Indiana

Put Them Away

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

I hate to be the bad guy, but it’s time start rounding up some of the city’s homeless people and politely, respectfully and humanely put them away into an institution.  Hey, someone’s gotta say it.

And I don’t say this lightly.  I say this because up until this week nearly three dozen people built a District Ninesque town under the Davidson street overpass just south of Washington Street.   It took numerous complaints to finally get them out of there, but the bigger issue though is homelessness.

Let’s be honest, the research has shown that a good chunk of the homeless are individuals with mental or addiction issues.  And while this was before my time, many people tell me the homeless problem got out of control when former Governor Evan Bayh closed Central State Hospital.    Maybe it’s time to recreate Central State.

Before you call me an uncaring, inhumane elitist, think about this.  What’s a more cruel position,  allow someone to live under a bridge where he or she is a danger to themselves and others or put them in a place where they can get the treatment and attention they need?

There is nothing cruel about putting people who can’t take care of themselves in a place where they be looked after.    It’s more cruel to turn them out on the street which is only going to cause grief and problems for them and society as a whole.

And ponder this, a roof over your head, three square meals a day and a straitjacket is better than living on the street in 20 degree weather.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on March 02, 2010 (boomark / email).