I have posted here once before on the issue of motorhomes, vans, and cars with people living in them. I don't think I will do it again because it is so hard to sway those who are letting fear or a sense of entitlement rule how they think people should be treated. I thought it would be fun to live in a motorhome for one year, so last November I bought one, abandoned the bulk of my worldly goods and moved to Ballard in my new home. I have friends in the area and have seen lots of RV's parked there so it seemed like a natural choice. Aside from the passive aggressive folks at the art church that changed their lighted sign and left me a condescending note, my experience has been very pleasant. When the "artists" in the church asked me to move for an event, I did. I am nearly certain if any of the people calling the police about the RV's and vans asked the occupants to move, in person, not by way of nasty notes on the windshield. They would move. Question your motives for wanting them gone. People taking a dump on the side of your house? Completely reasonable they would no longer be welcome. Not caring for the look of that van in your area? Find something more meaningful to be offended by.
My Ballard Forum » Open Forum
Passive aggressive behavior alive and well in Ballard
(62 posts)-
PSTORM
offlineMemberPosted 4 years ago # -
Bamber
offlineMemberThis has certainly been a hot topic!
The compassionate side of me agrees with you completely, however, the homeowner side does not. I'm not going to apologize for the fact that I want my neighborhood to be aesthetically pleasing. If I wanted to live in a neighborhood that served as a safe haven for the homeless and/or people living in their vehicles - I would have bought a home somewhere else.
The fact is - when we purchased our home, we researched the neighborhood and decided there were many fabulous qualities about it - so we moved here. As a homeowner, I feel I have every right to ensure that my neighborhood remains the place I want it to be. And no, people living in their vehicles in front of my home is not the neighborhood I want. Again, as I've said in previous post, this may be considered heartless - but you know, my family worked really hard and we scrimped and saved and bought a house in a neighborhood we found desirable. It's not like we can pack it up and move at will. This is my home, my neighborhood that I've paid good money to live in, and I'd like to keep it the same neighborhood that drew me to it in the first place.
Again, I do not know what the answer is regarding people living in their vehicles - I feel terrible and heartbroken for anyone that finds themselves in that situation - I honestly could not imagine...there are many compassionate people who have posted on here about the rights of the homeless and how they should be able to live wherever they want - but what about the rights of the homeowner? I really don't think I'm a bad person because I want my neighborhood to remain the safe, lovely place that it was when we bought our home here. I choose to live in this neighborhood for a reason, and no...having the homeless in my front yard is not one of them.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Ballard Giant
offlineMember"...but what about the rights of the homeowner? I really don't think I'm a bad person because I want my neighborhood to remain the safe, lovely place that it was when we bought our home here. I choose to live in this neighborhood for a reason, and no...having the homeless in my front yard is not one of them. "
I agree Bamber. I paid a lot to live here and many thousands a year in property taxes to stay here. Car campers and homeless are not why I stay. I love our community and wouldn't want it to become a safe haven for the homeless.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Bike Patrol
offlineMemberGreat post, Bamber. Most of us aren't heartless people who want to railroad anyone down on their luck. This is a West Coast issue. Many municipalities in California are also addressing this very same issue. Eugene, OR is as well. I feel you have to always look at zoning codes and original intent. If it's zoned residential, this is for people who live in homes and apartment buildings. If it's zoned commercial, it's for commerce use. RV housing doesn't fall into either zone. From what I've read about this issue with other cities, local government and social service organizations are working to find designated areas away from commercial and residential zones. This is tough, and it puts RV's out of reach of many of the basic services they desire. On the other hand, they now have a place that's been designated for their use. The successful programs that I've read about have also made it a requirement that the people who benefit from these programs prove that they have been active residents of the immediate area. If you look up our Mayor's campaign to end homelessness, you'll see that 46% of the people the taxpayers of Seattle have provided shelter for, aren't even residents of our state.
Where do we go from here? We must all stay active. There's no short-term solution. We must lobby, petition, and vote for codes that address the issues many of us are concerned about. The first petition we should start is to address "Car Camping." Living in any type of a car or motor home should be restricted to designated areas.
Posted 4 years ago # -
BallardDINK
offlineMemberPSTORM, you made a decision to have a lark in a van, and that's great--good on you. You're an adult, and certainly capable of making your own decisions.
