WHY???

Like the 14 year old is complaining about having sex 100's of times. 
As to the question of why......the same reason a dog licks his balls...because he can.

I have stopped giving out money /food to the ones who beg around Monterey and Carmel.It bothers me and I feel like helping them out still,but I started to notice that the pan handlers are a rougher and rougher crowd and that they are growing in numbers. The reasons are many for the increase in numbers of homeless folks taking the druggy free ride,but for me, I think that the 3 bucks and a water I used to hand out or the like,was part of the problem.I started to feel that if I ,along with whoever else, hands them that today, then I have ,in a way ,cushioned their fall and stopped the ability for them to seek real services or comply with those services sobriety requirements etc...
It really bugs me to see someone who for sure is mentally challenged or worse yet insane....standing there looking cold/sad/hungry---I may go back to giving select folks some food or money but if my doing that ads to the growing free ride and crime wave than I am in the wrong....
The ones down by wharf 2 have never touched my stuff...I unload...set up all my gear and drag it to the high water mark,while they watch,then jump in my car and move it-maybe even hit micky d's and walk back from parking spot 1/4 mile...all of my stuff is always as I left it...

it is way out of hand..I drive past the four way light  by Carmel crossroads every morning on my way to work past point lobos...the same folks with the same dogs ...working in shifts... then new ones for a week or so,week later the old ones are back...dogs...girls...guitars..having a good old thumb your nose at the poor working jerk,,,.I get to see them go to their cars and vans after a shift with the dog and girlfriend with them...jump in and head back to big sur with a 12 pack...they pretty much look like those folks in the mugshots....people give them money all day...and so they will be there always...all day

last one..

when I'm out otw in monterey I hear the sirens all day every half hour...half the time i'm in monterey downtown I see the fire truck-two cop cars-an ambulance and 6-12 high paid first responders gathered around some poor soul on the sidewalk who is having some issue or got smacked in the face with a bottle etc...That constant calls on the services of the city has got to be nice for the departments log book to show how we need more $$$$$...but really a couple of well trained social workers in a mini van could do 75% of those calls...a fire truck??? cause the dude is drunk and wont get up...a fire truck...who pays for these calls all day and night...

Last week I gave a homeless guy 5 bucks and a Capri Sun, while waiting for the light in front of Home Depot in Seaside. It felt pretty good. I was kinda proud of myself. Then he says "Thanks I need to buy more dogfood" and I notice his 2 dogs sitting patiently. THEN he pulls out a cellphone and begins to make a call! I couldn't wait for that light to turn green...drove away like WTF just happened?!

WTF just happened is he got the fiver from you and called his dealer most likely...
Nah I'm just being devils advocate. That was big of you. I drop a bill every once in a while but a fiver is generosity. 

last one..

when I'm out otw in monterey I hear the sirens all day every half hour...half the time i'm in monterey downtown I see the fire truck-two cop cars-an ambulance and 6-12 high paid first responders gathered around some poor soul on the sidewalk who is having some issue or got smacked in the face with a bottle etc...That constant calls on the services of the city has got to be nice for the departments log book to show how we need more $$$$$...but really a couple of well trained social workers in a mini van could do 75% of those calls...a fire truck??? cause the dude is drunk and wont get up...a fire truck...who pays for these calls all day and night...

