FAST FACTS:
(Memphis 12/4/2009) "I'm not trying to put people in jail just because they're homeless, I hope the public will understand that," said Col. Billy Garrett of the Memphis Police Department.
There's controversy brewing over how to help the city's homeless. Police want them off the streets. This week, they even handed out business cards to tell them where to get help.
Next week, they'll check the same spots to make sure the homeless have moved out. If not, they could be arrested.
The Mid-south Peace and Justice Center applauds the police for guiding the homeless to service providers. However it says arresting them to get them off the streets, would be a mistake.
"Not everybody's out here because they're drunk or drug addicts," said Larry Anderson.
He was born and raised here in Memphis.
"I was hit by a drunk driver a year ago," said Anderson. "I ended up banged up pretty bad, couldn't work for awhile, couldn't pay my bills so I lost my place to live."
He sits in freezing temperatures outside the Union Mission. He'll sleep here tonight to escape the cold.
"What if someone were to give that person attention, what difference would that make in an individual's life?" said Col. Billy Garrett.
He says "The Blind Side," the box-office hit about a homeless teen who overcomes the odds, inspired him to reach out to folks like Anderson.
"They're human beings and something's gotta be done," said Col. Garrett.
This week police passed out business cards, directing the homeless to the Hospitality Hub downtown to be paired up with local service providers.
"That's the crux of this plan, to make sure they know where they can go to get this help," said Col. Garrett.
But starting next week, anyone lingering in one of 17 homeless encampments could be charged with Trespassing.
"I don't see what good it's going to do, how it's going to accomplish anything," said Anderson.
The Mid-South Peace and Justice Center are critical of the cops planned sweep calling it "illegal," it says "Jobs not Jail" are the answer.
"The only thing that's going to accomplish anything is the economy getting better, the city providing affordable housing to guys that are on the street," said Anderson.
The Mid-South Peace and Justice Center is asking Mayor A C Wharton's office to put a stop to this sweep. It is meeting with the mayor monday to discuss this plan.
WREG will continue to follow this story and keep you posted.
- Police gave homeless business cards on where to go for help
- Next week, if they're still in encampments, they could be arrested
- Mid-South Peace & Justice Center says any arrests would be a mistake
(Memphis 12/4/2009) "I'm not trying to put people in jail just because they're homeless, I hope the public will understand that," said Col. Billy Garrett of the Memphis Police Department.
There's controversy brewing over how to help the city's homeless. Police want them off the streets. This week, they even handed out business cards to tell them where to get help.
Next week, they'll check the same spots to make sure the homeless have moved out. If not, they could be arrested.
The Mid-south Peace and Justice Center applauds the police for guiding the homeless to service providers. However it says arresting them to get them off the streets, would be a mistake.
"Not everybody's out here because they're drunk or drug addicts," said Larry Anderson.
He was born and raised here in Memphis.
"I was hit by a drunk driver a year ago," said Anderson. "I ended up banged up pretty bad, couldn't work for awhile, couldn't pay my bills so I lost my place to live."
He sits in freezing temperatures outside the Union Mission. He'll sleep here tonight to escape the cold.
"What if someone were to give that person attention, what difference would that make in an individual's life?" said Col. Billy Garrett.
He says "The Blind Side," the box-office hit about a homeless teen who overcomes the odds, inspired him to reach out to folks like Anderson.
"They're human beings and something's gotta be done," said Col. Garrett.
This week police passed out business cards, directing the homeless to the Hospitality Hub downtown to be paired up with local service providers.
"That's the crux of this plan, to make sure they know where they can go to get this help," said Col. Garrett.
But starting next week, anyone lingering in one of 17 homeless encampments could be charged with Trespassing.
"I don't see what good it's going to do, how it's going to accomplish anything," said Anderson.
The Mid-South Peace and Justice Center are critical of the cops planned sweep calling it "illegal," it says "Jobs not Jail" are the answer.
"The only thing that's going to accomplish anything is the economy getting better, the city providing affordable housing to guys that are on the street," said Anderson.
The Mid-South Peace and Justice Center is asking Mayor A C Wharton's office to put a stop to this sweep. It is meeting with the mayor monday to discuss this plan.
WREG will continue to follow this story and keep you posted.