However, your choosing to live in a motorhome does not oblige me (or anyone else) to accept your decision. On the contrary, it's astoundingly selfish (and morally indefensible) to condemn someone's decision to condemn your decision.
Furthermore, you are not the arbiter of the "meaningfulness" of what your fellow Ballardites are allowed to be offended by. In fact, your homelessness (deliberate or not) compromises any claim to fair observation/impartiality on the issue. You're the chronic smoke who opposes the smoking ban, the dog walker who refuses to pick up poop, the motorist who chucks his cheetos bag out the window. In other words, you're the guy who has chosen to act in a way that his community has determined to be undesirable. Too bad for you, because it's the community's will that determines what is right or wrong.
To put it bluntly: your post fails.
Posted 4 years ago # -
lakreitz
offlineMemberpstorm,
I am not passive agressive. If your mo-ho is parked outside of my house for more than 24 hours, I will actively report it.Like many others who post here, I own my home. With taxes and insurance, before any mortgage, it's $700/month for me to live here. So you can save some coin and live in your mo-ho. Just don't put it in front of my house, because I feel more entitled to my street than a car camper. You can have your 24 hours, but after that move on.
But here's a rhetorical question. Why aren't the car campers allowed on city property? Why are neighborhoods pitted against eachother? Why are churches being hit on to offer their parking lots. The city freaked out over Nickelsville. They feared another Hooverville. The city has a Hooverville, but so far, they are successfully playing 'whack-a-mole' and prevented all of the homeless from congregating in one spot. Since you have a small space to maintain, and no yard to care for why don't you actively work on this pstorm? Or do you prefer the passive agressive approach of complaining on-line?
Posted 4 years ago # -
SPG
offlineMemberI've got to agree with BallardDINK, Bamber, and every homeowner on this one. We all have to pay for and take the time to work on our houses, pick the weeds, keep the place presentable, and be good neighbors, but I guess we're all suckers for working to make a nice neighborhood when we can just cash in and roll a s--tbox into a better neighborhood.
There's a reason why you can't park a half dozen semis and trailers on a residential street. There's a reason why you can't start a commercial rendering plant in your backyard. There's a reason you have to have a sewer connection.Also don't be surprised that people are leery of car campers around here. The guy who was killed in his truck, the overdose deaths on 8th ave a couple years ago, etc...
Posted 4 years ago # -
FormerPoster
offlineMemberThis is an interesting discussion. In my past 2 decades of living in Ballard, the homeless always have used the area south of Market St between 8th Avenue NW and Shilshole as car camping sites. There has also been a contingent of homeless that have used the areas close to the railroad tracks by Sunset Hill and down to Golden Gardens, not so much car camping there though. What has changed in the time I've been here?
1. Business development in the area I mentioned south of Market. Transition from Industrial use to retail and services.
2. Restaurants and (with a greater significance) bars that attract people from all over the Seattle area.
3. The extension of the Burke Gilman trail to Golden Gardens.
4. Condominiums...and more condominiums...and townhomes.
5. A different type of resident (and I mean homeowner/renter) that is attracted by Ballard's (relatively) low prices and proximity to downtown.
6. Declining public funds for the mentally ill, drug treatment and police enforcement.
7. A really bad recession.I think when you consider all of these factors and their obvious implications, we're not doing so bad - and yeah, I have a family and have the same concerns about crime and safety that any rational person would. Personally, I've experienced less crime than I did when I first moved here, which was also in the middle of a recession. The recurring theme that I am seeing in this site lately is fear, hate and like the OP stated, a sense of entitlement. This is in fact an urban neighborhood and I do feel that there are some trade-offs. Some of the people that post here have me a lot more concerned for Ballard's well-being than the homeless they claim are pillaging our neighborhood.
Posted 4 years ago # -
boardbrown
offlineMemberLast weekend I walked past the west entrance of the Zoo, and I'm sure most of you know, there are some car "campers" there as well. One of them in particular was a real mess. I was covered in black and green mold and was really ripe...if you catch my drift. I mean, that poop tank must have been packed to the brim. The only thing going through my mind at that moment was "get me outta here" while holding my breath. You'd need a HAZMAT team just to knock on some of those doors.
Posted 4 years ago # -
jeffo
offlineMemberOK former poster. you bring up some good points.
We are doing fairly well, I agree. Despite all the postings on here, I rarely encounter much crime, despite being pretty active around ballard.
