Reply #20: I don't know if this is a solution...but there is a problem in SF [View All]

I don't know if the people on Haight Street with their dogs that block the sidewalks are actually homeless or if they are homeless by necessity, but I do think the city has an obligation to do something about some of the problem people that don't control their dogs and essentially block the sidewalks in that neighborhood.

I have a ton of sympathy for the homeless that are so because of economic, mental or substance abuse problems and think they should get all the care that they need.

But I don't think people that lie on the sidewalk much of the day and/or panhandle are necessaarily homeless. I think the typical homeless person lives in their car or is more hidden and works during the day and is much less visible than the street people I see in different parts of SF.

I've gotten a lot of flack on DU for it, but I don't give money to random panhandlers on the street. I think it's better choice for me (not you, you do what you want...), better choice for me to give to St. Anthony's, the Food Pantry, Shelter charities in amounts greater than what I would hand out on the street to random people (I'm not doing this to save money, in fact, I think the paycheck donation costs me more than I would hand out).

But there are problems with many of the people sitting and blocking the sidewalks in SF and I think the city has the right to do something about it and no, I don't think solving "homelessness" in terms of mental or economic issues is going to clear the folks off the street in the Haight. Some folks are there for other reasons.