Posted on Thursday, 5/21/2009 - 1:23 p.m. PDT — by Julia Robertson
I better than anyone realize that there is a problem with the homeless in Pittsburg but we need to address the problem not try to send it to another city. I have been a Pittsburg resident since 1971 and now I am homeless, many know me as the woman with the sign at Wal Mart. I am continually harassed by the police just walking down the street Yesterday I had a motorcycle cop tell me that he's going to follow me around I am constantly told to go to Concord or to go to Antioch by these officers. NO I am not they're problem I am Pittsburg's problem we need to figure out how to end (or at least deal with) homelessness in Pittsburg by Pittsburg’s government not Concord’s or Antioch Which by the way Antioch has several hot meal programs Pittsburg NONE. Altho, Will, at St Vincent De Paul is trying to start but is running up against the city being against it. I am not going away when I had a home I lived in Pittsburg and without a home I live in Pittsburg. And if PPD doesn’t have anything else to do (I find that hard to believe) but follow me well, have fun sir. HOW would we like it if they sent us (Concord and Antioch ) sent us they’re homeless????????????? I may have to sleep on a piece of carpet but I can’t be swept under the carpet.
Joined: May 2009
Current Posts: 10
Big thombs up for the Pittsburg PD get these people out fo here,the PD has done an excellent job in my neihborhood.Thanks..
Joined: Jan 2009
Current Posts: 55
You need to look and see who the new homeless people really are! People who have lost good jobs, who were once tax paying citizens of Pittsburg. Not sure what your status my be at this time ticoyote, but my prayer is that bad luck don't hit close to you or your home. I have a lot of respect for the Pittsburg P.D. but I hope I don't see them and I doubt they do pick on homless people. If I had to guess it was Wal Mart who ask the P.D. to have the sign lady removed from the area. I don't like Wal they are money hungry and don't know how to treat thier employees or customers.
Joined: Aug 2006
Current Posts: 78
I am a home owner, registered voter, and good person.
I was laid off from my job in mid April and looking at very bleak prospects for finding a new one any time soon. Last June my husband's work hours were cut to 20 hours per week. Up until April of this year while I was employed we struggled to meet our financial obligations and had to filed for bankruptcy, something I never imagined. Now I am again trying to meet my financial responsibilities and again we struggle.
Believe me when I say when I see the Julia and others the 1st think that comes to my mind is how much longer till that is me? I always say to myself, there before the grace of God go I .
With state of our Nation's economy in such chaos and things looking even more desparate with the State of CA I feel we should show tolerance not hate. We should show charity not riducule. Julia I see you out there and I pray for you that things improve. I hope you always have a home here in Pittsburg. I don't see you as a blight on our town. I wish we could offer more help to you. I am sorry to hear there is no services here. I may soon know this myself.
Believe me when I say to the rest who would prefer she go away....there but for the grace of God go you.
Joined: Apr 2009
Current Posts: 25
Good post Julia. Thank you for sharing your experience. You are obviously a bright and literate person and I wish you the best of luck in finding a solution to your ordeal. Far too many of us are living close to the edge and are just one or two small calamities away from the same consequences you now face. Some homeless people are hopelessly addicted to alcohol or drugs, but more and more people --educated people who are capable of working and contributing-- are finding themselves out on the street. It's just terrible.
Joined: Nov 2008
Current Posts: 7
I thank those of you that understand my situation and for those who don't well God does have a way of teaching us lessons. Before I lost my job and my home I usec to tell those who asked me for change to get a job and earn thier money like me. Well God has sure taught me hasn't he. I won't be so quick to judge when I am out of this experience, and back living indoors. We're not all drunks and druggies and most of us had jobs homes kids and the American dream once. But the PPD does in fact harrass the homeless, as a matter of fact when I left the college (that is where I get internet access) the same officer on the motorcycle told me again that he was going to follow me around so I could not hold my sign. I thank you again and pray that you never have to experience my hell.
Joined: Jan 2009
Current Posts: 55
As one who requested the City Council not to cut police officers jobs, is was for the safety of all citizens not to harrass people. There are people out there breaking laws and that's where the PD energy should be focused. Chasing someone trying to get something to eat is not breaking a law, but there should be a law to prevent homeless in America, shame on you who has no compassion for others. I think I understand if you are not the person who is homeless or a senior citizen in this city it's not a problem. But the momment you need help then we've got a problem. So let me remind everyone who has everything going their way. You are one earthquake, fire, or loss of a job away from being homeless. Learn to love, and help out where you can, while you can, do all you can. I don't normally give out money, but I will buy someone in need a meal, a coat, a pair of shoes. Julia I will help when and where I can, you hang in there things are going to change, have faith and trust in God.
Joined: May 2009
Current Posts: 10
I understand what you mean,but standing infront of a store asking for money is not the solution as I see the way you express your self you're well educated and you can find a job easy.PLease don't tell me you can! there's a lot of people out there that come from other countries(don't speak English,have leagal documents,relatives to help and they still find work) I respect you but you're not trying hard enough to find work that's the bottom line,i'm sorry..
