"We need to take the parks back for the families" seems to be the resounding quote in Sun-Sentinel and even an L.A. Times article dealing with the issue of feeding the Fort Lauderdale homeless. Brittany Wallman has been writing in her blog and column that the people of Fort Lauderdale have had enough. One of the main areas of focus is one I see every day.
I cannot help but notice the homeless every day camped out in Stranahan Park, just a block away from where I take classes at Florida Atlantic University. I see homeless camped out in the grass, asking for money, using trees as urinals, and even eating plants. On Tuesday afternoons, I see a line of people waiting for handouts of food and clothing from a local group. Visitors and business owners in the downtown area say they've had enough and that the feedings are what attracts the homeless. The plan is to move them to another area and make it illegal to feed the homeless in the parks.
There are estimated to be 800 homeless living outdoors in Broward County, and many more homeless taking up residence with friends. I don't see simply feeding the homeless as solving the problem, however. In a city like Fort Lauderdale, it will be hard to move the homeless and not have everyday citizens in some area be affected by it. While there is a huge range of problems that cause these individuals situation, I don't think it will move the homeless away at all. This Band-Aid fix may even further what many believe is Fort Lauderdale's infection.
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