An interesting look at the Homeless problem in Seattle. Spokane's downtown is also highly populated with the Homeless and a short walk from your car to an establishment is like running through beggers and the insane. It can actually be frightening.
In November we went out to dinner and on the way back to the car a homeless lady joined us walking back to the car. Not being assholes we calmly visited with her along the way. At the last minute, before we were getting in the car, she suddenly lunged forward and hugged me. While that was fine with me, I could see a lot of people not enjoying the experience.
I really don't understand the needle exchange programs and building homeless camps when what a lot of these people need is treatment. If access to drugs and needles is easy, what will be a bottom for them?
By the way, we used to love to go to Seattle for the weekend just to walk around and go shopping. We don't do that anymore it looks like a hell hole, stinks and feels dangerous. I hear that Portland and some California cities are in the same condition.
I'm not pretending to know the solution, but towards the end of this show they highlight a program in Rhode Island that seems to be having some success.
