Sunday, July 05, 2009
Homelessness is not a crime
Joy Sylvester-Johnson
Sylvester-Johnson is the CEO of the Rescue Mission in Roanoke.
Re: "Rescue Mission draws criminals," June 30 letter:
I agree with Rusty Baker about many things.
People who use, sell or distribute illegal drugs or who are chronically drunk in public are committing criminal acts. Those who trespass on private property, panhandle on public sidewalks, litter or block access to pedestrians or vehicles in public traffic areas are also committing criminal acts.
People who commit criminal acts should be arrested, tried in a court with adequate legal representation and -- if convicted -- sentenced appropriately.
The man identified as a "transient" and arrested on June 23 for breaking the law was not a resident of the Rescue Mission. On that particular day, 288 other people found safe shelter at the Rescue Mission. These men, women and children (there were 36 children) did receive not only free food and shelter, but also medical attention, clothing, education and sound counsel regarding jobs, housing, education and child care.
These are difficult days for all of us not only economically, but psychologically and spiritually as well. It is not surprising that, in frustration, we are tempted to look for something or someone to blame for our own increasing discomfort. But I would caution all of us to think carefully before we assign blame to any one group of people.
Families who have never been homeless before are filling shelter beds -- not just in Roanoke, but all over America. An unprecedented unemployment rate, a major recession, a mortgage crisis and the high cost of health care are just a few of the reasons why some of these people are newly homeless. The newest people in line never thought they would be homeless -- but they are.
I would encourage everyone (especially Baker) to come to the mission and meet some of the 400 people who will get help here today. Listen as they tell their stories. I find most of these folks to be incredibly courageous, resilient and hopeful in the face of real loss, tragedy and crisis.
Is there a criminal among them? Perhaps. There are criminals in every neighborhood, every profession and in every economic group, so it is not surprising that the homeless as a group may include some criminals too.
On the day the "transient" was arrested, 31 other arrests were made in Roanoke. I suspect those arrested were of various genders, colors, ethnicities and professions and were representative of all socio/political/economic groups. Some had jobs. Some had homes. Some had prestige and power. They were not all alike, but they all had one thing in common: They had been accused of breaking the law.
Criminals are people who break the law.
Is everyone who seeks help at the Rescue Mission perfect?
No; in fact, not even one of them is perfect. But they are not criminals, either.
It might be good for all of us to remember that it is not a crime to be poor. It is not a crime to be homeless. It is not a crime to be unemployed. And it is not a crime to be sick.
Not helping the poor, the homeless, the unemployed or the sick -- in my heart and mind -- would be criminal.