(although earlier today, a dark colored car with two kids in it veered toward me on 28th ave (in their car, while I was biking) obviously trying to scare me into falling or otherwise)).
it's amazing how many more homeless and car campers I've seen in the past 5 years. Adjacent to the locks (behind the lockspot dumpster) there are typically 5-10 folks just hanging out at all hours of the day. a few weeks back on a particularly nice day, there were about 30 people there. I really thought there was some sort of bum convention going on.I think the burke gilman extension has helped, but extending it will help more.
cars can park for 36 hours or 3 days I believe, but I agree with the other posters, I don't want people necessarily camping in front of my home. I will call, or perhaps just ask them to move on.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Ernie
offlineMemberPstorm is my neighbor, (No, I DON'T live in the "art church") and frankly he/she is as good a neighbor as any of the others. I noticed the motorhome a while ago, mostly because it is freaking cool, totally sweet 60's style in perfect condition. I could tell that he/she wasn't a normal car camper because of the good condition of the vehicle and they have too nice a bike to be a homeless person.
My point is Pstorm has not caused any problems on our block, and they appear from their post to be a fairly normal person, so why do so many feel that their presence somehow takes away from our quality of life?
I say let's just judge all our neighbors by their actions, and not get all self-righteous about how the size of our mortgage determines our place in the social order. And BTW, since it obviously matters, I do OWN my house (along with the bank) and I've worked my a** off to restore it from a total piece of crap, and every time I see someone in the neighborhood sleeping in a car I just thank my lucky stars for what I have.
Posted 4 years ago # -
chopper 74
offlineMemberwow, I love my community, more now than ever. Ernie, study the 'broken window theory' it will teach you a great deal. You can't control what happens when issues like this aren't addressed. My good neighbors understand the issue quite well.
I was on a journey, once upon a time, in a diesel pusher, yeah, a huge beautiful rv. I was surprised when a note was tacked to the window, stating the jurisdictional bylaw that prohibited the use of any vehicle that was occupied by overnight use. Wow, I thought, even me?...Yes, it didn't matter who I was, or what my purpose was, I wasn't allowed to do so. I left, and thought, wow, that's a place that cares for it's community, even at the expense of what contribution I had to provide.
I respected that, and still do today. Some communities take pride in their space, some don't. I'd rather live in the former, as opposed to the latter.
So, unless you have a space designated for such use, don't whine about the restriction of it. Yeah, like someone said, sorry dude, bad post.Posted 4 years ago # -
chopper 74
offlineMemberOh, and I'm totally passive aggressive, it's a NW kind of thing ;-) Deal with it.
Posted 4 years ago # -
lemon24
offlineMemberIf you were in my part of Ballard, you could park outside my house as long as you attack the people who keep breaking into the cars in Ballard. But, when it comes time to sell my home and move on, I'd prefer that you park in my backyard and pretend you are family because a camper in front of a house is simply not a perk and given what I've lost in equity, every bit counts.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Ernie
offlineMemberChopper, thanks for the homework assignment, but I'll pass. In the meantime you should study the law in "your" community, a person can sleep in a car, and a car can be parked on the street for 72 hours. Then you can move one parking spot and start all over again.
Apparently your community is one of the ones that doesn't take pride in their space..... deal with it.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Kem66
offlineMemberPer the Seattle Municipal Code:
Title 11 - VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
Subtitle I Traffic Code
Part 7 Stopping, Standing, Parking and Loading
Chapter 11.72 - Stopping, Standing or Parking Restrictions
SMC 11.72.240 Moving vehicle to avoid time limit.No person shall move and repark a vehicle on either side of a street
within the same block in order to avoid a parking time limit
regulation specified for either side of the street in that particular
block.(Ord. 108200 Section 2(11.72.240), 1979.)
So you can't just move one parking space, the vehicle must be moved to another block. BTW if you call in a vehicle for overstaying the 72 hour limit, parking enforcement will come out, tag it, and then 72 hours later it will be towed.
Cheers.
Posted 4 years ago # -
SPG
offlineMemberI have friends who've rented RVs to do big road trips across the country and they stopped at RV campgrounds and friend's houses. I guess that's the way responsible people do it.
I have to ask the question of why these car campers generally don't do that? My guess would be that the campgrounds cost a few bucks and a lot of these people have burned their bridges with any friends and family to the point that they can't even park in their driveways anymore.
