Editorially Speaking - <br>Winslow and the homeless who live among us

As I was typing the article about the Intoxicated Street People Task Force being created, I decided to take a break and go downtown to get a cup of hot cocoa.

I headed back to my office by cutting through the Winslow Police Station parking lot. On the way, a very sad sight caught my eye: there was a street person curled up in a ball lying right in front of the entryway of the police station.

I thought to myself, “Is this a cry for help or what?”

Yes, the guy was more than likely intoxicated, but I don’t believe he passed out in that particular spot by chance. I think he purposely put himself there, hoping someone would help him.

I first moved to Winslow almost three years ago. I was shocked the first time an intoxicated man who was asking for money or food in a parking lot immediately approached me.

Now, as time has passed, I do not even notice the street people. I have grown accustomed to them and their way of life.

I guess I choose not to see them because I feel sorry for them. I pity them, even though I know most, if not all, made a choice to live the life they lead.

My pity stems from a feeling that the town of Winslow has let them down by not providing much-needed resources.

Look around. Winslow doesn’t even have a daily soup kitchen or a shelter.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society does what it can (on their limited resources) by providing a hot lunch on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and a food box on Thursday.

I believe the street people are just as ashamed of themselves as we are of them. The sad part of the equation is that due to the life they lead, the motivation to get a job is not there.

I have a few hopes for the newly formed Intoxicated Street People Task Force:

I hope you can come up with real solutions to help the homeless here in Winslow, not just run them out of town.

I hope that money will not be an issue when coming up with solutions.

I attend Winslow City Council meetings twice a month and see how easily money can be distributed to different events and issues around our town. Helping this group of citizens should be just as important as any other.

Finally, I hope in another seven years, the City won’t be looking at this newly formed task force’s suggestions trying to tackle this issue all over again.

It’s time to make a difference!

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