't believe every "homeless" person has an incurable mental illness. I believe a "homeless person" is one, who, for some reason, doesn't have a home, a mental illness is not a requirement.
Click to expand...
Agreed. Some homeless people lost a job or had a financial setback and work their way out of it. There are many reasons to be temporarily homeless but I still believe addiction and mental illness are the biggest causes for the chronically homeless.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top