by “Blanche Belvidere”
I’ve got a bottle of 19 Crimes wine with Snoop Dog staring at me, which will pair perfectly with the screaming-meemies I’ve developed over the past ten days.
I’m in a perpetual state of agita, and I’m considering getting a pacemaker. Lordy! Have you watched the news?
Yeah, so the State’s EA Shelter system has reached capacity. We all saw this coming, or at least some did. I’m not sure anyone thought it would happen, considering how many hold their elected officials on such high pedestals. Everyone hoped and assumed that some brilliant idea would pop into their heads and fix this problem. Or that the Federal government would step up.
Puh-leeze!
Frankly, I knew this would happen in April when the system was already over capacity by 1000 beds. That’s around the time all the hotels were frantically being taken over. And since I’m always brutally honest, not having a plan in place back then is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.
As the winter approaches, thousands of families in Massachusetts are facing the grim reality of homelessness. They are forced to sleep outside in the freezing cold, waiting for their turn to be called – a situation that seems like it’s taken straight out of dystopian novels like “The Hunger Games” or “The Lottery.”
The situation is dire and alarming, and it’s not just limited to the migrant population. While there is a lot of focus on them, there’s minimal discussion on the plight of the local families who are now on the streets. This fact should shock everyone, as it’s a matter of life and death. These families are not accustomed to living on the streets, and they are not prepared for the harsh winter conditions. Another crime.
General Rice of the National Guard was appointed to lead the way in this crisis of epic proportions. I don’t know him. I’m sure he’s a real swell guy. I assumed he was an expert in emergency management. I doubt he stays awake at night thinking about every child’s face and parent told they are now on a waitlist, while watching them cry hysterically because they need to find a lovely sidewalk to sleep on for the next few months.
Has anyone considered the toll this will take on the police and other first responders? Have any of these trickle-down issues been weighed in their grand master plan? I guess it’s not a plan – it’s another wet, partially torn, used band-aid. The kind that has some lint and crud along the edges because you had it on too long.
What about the two motions on the upcoming City Council agenda and its potential impact on unlawful camping?
With the recent Mass and Cass encampment sweep, it’s important to consider that we may be dealing with new individuals. I’m curious to know how the city plans to address families who may be sleeping outside, as filing 51As won’t be a viable solution if there’s no available housing. Will the city manager be addressing this issue again this winter, claiming that there are plenty of beds for those in need? I find that doubtful. Perhaps a solution could be to hold landlords accountable for their role in evicting families and displacing them solely for financial gain. This should be considered a crime as well.
Amidst the current crisis, there are individuals who are truly on the front lines and deserve recognition for their selfless actions. These individuals are not the politicians sitting in their plush offices making decisions about things they have no experience with. They are the social workers, case managers, coordinators, housing advocates, and support staff who face the crisis head-on and bear the brunt of it all.
Their job is not easy, and the mental and emotional tolls are staggering. But they soldier on, motivated by their commitment to helping those in need. The families they assist in their daily work are a growing caseload, and there is no “You’re a Hero” boobie prize or award ceremony for a job well done. The reality is that the next person they try to help could be you or someone you know.
Show gratitude to these fine individuals if you come across them in your daily life. They deserve our utmost respect and appreciation for their service to the community. It is time to recognize their efforts and it is unfortunate that there are no lawn signs to show our support for them.
In contrast, the lawn signs for state-level officials might make one throw up in their mouth.