"6-12 first responders gathered around some poor soul who is having an issue or won't get up." That sounds like a "man down" to me. I've never seen 6-12 people dispatched to a man down call. Anyway, who are you to triage emergencies? How do you know the person is drunk? What kind of issue are they having? How do you know it's not a life threatening medical issue? How do you know they aren't diabetic? How do you know they aren't having a stroke? The symptoms can be strikingly similar. You better pray you don't have a stroke while you're walking around downtown Monterey and a couple of fucking social workers in a van show up. Fire trucks carry paramedics. Paramedics who know how to tell the difference between someone who is intoxicated, or having a medical issue. Paramedics who can treat everything from an arrhythmia to a stroke. Maybe you don't drink, maybe you've never seen someone who is suffering from alcohol poisoning. That's not something a couple social workers in a van should handle. If the person is indeed drunk, why would you not want a couple cops there? Drunks can be combative, drunk people can carry weapons. Who do you want to approach a drunk person with a weapon? Or a drunk person who has just been attacked? A social worker? Good luck with that shit. I think a cop is best suited to handle that. Social work comes way later. Who pays for emergency services? People who pay property taxes do. Emergency services are a bargain when compared to other "insurance policies". Yes, they are insurance policies. You don't always use your dental insurance, but you still have it, don't you? Same thing with emergency services. Good thing they are there for you, ready to bring the same level of care to every incident 24/7 whether it is a legit medical emergency or when some yahoo "thinks" you're "having some issue". I could go on a lot longer about why "a couple social workers in a mini van" is the stupidest thing I've read in 2014, but I already have a headache.

I tried to give one of the homeless guys in Monterey a bottle if water & some granola bars after a PIF event.  He threw em down & told me he just wanted money.  That did it for me.

We have a couple guys who work the same spot in Watsonville by Target.  Seems like they have a schedule posted or something.  Again, one had a cell phone & the other gas a nice looking laptop but needs money.

My mom helped out a lady a couple weeks ago who got a flat by our driveway.  She spent a couple hours driving her around to get help & a spare tire.  Gave her some money to help her out with buying a used tire.  Good deed.  Now this lady shows up here asking for money.  Just gotta say no!  Tough when an act of kindness becomes a life of dependency.

There is help out there for those who need it & want it.

The problem here is the people who enable the begging. If everyone stopped giving these people money directly and gave to local church or group who help these people get off the streets. Why should these people work, Why shouldn't they beg. I have watched many times people stop and give a dollar or two some times 5 to 10 dollars. Besides being tax free disposable money. That helps for a few minuets I see the same people day after day at the same place. Did the money collected that day before help or hurt the situation. If you want these people to get real help DON'T GIVE THEM MONEY. Give then a small snack and that is all. Cash donations to them makes the problem worse. And if you give them money then complain there is a problem, why is this not being fixed. Look in the Mirror you are the problem   

Excellent rant Jeff! I give the homeless money all the time. 

Damn hippies....

last one..

when I'm out otw in monterey I hear the sirens all day every half hour...half the time i'm in monterey downtown I see the fire truck-two cop cars-an ambulance and 6-12 high paid first responders gathered around some poor soul on the sidewalk who is having some issue or got smacked in the face with a bottle etc...That constant calls on the services of the city has got to be nice for the departments log book to show how we need more $$$$$...but really a couple of well trained social workers in a mini van could do 75% of those calls...a fire truck??? cause the dude is drunk and wont get up...a fire truck...who pays for these calls all day and night...

"6-12 first responders gathered around some poor soul who is having an issue or won't get up." That sounds like a "man down" to me. I've never seen 6-12 people dispatched to a man down call. Anyway, who are you to triage emergencies? How do you know the person is drunk? What kind of issue are they having? How do you know it's not a life threatening medical issue? How do you know they aren't diabetic? How do you know they aren't having a stroke? The symptoms can be strikingly similar. You better pray you don't have a stroke while you're walking around downtown Monterey and a couple of fucking social workers in a van show up. Fire trucks carry paramedics. Paramedics who know how to tell the difference between someone who is intoxicated, or having a medical issue. Paramedics who can treat everything from an arrhythmia to a stroke. Maybe you don't drink, maybe you've never seen someone who is suffering from alcohol poisoning. That's not something a couple social workers in a van should handle. If the person is indeed drunk, why would you not want a couple cops there? Drunks can be combative, drunk people can carry weapons. Who do you want to approach a drunk person with a weapon? Or a drunk person who has just been attacked? A social worker? Good luck with that shit. I think a cop is best suited to handle that. Social work comes way later. Who pays for emergency services? People who pay property taxes do. Emergency services are a bargain when compared to other "insurance policies". Yes, they are insurance policies. You don't always use your dental insurance, but you still have it, don't you? Same thing with emergency services. Good thing they are there for you, ready to bring the same level of care to every incident 24/7 whether it is a legit medical emergency or when some yahoo "thinks" you're "having some issue". I could go on a lot longer about why "a couple social workers in a mini van" is the stupidest thing I've read in 2014, but I already have a headache.

