The estimated number of homeless people in Jacksonville, Florida tops 1500. During the winter months, hundreds of them line up outside of the city's only homeless shelter with hopes of getting one of the 300 beds. The others slowly place cardboard or quilts on the ground, and lay down, side by side, on the cold sidewalk just outside the City Rescue Mission.
Lately, police have cracked down on city ordinance regarding trash and obstruction and are forcing the homeless to "remove their trash" (which is in essence, their personal belongings). Many of the homeless sleep on the sidewalk outside of the mission because it is a "safe zone." Many of them have been mugged, beaten, and robbed when they stray away from the group. It's no coincidence that the actions taken by the officers came just days after Mayor Peyton vowed to move the homeless from Laura Street as a part of the city's downtown renovation pledge.
Thoughtlessness by the city leaders? Or a last resort to a growing problem? If they really think it's the latter, how is bothering the less fortunate on a daily basis a solution?
CDA2
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