With a few exceptions, most of the people who wind up car camping on random streets aren't the most responsible people. The addicted ones have been kicked out of their homes and are now in that transition between normal society and living on the street. When the funds run really low, they'll sell the car for a fix and sleep on the street.
I feel for the people who've lost their income or are trying to flee an abusive relationship and have nowhere to go, but I wonder how many of the car campers make up that demographic. It seems the majority are the ones who've dropped out of society of their own will or have addictions that keep them there.Posted 4 years ago # -
Bamber
offlineMemberErnie - I'm certainly not saying that someone who sleeps in their car/RV isn't as "deserving" as I am. I'm sure Pstorm is lovely person - however, PStorm has chosen a lifestyle that is outside of the norm - I choose to live INSIDE the norm - and I like my neighborhood - sans RVs, etc.. And please don't give me the argument that I should have better things to worry about, because I certainly do (for example, trying to figure out how to pay a $3k bill to Swedish - and that was WITH insurance....)
And I'm not saying that I deserve better because I paid more to live here. It honestly doesn't matter how much money I paid to live here - the fact is - when I bought a home in this neighborhood - it was free of things that I consider to be outside of the norm and outside of things that devalue the neighborhood (and there is no way you could argue that people living in their cars/RV's would in any way increase the value of my home or keep it at what it currently is - no matter how you look at it - those things will devalue the neighborhood.)
Pstorm has chosen a different lifestyle - not that all people in their cars have chosen that lifestyle - some were placed there for whatever reason - but that is the card they've been dealt. If they want to live in the lovely neighborhood that I've paid to live in - buck up and get a mortgage just like the rest of us. If someone wants to live in an RV - go to a campground -that's what they are for.
As for the truly homeless living in their vehicles - I honestly do not have an answer for that. I'm not even going to pretend I know why or how it happens, but I do know a couple of hard-working individuals with two or three jobs that live in apartments with a room-mates - because living in their car would never be an option.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Jules
offlineMemberWhat amazes me is the sense of ENTITLEMENT of PStorm and others living in their vehicles! What's next? Setting up tents on our parking strips? Ballardites (renters and homeowners) are not nearly as passive-aggressive nor have half the sense of entitlemnt as the local vagrant population. Yesh, this is a nice neighborhood (or it WAS) because people here pay their taxes, mow their lawns, keep their fences free of graffitt and their yards free of old cars and appliances; and the last thing anyone wants is an old RV with "urban campers" parked in front of their house. IF you choose to live in an RV, then go to a campground.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Skippy
offlineMemberWhere do folks who are RV camping in the city empty their sewage? I know RV parks and campgrounds have facilities for this. Are there such facilities in the city? If not, it sounds like there is definitely a need.
Posted 4 years ago # -
SPG
offlineMember"Where do folks who are RV camping in the city empty their sewage?"
Storm drains.Why go to a campground and pay good money when you can just park anywhere and get the services that you really need, like a liquor store or a drug dealer?
Posted 4 years ago # -
Boxcar
offlineMemberI have to admit, I am one of the "fringe element" to whom the idea of voluntarily living the RV "vagabond" lifestyle really appeals to. I seriously have considered this option as a lifestyle choice.
That being said, we had a really crappy RV parked down the road for a while (they have since moved on, but I see it around Ballard still) and it bothered me. It wasn't hurting me, but it was an eyesore (not sure if it was nicer looking if I would have cared). When they left, they left a one gallon "trucker-bomb" as a thank you to the neighborhood for their hospitality.
A trucker-bomb is a bottle of urine, in case you haven't heard the term.
Posted 4 years ago # -
DavidB
offlineMemberI'm not tolerant of people living in their cars in residential neighborhoods. I think Bamber covered the many reasons for this. I think it's very creepy to look out your window and see people living in their cars.
If people have a criminal record for a sex crime they're required to register with the City and the police notify the neighbors if a sexual predator is living in the neighborhood. There is no notification process if the sexual predator is "homeless". I will continue to report these cars to the City so they're forced to move. I think an ordinance should be passed that don't allow living in cars.
Maybe we should petition the City for a neighborhood parking restriction to keep these cars from parking near our homes.