Joined: Mar 2009
Current Posts: 6
I doubt "Julia" stands on Wal-Mart property, they wouldnt allow it on their property. More likely she is one of the many homeless that stand on the narrow center median of Loveridge Road in front of the Taco Bell and Wal-Mart. I drive for a living and drive by that location several times a day and constantly see a female (probably her) or two males standing there with a sign asking for money. I have almost hit them at times because when they see an approaching police car, they dart across the lanes of traffic to get back to the sidewalk. While stopped at red lights at the intersection, I've heard numerous cops tell her (and the others) to stay off of the medium which is only about a foot wide.
These people have been warned lots of times to stay out of the roadway and off the medium but they ignore the warnings and are back out there the second the cop drives away. No wonder the cops are getting irritated. They are the ones who will have hours and hours of paperwork when one of these beggers get hit by a car they jump in front of. If they stayed out of the road and off the median they wouldnt be "harassed" by the cops. If it was me I'd write a ticket every time I saw one of the homeless standing in the roadway begging. I do have compassion for homeless but standing in the middle of a street ignoring the cops request doesnt get my sympathy. If they can stand in the middle of the street holding a sign asking for money then they can get a job making minimum wage waving a sign advertising for a company that you see all over.
I see some homeless people that are actually aggresive and try to intimidate people. And some I see begging for money (all over, not just Pittsburg), are the same ones I see a few hours later staggering down the street with a 40 oz beer in their hand. Most homeless I've seen dont make an effort to help themselves out of their situation, they just want a free ride or to make enough to get high. For the homeless who want to help themselves out of their situation, the center median isnt the place to find the answer.
Joined: Jan 2009
Current Posts: 55
One should never give out money, offer them something to eat, giving them money add to the problem if they have a drinking or drug problem. But being homeless has become a real problem in America, thousands of people have lost jobs and thousands more will loose jobs, I agree if with you, if I was in need, I would take the first job I could get, but lets not forget some people did not expect to fall on these hard times not all are using drugs or drinking themselves to death, let face it's a sickness, in a town that has no treatment centers, or programs to help. I choose to help where I can, that's offer them something to eat and Ministering to the ones who will listen. Many choose to sit back and point finers at these people, but put yourself in the place of the people who walked in to their place of work only to be told to pack up and leave the same day. Everyone who can help should help when while they can. " To those who have been given much, much will be demanded, and to the ones who have entrusted with much, more much more will be asked".
Joined: May 2009
Current Posts: 2
While I feel for Julia's plight. I have some problems with her feeling on the police. To her own admission Pittsburg doesnt have a hot meal program. I would be also willing to bet they dont have a homeless shelter or at least not one that is of a decent size. With that being said. Staying in a town just becuase you lived there is a silly reason. If I was homeless I would go to wherever I could get the most assistance and get back on my feet. Her constant begging is obviously not doing her any good. Julia, I am from San Pablo..born and raised if I was to become homeless I would not return there. I would head to the city best suited to help me reenter society. I suggest you quit using the time on the computer to complain about the police and how they arent gonna move you, but use the time to find place that will help you.
Joined: Sep 2005
Current Posts: 5
If I was homeless I would go to wherever I could get the most assistance and get back on my feet...
Just wondering how you think she is going to get there?
My son has been homeless for almost a year now. He lost his job and his girlfriend kicked him out for the welfare check she could get if he wasn't there. His stepfather, my husband, thinks there are jobs for the taking, "if you just look". I lost my job six months ago. We have both been looking and sending resumes. No luck.
What I have discovered is there are no homeless shelters in the Pittsburg area that are not full of women and children. There are few resources for the homeless at all in this area. A couple of foodbanks is about it and if you have no where to cook......
If someone has a suggestion where to find a job or a place to stay, please advise. If you don't, try to refrain from putting down those who are doing what they can to survive.
As for the Walmart beggers, apparently they aren't too much of a problem to the Pittsburg Police because they are there daily. Walmart has done nothing to get the one old man out of their store or off their property.
I'm ready for an argument with anyone who thinks all the homeless are homeless because they don't want to work.
Joined: May 2009
Current Posts: 2
Hmmmmm how would I get there...lets see we have a bart system that virtually goes to ANY of the big city's around. Then there is the bus system...and if all else fails one can walk...it is not like Pittsburg is an Island with no way of leaving. I found it interesting that she was smart enough to go in and use the computer to complain, but cannot or will not find the time to look for assitance..and that doesnt mean looking for a job. It means you do searches for shelters and places that offer up assitance. In a city that was devistated by foreclosures and is in a crisis over its budget staying in the city and saying hey I lived here so now take care of me is irresponsible and well as stupid.
Joined: Dec 2008
Current Posts: 4
How could they get there? Ummm. How about BART!
Joined: May 2009
Current Posts: 10
You're so right, bolo1000 well said.
Joined: Aug 2008
Current Posts: 58
Those panhandlers at Walmart are pretty aggressive. Sometimes people even ask for money inside the restroom. If not for the savings, I would not go there. Check out Walmart.com. This week's rollback include a $256 HP netbook!