Right on Jeffo!!!  and I hear ya  Trianglelaguna,  but the problem is not the your First Responders, were just the ones who get the Lovely job of cleaning up that mess….

Imagine if you will…

You are on the "Box"..  16th and Mission…  12 noon…  lots of people and social workers walking around, hell it's a bart station…

You get the call for the " Ill Male ",  it's 16th and mission…  " Uh,  your going to have to Narrow that down a bit dispatch, we got a Plethora of ill males here, …"….  " White male in a wheel chair.."   "Copy, we got him,  on scene…"   (Just two guys and one ambulance to handle this oh BTW…)

You pull up to a Obvious homeless white male in a wheel chair, 60ish,  wild hair and beard that you know is housing small mammals,  as You exit the MICU,  the overwhelming smell of piss, shit, old and new and if not mistaken, gangrene,,,,  if you have ever smelled gangrene,  basically rotting, pussy green, brown black Flesh, and Oh My God a smell that will stop a truck and too much will positivity empty your stomach contents…

Why is this man sitting in his own piss, shit, and chocked full of medical and mental problems? You don't know, You just know your in the back with this guy as you drove last call...

It's all Yours and You get to package this up,  write it up and be sure not to Fuck It up or maybe that very call can come back home and bite ya in the ass disciplinary wise or even sued… 

and now You get to sell it to the Emergency Room like a used car, hope they buy and don't give ya too much shit for the S$#T Bum ya just brought them….

  Glorified Life those well paid public service workers live…


But I hear Trianglelaguna,  I have worked busy systems for close to 30 years,  easy,  fucking easy…  50% or more,  especially down towns…  most of my fucking calls… Street Scene, 6th and Market, Tenderloin type F-ing gross smelly sh!t..  work a code on some of this stuff, I love the Tenderloin one room codes, you basically stick to the floor,  up close and personal…  I used to carry high strength cortisone cream and apply generously to all the things that would be growing on me from time to time…   

 But here's a fact,,,  couple social workers and a van man,    ain't gonna cut it…   

San Francisco has tried to do things to at least lesson the impact of what this does to your emergency room situation.  Imagine your in a life and death situation in the back of a ambulance, and you can not go to your hospital of choice as it's impacted by a homeless, addition, mental health problem…

The Gurney Garage was great and the " Bum Sweep…"…  Imagine if you will…

Your back in your ambulance, posting 16th and Castro,  ( your partners gay and as well as most the work force and that's the post by majority rule.. not that there's anything wrong with that… really,  just part of the fun… " I love a man in Uniform…"  "Wow, never heard that one before, get original Honey …"  OK,  I digress     ) 

  after your adventure with the "Toxic wheel chair Man…"

  SF Dispatch comes up…  " Paramedic 920, ( Me  ),  ready for a " Sweep ? "   

    "F$##@!..

A sweep is 3 to 4 street people have been by pay phones dialing 911 for a hour or more with all kinds of complaints, but basically need detox and that starts at the ER,  but of course takes a back seat to GSW, not breathing etc,,,  so Your job is to pick up 3 to 4 drunken street people who can't get drunk anymore and are very frustrated by that, so they call you.  You need to do a proper assessment, paper work and run them up to the "General", SF that is….

You've already given report over the radio and triaged to the " Gurney Garage…"  A large over hang outside as you enter the ER and drop off your prizes on the 18 or so hosp beds lined up like there on a air craft carrier.  That worked pretty well but one person died out there, so there goes that...

I've been out of SF for 20 years, but back then there was MAP, Moble assistance program or something,  but still if the person can't stand, walk just at least "3 Steps",  A/O x something ,,,  they get a ride to the ER by ambulance..

