Homelessness Benefits Broward

By Sylvester “Nunnie” Robinson

     The subject of this story sounds as asinine and ridiculous as our misguided, punitive governor’s pernicious assertion that slavery benefited Black people. As I travel through out Broward County performing mundane tasks, homelessness is the existential crisis impossible to ignore. On practically every major intersection in Broward, panhandling persists and homelessness is pervasive. I routinely in the past transported a friend to the tri-rail station just south of Broward Blvd., then used the access road to I-95 to return home. Each time under the overpass the proliferation of homeless encampments became more apparent.

As I turned left pass the Juvenile Detention Center, I noticed more homeless sites on the northwest side, visibility unobscured. The problem exists wherever there is an empty or abandoned building but more often than not outside of  buildings where businesses are fully operational. It occurs in downtown Ft. Lauderdale, under 95 overpasses, behind banks, service stations, Family Dollars, abandoned homes/properties,  anywhere shelter and temporary relief from the elements can be found. As our state has increased in popularity and population,  so have the vagrants and homeless. I don’t know how impactful race is in this equation as drug addiction, alcoholism, joblessness and mental impairment are no respecter of color. However, it is an increasing, invasive crisis on society that can no longer be ignored. How do you react personally when confronted by by panhandlers or when you see the poor, vulnerable homeless endeavoring to survive daily? Who’s ultimately responsible for solving the problem, are there any viable solutions and what approach would you take? Politicians and political parties  blame each other, using the issues as fodder for their base, though republicans are much more insidious in their willful disregard for findings solutions to any problems when they’re not in power. Is it the responsibility of county or city government officials, Department of Transportation, local impacted municipalities or individual communities and citizens?

  I compare the homeless issue to climate change: ignoring it won’t make it go away or solve problem. Rhetorically speaking, is it just a local or state problem? Absolutely not! It is a national and global problem that demands a solution, not blame. America is a great country that can overcome any problem or threat if we have the collective, universal  will.

Sorry, I digressed. Regarding the homeless encampment at the I-95 access road between the tri-rail building and the JDC, following is a concerned citizen’s perspective: There is a major public safety health issue due to the proliferation of overflowing trash cans and garbage bags throughout the parking lot located near the I-95 access road adjacent to the tri-rail station in Broward. Also disease infested rats  run rampantly near your feet undeterred by human traffic. The Broward Park & Ride service provides a major bus stop for public transportation, including greyhound, flexes, and other bus services. As a frequent traveler in the bus stop  area, how much am I suppose to tolerate. Walking through filth and debris along the route just to reach my destination is a nightmare, a public health concern and a nuisance. The parking lot  is void of security to protect customers and property from the large, homeless community living in the parking lot. The condition of the area is unacceptable in the northwest area of Fort Lauderdale. The Florida Department of Transportation was contacted several times this year with no results, explaining that the public issue in the Broward park and ride space isn’t their responsibility.   So who is responsible for the citizens affected by this unseemly circumstance. Customers walking from the tri-rail station to bus stop must walk through trash and garbage bags daily. The reply stated the FDOT: It’s not our responsibility. It’s under the maintenance plan which is under construction. I discussed the issue with several FHP officers who frequently sit in the parking lot. Their matter of fact response: it would be reported to their supervisors, but it’s really not their problem . I contacted the Florida Highway Patrol personally,  only to be rebuffed , pushed away, stating that it was not their problem. If the safety of the Florida citizens is not  the concern of our public officials, then where do we turn? I then contacted Greyhound which advised that they were not responsible for the parking lot. The area is loaded with homeless camps. I completely understand that homeless have rights and need living areas. I’m only asking someone to protect the community from unintended consequences,  outbreaks or infectious diseases resulting from abject neglect.  The responsibility has to be owned by someone. It appears that no one is concerned about the safety of the underprivileged and lower class citizens. The commuting public deserves redress as do the suffering poor. One thing is crystal clear: the problems can’t be ignored.

     That is one citizen’s perspective, which in all probability, will be affirmed by many.

Lastly, when I finally checked, action to remove the homeless from that location had begun. I personally witnessed the transformation. My question: where will they go, what abode offered temporary relief and refuge and what about the next time, which is just a matter of time.

As a society, we are expert at finding fault and blame. Let’s become experts at solving problems so that those coming behind us will be pleased and proud, not victims of our division and petty differences.

In addition to the lives impacted by homelessness, serious public health concerns, violence and sexual abuses perpetrated against women, public nuisances, eyesores, lack of affordable housing, and  access to  health care services are consequential derivatives of homelessness. What do you think, Mr. & Mrs. voting public?