03/18/04  - Dallas Homeless

The comments on DallasArena.com about the Homeless Assistance Center have been most interesting.  What really caught my attention were the comments from your readers that they have not received any action when reporting homeless in their neighborhoods.  

The general public can certainly have a positive impact on addressing the issues surrounding the homeless only if their concerns are addressed.  

I have created an e-mail address for any person who would like to report a specific homeless individual or campsite in their area.  This information will be used to document movements and will be delivered to professionally trained outreach teams whom I work with.  If the case cannot be dealt with, the ICP officers at each Police Substation will be notified.

I understand it is hard to be compassionate when there is no evidence of concerns being addressed.  Today, if you drive by Lovers and the Greenville intersection, the 13 homeless individuals who "panhandled" and lived around there are now down to three.  Of the original 13, 8 have jobs or income, 1 is in treatment and 1 is in an assisted living facility.

If we as citizens are going to be taxed to address social ills, then let's make certain our money goes towards not only improving our neighborhoods and community, but also adding to the tax base by getting these people back into mainstream society.

Notify us about homeless in your areas at dallashomeless@mail.com.   Please put location (address) date and time of day when sighted.

Best Regards,

James K. Waghorne
Dallas Homeless Neighborhood Association  President