The Best was " Mission Rock", down where ATT Park is now…  A Fucking Warehouse of cots and homeless and if you went to a call there, you were truly Fucked..  it would turn into a MCI, ( Multi-casualty Incident ),  no casualties really, and this is where your Van Man  and a couple social workers would work, but any who … do gooding ACLU put a end to that as it was " In Human…" to which I agree, but better than the street…

No matter what system is out there,  your going to need trained, caring professionals to take care of this problem,  for now, That's Your First Responders… With their Big fancy Truck...

 But panhandling … You had better be a 70 y/o plus female with Spodilousis Back curvature that would make a snake jealous to get a dollar out me,  what's my reply as these Young Urban Campers ask me for….
                                                                                                " Spare Change…"    says the Snaggle Tooth Mother Fucker... 

                  My Reaction…   

       " Uh , no Man,  never heard of spare money…"         " Uh, No man,  Just Large Bills… " 

        " And I'll tell ya, if Some wild Hair green Monster grabs the back of your favorite head and slams it against the bar room wall and ask you if you paid your dues…?

 " Well you just Look that Bastard right back in the eye and say… "  Have I paid my Dues…?

 " Yes Sir The Check is in the Mail….  "   

 Quote: Jack Burton, 1981,  Big Trouble Little China, Hollywood, CA.

How's that Rant Craig?   

yawn...scratch scratch..fart...yawn....sip of coffee....

omg....okay okay....then put three social workers in the van, but then where would the guy/gals two dogs ride......okay okay I get it..maybe the minvan wont work...heck you could even give the guy a 20 spot and those dire e.r needs would vanish...20 bucks and pack of smokes vs...calling the the whole precinct out...how do like that one...next

last one..

when I'm out otw in monterey I hear the sirens all day every half hour...half the time i'm in monterey downtown I see the fire truck-two cop cars-an ambulance and 6-12 high paid first responders gathered around some poor soul on the sidewalk who is having some issue or got smacked in the face with a bottle etc...That constant calls on the services of the city has got to be nice for the departments log book to show how we need more $$$$$...but really a couple of well trained social workers in a mini van could do 75% of those calls...a fire truck??? cause the dude is drunk and wont get up...a fire truck...who pays for these calls all day and night...

"6-12 first responders gathered around some poor soul who is having an issue or won't get up." That sounds like a "man down" to me. I've never seen 6-12 people dispatched to a man down call. Anyway, who are you to triage emergencies? How do you know the person is drunk? What kind of issue are they having? How do you know it's not a life threatening medical issue? How do you know they aren't diabetic? How do you know they aren't having a stroke? The symptoms can be strikingly similar. You better pray you don't have a stroke while you're walking around downtown Monterey and a couple of fucking social workers in a van show up. Fire trucks carry paramedics. Paramedics who know how to tell the difference between someone who is intoxicated, or having a medical issue. Paramedics who can treat everything from an arrhythmia to a stroke. Maybe you don't drink, maybe you've never seen someone who is suffering from alcohol poisoning. That's not something a couple social workers in a van should handle. If the person is indeed drunk, why would you not want a couple cops there? Drunks can be combative, drunk people can carry weapons. Who do you want to approach a drunk person with a weapon? Or a drunk person who has just been attacked? A social worker? Good luck with that shit. I think a cop is best suited to handle that. Social work comes way later. Who pays for emergency services? People who pay property taxes do. Emergency services are a bargain when compared to other "insurance policies". Yes, they are insurance policies. You don't always use your dental insurance, but you still have it, don't you? Same thing with emergency services. Good thing they are there for you, ready to bring the same level of care to every incident 24/7 whether it is a legit medical emergency or when some yahoo "thinks" you're "having some issue". I could go on a lot longer about why "a couple social workers in a mini van" is the stupidest thing I've read in 2014, but I already have a headache.

great points you guys make  and great picture of the cart...I was not trying to ----- with you guys who do that work and did not think my rant would draw the heat it did...but...thats cool...I like to read this stuff when it gets going...to me it is a real chit chat ,or else why would folks have such passion and type SO much to express those ideas and passions...but I do hope you guys will be my kayak friends and not start to hate on me
peace
Craig