PDX Urban Outdoorsman

I find it curious that the general public refers to anybody living on the street as “homeless”.  Perhaps I’m too critical but I do not see it that way so I will give you a rundown as to who I believe are truely “homeless”.

Homeless is the family who have become financially displaced and are doing everything in their power to change their position.

Homeless is not the junkie whose entire purpose in life is to get another bag at any cost.

Homeless is the person who works a full time job and lives out of their car for reasons unknown.

Homeless is not the drunk you see passed out in a doorway.

Homeless is the mother who has been abandonded by a deadbeat dad and is unable to afford housing.

Homeless is not the meth user spending anything he/she can get his/her hands on to get more.

Homeless is the disabled individual who is unable to get a job because of the disability.

and finally
Homeless is not the person who chooses to live outdoors for reasons that would take pages to explain.

What it all boils down to is the “homeless” are people who are doing or will do what they can to improve the condition they live in.  This is the entire reason I refer to myself as an Urban Outdoorsman.  It’s not a matter of semantics or wordplay, it’s just what it is.

Sincerely,
Pdxurbanoutdoorsman

There is an agency here in Portland that provides “help” to the homeless known as Tranision Projects Inc. . Among the services offered is a shelter for those who are attempting to get off the street and kickstart their life.  On paper this sounds great unfortunately most availing themselves of this shelter are in no way doing anything to change their situation.

Most will just use the 30 days given doing absolutely nothing but laying on the bunk doing diddly-squat.  Since another service they is provide case management would it not make sense for all shelter users to be case managed?  Would it not make more sense for these same people to be required to show proof of job search with the first 7 days?  Those who choose not to use the service for what it is intended can be bounced out giving others a chance to actually use the services correctly.

Some will tell me I am entirely too cold hearted or have no room to speak since I am doing little to change my situation.  Before you consider that line of thinking consider this,  I have never used their services or any others simular to them.  As far as me being cold hearted I would be more willing to say I am a realist.  If you truely want to find a way off the street great otherwise do not waste the money and resources of those who would like to help you.

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Central City Concern.
These people just piss me off for one simple reason. They lie.
Provided is an excerpt from their website to tell you of just how wonderful they are.

Employment
CCC provides practical resources and tailored programs to help an individual attain meaningful employment.  Staff takes a creative and personal approach to build skills and increase the potential for success.

Unfortunately they leave out just a couple of important facts as to who these employment opportunaties are offered to.
1. Senior Citizens
2. Veterans
3. Recovering heroin users
4. Recovering meth users
5. Recovering alcoholics
6. Parolees

I fully appreciate helping out seniors and veterans but the others leave me scratching my head.  I had decided to check into their employment services and found I did not fit into any of these catagories.  Unfortunately I had to sit through a 2 hour orientation just to find out they had nothing for me.  Why not say this up front instead of waiting till the end of a 2 hour meeting to drop this “little” fact on me.

If this is a stupid question please tell me how so because I really don’t understand what the hell is going on.
Why is it that abherant behavior such as substance abuse is rewarded yet keeping clean gets me nothing?
If somebody could explain this in plain english I would really appreciate it.

Sincerely,
Pdxurbanoutdoorsman.

Why do Portland Patrol and the Portland Police Dept. choose to wait until a situation has spun out of control before doing anything?

Under the Hawthorne Bridge had been quiet, clean and without any troubles for quite a while.  That changed about two weeks ago when the usual dumbass “street families” started showing up.  When they first showed up Portland Patrol and PPD made regular appearances but did nothing about the noise, fighting and mess being left behind.  Knowing most of these “family” members have been involved with the law before I am unable to figure out why PPD chose not to at least do warrant checks on these people which would more than likely scared off the rest.  I may be wrong but an Officer does have the right to ask for ID without cause.  Had this been done on a regular basis I would not have to listen to these same Officers telling me they are sorry because they know I’m not a trouble maker but everybody must move on. 

PPD and Portland Patrol are about as useful as a sack of wet hair when it comes to dealing with this sort of problem.

Sincerely,
Pdxurbanoutdoorsman

addendum:
When PPD or Portlad Patrol does come by and clear me out of there I will have some questions that I am willing to say will leave them with no answer.
Why are they sweeping an area with no problems when they allow what could only be discribed as a zoo under the Burnside bridge?
Why do they allow meth, crack and drinking under the Burnside bridge?
And why would they allow these things to occur for months on end without confronting the issue?

I hear City officials complaining about how troublesome the homeless population is as if that blanket statement is accurate. Tell your damn police to enforce what is directly under their noses.  Or could it be keeping these people under the  Burnside bridge, highly visible makes it easier to sell the blanket statement?

Whatever the case I really doubt anything I would have to say would carry any kind of weight with these mental midgets who have been elected to run this city. To them I have but one thing to say.

Too subtle?

This lifestye affords many freedoms such as the freedom from worrying about rent, utility bills and so on.  Along with the freedoms comes the loss of others.  I am unable to just sit back and enjoy an occassional beer without the worry of receiving a ticket for drinking in public.  Another example would be the ability to take a nap when I choose.

Don’t think for one moment I am complaining about this, it is something I have learned to accept  and understand.  I just wish others out here would understand this simple fact.  I have lost count of how many times I have heard people bitching about this.  I generally make a habit of asking those who make these complaints some questions that point out how they placed them self in the situation of receiving a ticket for an offense.  One example would be somebody having been ticketed for drinking in a public place.

1. Did you know it is an offense that could get you a ticket ? – - Yes
2. Were you drinking in the park? – - Yes
3. Do you understand cause and effect? – - Yes

While this does not make them happy they seem to get the idea.
Do I expect they will not complain about such problems in the future?  Of course not but at least they will not bother me with that kind of crap in the future.

Sincerely,
Pdxurbanoutdoorsman

Since starting this blog I have received four comments asking what can be done for me personally.  This has never been about personal gain but a glimpse through the eyes of one who lives on the street.

If people really want to help me visit the following websites and consider making a contribution inthe name of Pdxurbanoutdoorsman.

Julia West House
Home PDX
Blanchet House

If making a contribution is not an option I suggest contacting homeless service providers in your area and donating your time, food and/or clothing.

Sincerely,
Pdxurbanoutdoorsman