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Homeless people concern safety of residents

City public safety should step up to protect students

Published: Monday, October 1, 2012

Updated: Monday, October 1, 2012 17:10

 

According to the University of Delaware Police Department, there has been an increase in the amount of students coming in contact with Newark’s homeless population. As the colder months are on the horizon, students should brace themselves to see an increase of homeless people wandering libraries and other public buildings.

Although many university students are sympathetic toward homeless people and willing to participate in volunteer efforts, many find the amount of homeless people occupying Newark to be surprising. Often times, many homeless people crowd around restaurants and shops on Main Street, sometimes interacting with students. Though not much action can be done to control where homeless people go during the day, the Newark community offers a slew of shelters in a close proximity to the university.

St. John’s Evangelical and Newark Methodist churches in Newark offer resources for the homeless, along with other Newark-based Friendship Houses like the Emmaus House on Continental Avenue. These shelters are in walking-distance from Newark’s downtown area, making them all the more accessible for the homeless who cannot afford transportation.

This is an area that the Newark Police Department can improve on: Enforcing that the homeless occupy the shelters throughout the nights. Newark Public Safety needs to ensure the utmost safety of its students, and an area of concern includes the crowds of homeless people on Main Street. Most cities offer an ultimatum or a fine for homeless people who refuse to take advantage of their shelters. The Newark Police Department should especially be alert of crime related to homeless people to protect the student body. It is not to say that students are insensitive to the homeless people within the university parameters, but that there have been reports of dangerous encounters that make most students uncomfortable. 

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7 comments

Anonymous
Sat Jan 5 2013 19:43
To the individual with poor writing abilities who commented on the 22nd: What kind of options do you think are available for the homeless in Wilmington? Could you please explain how having compassion for the homeless is "liberal?" It seems like you are the one who fastidiously adheres to ridiculous political labels. Perhaps everyone who commented previously self-identifies as conservative. You really have no way of knowing. There are homeless people everywhere. How would the existence of a few homeless people who hang out on Main Street and strike up friendly conversation with students cause others not want to attend the university? Furthermore, why students--overwhelmingly well-to-do, ignorant, and rude brats--not wanting to attend UD be a bad thing? You are certainly entitled to your opinions, but please acquire rudimentary critical thinking skills before attempting to argue your poorly explained opinions.
Anonymous
Mon Oct 22 2012 12:21
I laugh at the liberal agenda of the above comments. Although I would agree that homeless people should not and cannot be forced to go to a homeless shelter, as it would be unlawful for the government to dictate a law forcing citizens to occupy a homeless shelter, homeless people certainly would be defying loitering laws and the university does have the authority to restrict them from its property i.e. the library, academic buildings, the green, etc. Additionally, "pan handling" or asking for money on the street without a permit is illegal.

What the above comments do not take into account is that homeless populations affect the university community in a negative way and would deter future students from coming to the university and having people shop in local businesses. Whether they are harmful or not, that will not prevent the ubiquitous opinions and fears that are seen for homeless people. Lastly, there are many other places that would be more fit for homeless shelters and communities than Newark. Wilmington is a transportation hub and has many options for the homeless

Anonymous
Sun Oct 7 2012 01:59
I would echo the sentiments previously posted. The article is flawed, the author is ignorant, and the Review is endorsing blatant discrimination by allowing an editorial of this nature. The Review should allow a letter to the editor of this type, as freedom of speech and ideology is fundamental, but to allow an editorial of this nature is purely elitist and shows the immaturity of those responsible.

I would challenge the Review and or the author to find one City or government entity that penalizes or charges a homeless individual with a crime or traffic offense for refusing to go to a shelter. You will not find one, it is simply unconstitutional! The Newark Police have limits, as does the University Police, and any other police agency. Homelessness is not a crime. Additionally, being homeless and around college students should not create fear among wither group.

College-aged individuals seem to pride themselves in being an "open minded generation". This Review editorial shows how false that really is. The Review should retract this editorial and issue a clear and convincing apology to the homeless in the area as well as to NPD and UDPD for the blind ignorance they demonstrated by putting this editorial on paper.

Shame on you!

Anonymous
Fri Oct 5 2012 18:05
I would first like to state that the basis of this article is untenable. Homelessness is something that affects the community and, logically, therefore the students. This article's argument assumes, without support, that the City of Newark owes greater protections to students than it does to the City's homeless population. This, in and of itself, is flawed; as part of our fundamental rights we are guaranteed equality under the law. Second, the tone of this article casts all members of the City of Newark's homeless population. I am a graduate of the University of Delaware and have never heard of a student having a "dangerous encounter" with a homeless person either officially or unofficially. The author is offending the autonomy of both students and the homeless persons alleged to have caused, in full or in part, said "dangerous encounters."

I would next like to address the author's call for compulsory confinement to homeless shelters at night which would be enforced by the City's police officers. Nowhere in the Chapter 22, Police Offenses, of the Newark, Delaware Code of Ordinances is there a provision stating that being homeless is a criminal offense. There is also no right to deny the personal freedom of an individual and compelling them to remain in an enclosed area against their will unless under arrest for a crime for which there is probably cause to believe that the person being arrested is guilty of the crime. I see little to no legal basis for the compulsory confinement the author wishes to impose. The rights of students under the law are no greater than the homeless.

I am appalled at the absurdity of this article regarding its implications of the criminal and hostile nature of the City's homeless population, the naivety of the student body, and its bastardization of the law. I would highly recommend that this author do more research/investigation in order to educate her/himself regarding this issue prior to issuing an article such as this. If there are examples of "dangerous encounters," please provide them, and discuss briefly so there is some merit to the argument he/she is making. I would also recommend doing a bit of legal research as well in order to gain an understanding of the impact which compulsory confinement on the part of the government would cause.

Anonymous
Fri Oct 5 2012 16:37
*by "this is win" i mean Matt's comment is win. not the article.
Dan Gold
Fri Oct 5 2012 16:36
^ this is win. UD students: stop being afraid of what you don't know. most of you pose more of a threat to each other than those not fortunate enough to have a home.
Matthew Topolski
Fri Oct 5 2012 16:30
How many incidents of violence or crime have been documented where a homeless person was the offender? "Reports of dangerous encounters" is extremely vague. This is shoddy journalism at best. Why does this author believe that one's autonomy should be compromised because he or she does not have a home? Locking people up because they are unfortunate is reprehensible. The homeless do not pose a threat to the the student body or general public. Actual threats include date rape at parties, fraternity hazing, and ignorance and a lack of critical thinking on the part of student journalists. You may be fortunate enough to have a network of financial and emotional support, but many honest, good people don't. Please realize that, and please realize that you are no better than them because you were born with privilege. Good luck finding a job in this economy after graduation...see you on the streets.




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