Posted 4 years ago # -
justanotherforumposter
offlineMemberAll you people need to get over yourselves you live in ballard not the highlands. It's a city and you choose to live in it so deal with it. Are you going to call animal control on the racoons next? Because they are intruding on your white trash paradise?What a bunch of whiney people I overpaid so much to live here and they didn't, did you ever stop to think they pay taxes right along with you everytime they purchase, food, gas, liquor. You think your property tax pays for the school your kids go to no sales tax pays for a portion. Do you think roads are paved with your property tax nope gas tax. So you get the benefit they get the harassment. Commence Flaming!
Posted 4 years ago # -
DavidB
offlineMemberTrue, we live within the City limits but that doesn't mean that we need to tolerate people living in their cars near our homes. The homeless used to stay downtown until the stores quit selling beer and wine.
If we don't report these illegally parked vehicles to the City then it's sending the message that it's OK to live in our neighborhoods. Bellevue doesn't seem to have this kind of problem so why should we tolerate it?
Hey, if you don't like it, MOVE!
Posted 4 years ago # -
justanotherforumposter
offlineMemberSo they are only allowed downtown? I didn't know the homeless needed papers to move around the city. Maybe we set up concentration camps downtown to house them in so that you will never have to look at those lazy inferior people. How do you know Bellevue doesn't have this problem? If Bellevue is so wonderful what are you doing here? Ah you probably can't afford it. I don't need to move I am perfectly happy with living in the city and all that entails.
Posted 4 years ago # -
DavidB
offlineMemberI don't care where they live but if they're living within sight of my house I will report them to the City.
Bellevue doesn't have this problem because the residents are not tolerant of it. As long as the community continues to report these hobos to the City along with me then they'll be forced to move on somewhere else.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Bamber
offlineMemberNope - I don't buy the argument that just because we "live in the city" we need to be tolerant of these behaviors. I choose to live in the city because I can't stand the thought of living in the burbs and never seeing my husband again because of the extensive commute he'd have to endure. I'm creating a life for my children - my family, here, and no, the homeless on my block is not part of the calculation.
I'm glad there are people like you - Justanother - maybe you are the person who will come up with a solution for the problem. Continue to be passionate and compassionate of the homeless. As for me, I'm going to continue to work towards making the neighborhood I call home exactly what I want it to be - that's my mission - and I'm glad you have yours.
Posted 4 years ago # -
justanotherforumposter
offlineMemberAgain where are the facts that Bellevue doesn't have this problem? I have been all over at leaset 45 states and I am going to say that there are people car camping in every major city. All you wannabe elitist need to get real jobs and move to a nice gated community where the problems of and urban area can't touch you. Funny part is if you look not to many homeless peeps in the CD.
Posted 4 years ago # -
justanotherforumposter
offlineMember@ Bamber so cool with exploiting the homeless for your own gain? You'll take their tax dollars and to pay for the school your children attend drive on the roads that their gas taxes pay for but they are not allowed in your commnity? Awsome, I feel bad for the next generation the NIMBY crap is bad but with your folks as role models it's only going to get worse. So we as members of the community are stuck with your vison of "what you want it to be", I'll note that next time my two businesses write checks to causes in this community. I had actually thought about talking to Ballard high about how we could raise funds for the football jerseys, but I guess I'll rethink that donation/plan.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Bamber
offlineMemberJustanother - now you're just silly! My husband and I DO have real jobs (and what is a "real" job anyway?) I think you're mistaken - the people who need to get a job are the people living in the cars that you you're advocating. Work with THEM to get the jobs so they don't have to live on my street!
You're using the term "elite" negatively - I believe that being elite is just wanting the best for a group of people - we as homeowners want what we believe is best for the neighborhoods that we live, work, and pay for. It doesn't matter how much any of us paid for our home, or how much we pay to rent, the fact is we PAY to live here and keep our neighborhoods clean and safe. What are the people living in their cars doing to better my neighborhood? Nothing.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Bamber
offlineMemberWhat tax dollars that the homeless are contributing are you talking about?
Posted 4 years ago # -
DavidB
offlineMemberHow is Bamber "exploiting" the homeless for her own gain? Please explain your reasoning with that comment.
I think it was nice of Bamber to comment to you that she repected your opinion. I also agree that you're entitled to your opinion even though I don't agree with it. No one has the right to infringe upon other people's rights.
