Here in Portland is a place called Sisters of the Road Cafe which offers many services but it’s main attraction is is the Cafe. Here is a quote from their site regarding the cafe and how it operates.
Meals at Sisters Of The Road cost $1.25 and can be paid for in many ways, including: cash, barter work and food stamps. Meals are served with hospitality and a smile. There is always a choice of at least two hot, delicious and nutritious entrees and always a vegetarian option.
Recently they have run into the same problem many other service providers have experienced with IV drug users leaving used needles around and drug sales just outside the front door. Their method for dealing with the problem is unique if not moronic. Starting today they are closing their doors for a period of four weeks with the intent of holding a “customer forum” to figure out just how to fix the problem. In a touchy feely way this sounds wonderful until you really examine this concept.
I will break this down into just why I think they have chosen this way to deal with the problem. I’m of the impression this choice was made to provide their customers a sense of “ownership”. This ownership concept already exists with the ability to volunteer in a number of capacities.
Exactly why the staff will not step up and deal with the problem is beyond logic if you ask me. They are placing themselves into a position where they do not have to make any kind of decisions that could be seen as unpopular. As best as I can see this makes them nothing more than food service workers. If this is the case Sisters should hire from within the homeless population since there are many with food service experience who could do the job just as well if not better.
How I would address the problem.
1. Those who have created the problem should be excluded from receiving services of ANY kind. Not all are deserving of the help being provided. There are plenty of other places to get a meal so nobody will starve.
2. Make those who choose to sell infront of the Cafe uncomfortable through the use of either digital cameras or cameras mounted to the building. The last thing a dealer wants is to be photographed.
3. Start calling the police about drug sales. Dealers and their customers will take their business elsewhere quickly.
See how easy that was? Three simple steps and they do not have to close their doors to the community they claim to be helping.
Does this make me a genius?
Sincerely
Pdxurbanoutdoorsman