Homeless, One Less in Las Vegas

Norm, I'm sorry I couldn't save you from the streets.

I pray that you are now at peace.

++ March 8, 2006 ++

And then there were seven...

http://activistsinlasvegas.blogspot.com/2006/02/eight-homeless-arrested.html

Addendum:

Dana, I am not offended at all by your question. [Did Norm pass away while in jail?] I think it's important for all of us to be able to ask questions, get information out there, and see how we can prevent these things from happening again. I know it's always going to happen (deaths, abuse, oppression) but at least we can try to minimize (?) it.

I've known Norm for many months now. He was one of the 8 homeless who was arrested for flipping off the marshals when the marshals told them they couldn't eat in the park anymore.

He was at the park almost daily all the months that I knew him. He loved seeing Lyla on Sundays and was always respectful to us. But he had a lot of animosity(??) toward the authority and the system.

Normally I have a feel for who is doing drugs and who is drinking. I thought that Norm mostly had a drinking problem. I didn't realize that it was more serious.

I only had to mention once to him that I would help him get sober. And the next day he said, "Gail, I'm ready." I immediately took him up to Westcare and they told us that they had no beds. I dropped him off at Salvation Army. But I don't think he got in.

Norm passed away on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 from a suspected drug overdose. Toxicology tests will be performed to determine the cause of death.

Yes, I would like to do something like a vigil for Norm. Norm was special as each of them are.

Your ideas and support would be deeply appreciated. I don't think that a yearly vigil for the homeless who have died is enough.

What's the Problem?

The funny part about this is that back in June of last year when FNBs was only going to Huntridge Circle Park once a week, we had no problems with the authorities and the neighbors.

But back then we were only serving once a week on Sundays- bagels, one pot of rice, and one pot of beans to about 15 people. But this evolved into a seven day event serving anywhere between 50 and 100 people per day.

Also, the young FNBers have had drum practice, and poster making gatherings, etc. in the past with no problems with the city regarding permits.

I never really considered myself a FNBer although many folks refer to me as such because
I try to follow the fnb philosophy.

But I think the problem started when our homeless problem became public. I was portrayed as a local hero for feeding the homeless and needy everyday. I was also bringing clothing and blankets to protect them from our 30 degree winter temperatures.

http://lasvegascitylife.com/articles/2005/12/23/cover_story/cover.txt

There are a lot of issues with the homeless, needy, and hungry. My opinion is that the basic needs have to be a priority: food, water, safe shelter, clothing, and hope. Then the other issues have to be addressed: safe, affordable permanent housing, the problems with obtaining identification, SSI benefits, VA benefits, drug and alcohol addictions, jobs,
police abuse, and the money being made daily with the revolving door of incarceration.
For example, the homeless are being arrested daily for activities that non-homeless persons are not being arrested for. The city and the jails are receiving government money for each person, each day in jail.

When my homeless friends went missing for days and weeks, I would call the jail to see if they were there. When one elderly, handicapped homeless friend was taken off the streets by one of the non-profit organizations that is part of a $3 million grant and then thrown back onto the streets after four days, I spoke with a city employee.

In addition to being against everything FNB stands for, I don't think the city likes it too much to have non-homeless witnesses to these abuses and the long-term or permanent oppression.

I guess maybe some of the non-profits are also not too happy with me. I'm taking some of their "customers" away. Some of these non-profit organizations are also receiving government money for each customer.

I don't pretend to know all the answers to these multiple issues. I've always said that there is a need and a place for each of us homeless advocates.

I would like to END homelessness and not just address the symptoms. But sometimes it seems to me that the city and some non-profits don't want to END homelessness. Maybe it has something to do with the money they are making addressing the never-ending symptoms of homelessness??

My court date is March 20th at 8:00 am, and I will be pleading not guilty.

This is my way of expressing my disatisfaction with the city for not properly addressing our homeless problem and instead trying to hide it up in the north part of our city- away from the glitter and lights of Las Vegas.

Peace and love thru the struggle

Free Speech Chilled in Circle Park, Las Vegas CityLife

FREE SPEECH CHILLED IN CIRCLE PARK

BY EMMILY BRISTOL

Did someone repeal the First Amendment while no one was looking? Judging by recent actions, city park marshals seem to think so, at least in Huntridge Circle Park.

On Feb. 22, marshals told local activist Joe Sacco he couldn't have a protest sign in the park. Several people in the park, many of them homeless, witnessed marshals directing Sacco to put a protest sign away through the loud speaker system of their patrol car.

To read the complete article:

http://www.lasvegascitylife.com/articles/2006/03/02/local_news/shrapnel/shrapnel.txt

Rent Vouchers and Homeowner Scam?

NOW what is happening is there are house owners who have scouts going out into the streets looking for homeless who want to get off the streets.

They tell the homeless that they take the vouchers. They tell them that the rent is
$369 per month which is what the rent vouchers are. They take the homeless to the "homes" and then take them to Clark County Social Services to fill out all the paperwork.

They pack them in 15-20 homeless. They get the rent voucher and then 4 days later they kick everyone out of the house.

"Furnished rooms, TV, phone, kitchen, priviledges, shared living room area, nice quiet area, close to convienient stores, swimming pool, jacuzzi, all utilities included."

The spelling errors are theirs, not mine.

So far, nothing has been done about this scam, I heard because it is a civil matter.