In this case, Bamber and I believe that we have a right to live in a neighborhood that is free from homeless people living in front of our homes. We've invested in our community by buying our homes and paying taxes. We work hard to keep our homes up and we're not going to tolerate people "rolling" in and setting up camp in front of our homes.
As I said before, it's just creepy to have someone living on the street in front of your house!
Posted 4 years ago # -
justanotherforumposter
offlineMemberexploiting here lemme go slow for you dave sales tax dollars=revenue for the state, which in turn= money for schools. Gas Tax dollars=revenue for the DOT=roads that are used, oh and last "sin tax"=revenue=stadium's so you are more then happy to have these people pay taxes to support your "commnity" but they are not allowed to use any of it. When was the last time you saw a homeless person use an elementary shcool? But did they help pay for it when they bought pop? Yup they sure did. Did that street in front of your house magically appear nope it was paid for with tax dollars and so don't even begin to try and argue that the homeless don't pay taxes.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Bamber
offlineMemberOk, Justanother -with that logic - I'm paying an exorbitantly high property tax - for the house, on the street, in the community that I live and love. And I also pay sales tax, gas tax, business tax, employment tax - the list could go on and on - so I have rights to say what goes on in my community as well. Not because I pay taxes or pay more taxes - but because I contribute to the community I live in, and make it a better place.
Your logic is also allowing the homeless to sleep in the local parks - the same parks that I no longer feel comfortable taking my children to without getting harassed. And yes - I have been harassed by the homeless.
Look, I KNOW how easy it is to fall behind and how many of us are just one paycheck away from becoming homeless as well. We live in tough times and I'm holding on to everything I can to make the lives of my children happy and healthy. Letting my children play in the yard while someone is parked in front of it and pissing in a bottle is not happy, nor healthy.
I don't claim to know what the answer is - I know as the economy keeps heading where it's going we're likely to see more and more homeless/living in cars. So, I'm going to let the city or the police handle it. Or people like you - you own two businesses? Are you offering employment to the homeless? What are you doing to help the situation? Are you opening up your yard, your driveway to these people? You're certainly angry at a lot of us for not knowing what to do with the problem - but what are you doing?
Posted 4 years ago # -
DavidB
offlineMemberJustanother said "@ Bamber so cool with exploiting the homeless for your own gain?"
So you explained the basic theory of what tax dollars are used for but you didn't explain how Bamber is exploiting the homeless or anyone else. Bamber doesn't have any say in how the State/City spends tax revenue that's collected. Furthermore, the homeless are costing society MUCH MORE than any tax that they're paying anyway.
Of course homeless people use elementary schools. Do you think homeless people don't have children? Check the stats on that one! The "pop" the homeless person bought causes their teeth to decay and then the state likely pays for their dental work. The taxpayers also get to pay they get sick from the cigarettes they smoke and go to Harborview for treatment.
I pay property tax as well as sales taxes. Someone sleeping in their car in front of my house or anyone else's house is a "freeloader", plain and simple!
Posted 4 years ago # -
Fauxnothing
offlineMemberNot to mention the fact that the pop they purchased, and the cigarettes they smoke, and the booze they drink, was likely purchased with money they panhandled from some misguided tax payer.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Bamber
offlineMemberDavid B - EXACTLY - which is probably the reason I have a $3k bill to Swedish (even though I HAVE insurance) because my son is an asthmatic and we needed medical help. Why is MY bill so high? Because so many (homeless included) don't have insurance and/or can't pay their bill - so I get to pay more. I realize this is an entirely different topic - but does go hand in hand with justanother's argument that the homeless have "paid" for their right to live on my street.
Posted 4 years ago # -
oxssanna
offlineMemberExpressions that ensure a prompt cessation of any attempts at civil rational discourse:
1. "Get over it!" or its variant "Get over yourself!"
2. "Deal with it!"
3. "Get a life!"
4. "Lemme go slow for you..."
5. "If you don't like it, move!"
Intended inflection should be delivered like an enraged and scolding Judge Judy, while at the same time puffing up and turning purple like Rush Limbaugh.Posted 4 years ago # -
DavidB
offlineMemberHospital emergency rooms aren't allowed to turn anyone away so that's where most of the homeless are treated. All of us end up paying for this irresponsible "lifestyle".
I have empathy for people truly in need but too many of these vagrants have been attracted to Seattle because they think we're sympathetic to them. I NEVER give any change to them because you don't know which ones are only temporarily down on their luck.
