Homeless say streets are not safe
November 13, 2010 at 1:26 PM
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - A stabbing early Saturday morning happened in the area of Bridge Street and East Columbus Avenue near some benches.
Springfield Police Lt. John Slepchuk said the man made his way towards Tower Square looking for help.
Just last Wednesday though, Springfield police arrested a homeless man for stabbing someone several times.
One man who is homeless told us he had to sleep on the street before but he would never choose to because he doesn’t feel safe.
The homeless man said, “Yo what's wrong with you, you know? So I was out for six days, I slept on the street for six days.”
James has been helped by Friends of the Homeless Shelter. He said it's when people are not going to the shelter when problems arise.
James said people feel safe at the shelter. “They have nothing to fear or nothing to be scared of, afraid of. Nobody comes and straight up robs anybody. If anyone gets anything taken it's because they're not doing the right thing here.”
Often times homeless people will go down to the river walk instead of the shelters to find somewhere somewhat comfortable to sleep.
Read the complete story or view video by clicking on: http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/local/hampden/Homeless-say-streets-are-not-safe
Kathy Tobin
After almost thirty years covering the news for television affiliates in Western Massachusetts, Kathy joined Friends of the Homeless in the fall of 2009 to help raise money and the profile of the organization to fulfill its mission. As Director of Development, Kathy is available to help you understand the work we are doing and how you might contribute to end homelessness in our community.