Bryant Park and the Homeless

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On Saturday, I drove down to Bryant Park right before Noon and unfortunately I missed the Homeless getting fed. There was a Lake Worth barber there donating his services and giving shaves to some very nice people who were clean and friendly. They were poor but still had their dignity.  Not all of the Homeless are addicted. One was a college graduate who had lost his job.

It was mentioned on Tuesday night that the three water fountains were taken out. The one behind the bandshell was reinstalled because of today's Triathlon. This is a photo of its filthy and disgusting condition that even your dog would not use.  Mike Bornstein said that we would be horrified about the conditions of equipment that staff deals with. Looking at this fountain that was just reinstalled, we agree.

It was also stated that benches were removed. We saw a few benches and no tables other than the ones made of cement where a few homeless were waiting for haircuts given by a caring citizen volunteer. Most all of the benches and tables were gone from this area. Commissioner Amoroso suggested that those of us who complain about the Homeless, find a solution, take them by the hand and get them off the street. I would suggest that this is not our job, although volunteers do what they can, but it is the city's job to arrive at solutions.

Tuesday night, one of the homeless, Ryan Hartman, from a group that attended the meeting, spoke about police harassment--if they sit down they get harassed--if they lay down, they get harassed. People clapped when he got through.  Vice Mayor Maxwell said, "No clapping." This commission tolerates residents personally attacking other residents but you can't clap when it is against the dais. This commission never follows its own Rules of Protocol so now a stupid blue card rule is singled out?   Sugar Bear asked if the commission was a "puppet" government hiding behind their cone of silence...who authorized the removal of the drinking fountains and benches?

Commissioner Ryan Maier used to work for the Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County, working closely with Glen Torcivia our city attorney, and understands what a serious issue it is. The city is looking to get the Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County here in Lake Worth perhaps in January or February to inform everyone what their organization can do to help and the benefits that they can provide.