The homeless/poor receive FAR more benefits from the governments than the taxes that they pay.
Posted 4 years ago # -
justanotherforumposter
offlineMemberYup all homeless are freeloaders, and are not allowed to use a public street. davidb I paid over 70k in just in income tax alone so I have given way more than I have recieved and recieved zero benefit other than pay to defend your right to harass the homeless and spout nonsense on the interwebs. Maybe if you took time to help fix the problem instead of wasting the city's resources making frivolous phone calls you wouldn't have people living in a car on your street. As for Bamber almost 16% (47 million)of american's lack basic health care, and obviously yours doesn't count for crap either but I guess something's better than nothing. I'm out you guys are geting just down right stupid with the argment's you say one thing then when refuted change directions or try and make some other illogical argument or contradict yor previous statements. I can't keep up with all the directions you're going.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Bamber
offlineMemberLOL, Justanother! My thoughts exactly!
Posted 4 years ago # -
DavidB
offlineMemberJustanother says: "Yup all homeless are freeloaders, and are not allowed to use a public street."
Yes, they ARE freeloaders, we all seem to agree on that point.
They're free to drive on the public streets they're not free to live on them! They're also not allowed to use our neighborhood as their trash can and toilet!
Justanother, I've asked you before to post your address so I can distribute it to all of the homeless that I see. I'm still waiting for that address....
Why don't you do something to help the homeless as Bamber suggested instead of arguing with us about their right to live in front of our homes? We're obviously never going to agree with you on that.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Observant
offlineMemberPStorm said "I am nearly certain if any of the people calling the police about the RV's and vans asked the occupants to move, in person, not by way of nasty notes on the windshield. They would move. "
I'm sure some of the people might move if asked, but I'm not about to go knock on someone's van/camper/ RV door when I don't know what kind of situation I might be going into.
My experience with the troublesome van (265VQR) that is the topic of much discussion on another thread keeps me wary.
I reported the van as abandoned AFTER having to go out of my way to avoid the drunken arguments and mayhem that van generated on the sidewalk it was parked next to. I wasn't about to approach the people living in it, after over hearing this conversation:
Man: So how's (Female name) doing?"
Man living in van: She's always s#^tfaced. But what am I going to do? I don't wanna go to jail again."Posted 4 years ago # -
Observant
offlineMemberSo please don't call concern for my own safety passive aggressive.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Bamber
offlineMemberFrom David B
"Justanother, I've asked you before to post your address so I can distribute it to all of the homeless that I see. I'm still waiting for that address...."Well, DavidB, as JUstanother pointed out - he paid over $70k in income tax alone last year - so that must mean he made more than $400K last year - he probably lives in a REALLY nice neighborhood, and they certainly don't want RVs there! LOL...
Posted 4 years ago # -
DavidB
offlineMemberGood point Bamber. I thought Justanother said on another post that he lives on a busy street so the homeless wouldn't want to live there. If that's true, it doesn't seem to be anywhere someone would choose to live if they're making $400K/year. I'd live somewhere that had a nice view on a quiet street if I made $400K/year.
I guess we'll know what neighborhood he lives in when he gives us his address. Still waiting...
Posted 4 years ago # -
SPG
offlineMemberJustanotherdumpsterxcvvbbn, Let's not kid anyone about these car campers. They're not working, they're paying at best 9% sales tax on whatever they're not stealing, and we all know that they consume services at a phenomenally higher rate than any homeowner with the amount of unpaid emergency room visits, EMS, SPD, Social Services calls. The negative impacts of their lifestyle hit all of us, the crime from the drug abuse, the pooping and peeing all over the place, and just the nasty eyesore that they are. When one of these car campers actually does fire up the engine and is so wasted they run you over, do you really think they're going to be insured?
Oh, sure, there are a few people out there who are fairly responsible and just cruising the country for a year, but they're parking in friend's driveways or RV campgrounds. What we're dealing with here are a bunch of bums who just happen to have a car. They don't want to have any of the responsibilities that come with having a car, like insurance or registration, but they do have the car.Posted 4 years ago # -
DavidB
offlineMemberA car that often doesn't run so they have to push it, but they do own a car.
Hey, what's up with the RV's that seem to be permanently parked down near the art gallery and near Sunset Bowl? Do those RV's ever move?
