Almost none of the downtown residents who spoke at a community meeting last night wanted to talk about the controversial anti-panhandling ordinance that went into effect this month. Instead, those from both the homeless community and who own property downtown aired frustrations with coexistence.
Homeless individuals complained of being cussed at and spit on. Downtown residents spoke of intimidation.
Former Metro Councilman Leo Waters, who lives in a downtown condo, says he tries to help people living on the streets when he can, but there’s a limit to his generosity.
“You know, there is behavior that is unacceptable. My wife walks to the library quite frequently. I walk to the library, walk downtown. There is behavior that is not tolerated in a civil society, and there’s no excuse for it.”
Downtown dwellers have complained of homeless people using the sidewalks as restrooms and asking for money but refusing to take ‘no’ for an answer.
The Metro Council formed a task force on quality of life downtown when the anti-panhandling law was passed. It’s now in an information-gathering phase. The city’s focus on homelessness is expected to escalate as more and more people choose to work and live downtown.
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