Detroit officials criticized after tossing homeless people's possessions
Source: Detroit Free Press
Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press Published 7:53 p.m. ET Feb. 7, 2019
An area of downtown Detroit where homeless people sought refuge from an impending ice storm was cleared by the city this week, leaving those who lived there without warm blankets, ground coverings and personal belongings.
The effort also put Detroit officials on the hot seat Thursday as they wrestled with how to help chronically homeless residents in an impoverished city and keep unkempt and neglected areas clean.
"This isn't the first time the city has done a clean sweep," said Gail Marlow, the executive director of the Motor City Mitten Mission in Grosse Pointe Park. "But, this time, there wasn't any warning."
Tuesday's sweep — at Hart Plaza and beneath an overpass near the Joe Louis Arena — roiled Motor City Mitten Mission volunteers and metro Detroit residents after WXYZ-TV (Channel 7) broadcast an interview with a 66-year-old homeless man who was in tears after he said his belongings, including his wallet and ID, were thrown away.
Read more: https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2019/02/07/detroit-homeless-outrage-clean/2803019002/
= new reply since forum marked as read
There is absolutely no excuse for taking homeless people's belongings and leaving them out in the weather - trash laying around or not. These are helpless human beings.
I read that they had been warned, but what the hell does the city expect them to do? Call a cab, then book flights to the Bahamas? These folks need assistance.
If this must be done, why not have volunteers help them bag up their stuff so they can be moved? Then, the city could transport them to shelters.
This doesn't sound like the Detroit I've read about.......
........
Seriously, we BUY used blankets at Goodwill type stores, and jackets, and snow pants, etc. to give out to folks in winter here. This is WORSE than disgusting. PERIOD.
Give a little, get a lot!
?itok=_hXhHnQW