Posted 4 years ago # -
PhinneyLife
offlineMemberI was happy to find a great neighborhood in which to purchase my lovely, comfy home. And I too have been disappointed with some of the recent changes. But I also feel fortunate that I have not lost my house due to the economy (yet), that i have a place to hide when things are not going well, and that people are not berating me when I am down on my luck. But i wonder, how long can I keep up this facade if things keep getting worse. At least I have been educated that I will not be welcome outside my foreclosed house in an RV.
Posted 4 years ago # -
wp
offlineMemberYour stereotypes about car campers and the homeless are predictable, laughable, ridiculous, and close minded. You all think that Pstorm is a sex offending, drug using, jobless, violent, scary, creepy loser that is destroying your neighborhood, peeing in your grass, and endangering your children's lives. What if you found out that Pstorm is a social worker in the community working to make it a safer place and specifically working with the very people you deem to be so disgusting. It's arrogant, selfish, and entitled people like you that make the world the unequal, judgmental, and destructive place that it is today. Pstorm, keep doing the work you that you do and living the way you choose to live...
Posted 4 years ago # -
Bamber
offlineMemberwp, I completely disagree with you. I never said any of those things about the homeless or people living in their cars.
And PStorm is, apparently, living in an industrial part of town - by his own choice. I can only speak for myself, but the person living in their car in front of my house was dirty, peeing in yards, the vehicle was a filthy atrocity - and no, again, not welcome on my neighborhood - sorry.
And I'll say it again, I have no idea how people end up in their cars, but I do know several people who have had an extremely rough go of it, and work two jobs - ANY jobs, to NOT have to live in their car.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Observant
offlineMember@ Wp
Yeah, I'm arrogant and selfish because I have this idea in my head that Id like to walk on the sidewalk without inebriants staggering into me, or getting nearly hit in the head by same brandishing a beer bottle ( both incidents with the van mentioned earlier). Talking about specific incidences with specific people. Not going to take that lying down, sorry.
Posted 4 years ago # -
SPG
offlineMemberwp, I don't think I'm too far off the mark. In my past career I had to deal with a lot of car campers and the description is a pretty good fit. There were a few, and only a few, that didn't fit the stereotype above. The ones that didn't match that stereotype usually moved on pretty quickly and got themselves re-established in normal society.
Posted 4 years ago # -
OingoBoingo
offlineMemberWp.
Don't care if this PSTORM is a social worker though I have a lot of respect for the thankless job they do. Me wonders perchance if he/she could play a magic flute and lead this 'troubled' non productive van pool out of Ballard to a non-residential, system supported parking lot in an industrial area, say.. Detroit, and treat them there.
No apologies. They are here because it's easy living with low overhead.
Wp
You need to post your address so they can park all around your house.Posted 4 years ago # -
boardbrown
offlineMemberHey, if there's anyone out there w/ a nice shiny motorhome looking for a place to park it, come by my place. I'll meet you out in the yard and guide you to just the right spot...that way you'll block my view of our neighbor's shithole house across the street. Hell, you can even buy some drugs from the teens that live there. They've all dropped out of school and deal in broad daylight. Just don't pee in my grass.
Posted 4 years ago # -
chopper 74
offlineMemberThat's a shame boardbrown. Is it a rental house, or are the owners just a**holes? I know, some neighbors can be. I'd suggest making things a bit more difficult for them though. Camera, video, a tip to law enforcement...a nice scope on a deer rifle...
Posted 4 years ago # -
OingoBoingo
offlineMemberchopper 74
'...a nice scope on a deer rifle..' is way out of bounds. The low life trash who are victimizing this guy's neighborhood have no chips on the poker table except drugs, crime and violence. Starting with the police is a good thing.Posted 4 years ago # -
seattletree
offlineMemberPlain and simple, having campers outside yer house sucks. We have laws, report it and move them on, period. You don't like it -- tough. My neighborhood is not going to turn into a camper lane. They get their time and then they go...pretty simple. I have had enough human waste, left bags of garbage and trucker bombs (haven't hard that term before but I like it). If you feel so angry and hostile to people trying to preserve the beauty of their neighborhood, move and then open a campground and herd them in...
The parking enforcers do a fine job, just keep reporting it.Posted 4 years ago # -
Boxcar
offlineMemberMore on "trucker bombs"...
Posted 4 years ago #
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