Trending
The city of Wheeling finds itself at a crossroads with how to address the homeless situation.
On one hand, according to statistics from the Wheeling Police Department, during a three-month period this summer 40% of all charges linked to alleged crimes in the city were filed against individuals who identify as homeless. In recent weeks a city of Wheeling employee was attacked by a homeless man near a camp outside the Nelson Jordan Center in East Wheeling. There are concerns daily over public safety.
On the other is the human issue -- just what type of city will Wheeling be? One that runs homeless off public property and to the next town, or one that helps solve the problem and return folks to society while also upholding the rule of law?
There are no clear or easy answers. Consider some of the statements made Tuesday at Wheeling City Council following discussion on whether the city would move to ban camping by people on public property:
– Homelessness is "an issue that has challenged this community for quite some time, and unfortunately, it's getting worse on almost a daily basis here," Fourth Ward Councilman Jerry Sklavounakis said. "I think it is in the best interest of our community at this point in time that we pass an ordinance that makes it unlawful to camp on private property, including rights of ways, easements, parks and playgrounds, and under bridges."
– "… There's no way around it -- it's out of control," Second Ward Councilman Ben Seidler said. "The violence that's happening right now, the drugs that are happening right now, the sheer number of complaints we're getting about people defecating on our streets and alleys -- it's out of control, and we need to get it under control."
– "They're human beings, they're not vermin," resident John Hargleroad told council. "We must treat them with respect due to a human being. The city must create space with Porta-johns, access to running water, dumpsters and a place to camp."
– "We must answer -- where can they go?" Kate Marshall of the House of Hagar asked concerning where people could live. "… Any person who is serious about inclusion or life in Wheeling ethically cannot take part in any act that criminalizes a human need."
Perhaps Mayor Glenn Elliott summed the issue up best: "This is a tough issue, and I think as a community that we need to all stop questioning everyone's motives and look for some consensus to solutions. The people who showed up tonight -- I certainly appreciate your perspective, but we also get emails and complaints from people who are dealing with a lot of crime and other things in their back yards that they shouldn't be subjected to in a civilized city."
Thus, one of the challenges of our time: How does a city properly manage its homeless population, particularly when some of those folks are breaking the law? How does a city ensure that folks looking to take a walk in the evening aren't subjected to, as Seidler said, someone soiling the streets? How does a city enact rules and regulations that treat the most unfortunate among us with respect while offering opportunities for something different?
Perhaps most importantly: How does a city not fall into the trap of allowing sympathy for the homeless to get in the way of civility for its citizens?
Again, there are no easy answers here -- but the rule of law must come first.
Council must come up with a plan to help tackle these issues.