DISQUS

onesmith · 4 months ago

Maybe they could all stay a few nights at Brenda's house until the taxpayers fund more homeless shelters. :-)

johnnywajob · 4 months ago

"I think it sends a very strong message that we don't want homeless people hanging out in our public spaces and we don't want them in our downtown...." Yes, Brenda. That is correct. And the citizens rejoice!

OldOnliner · 4 months ago

Hmmm... it will also stop skateboards and bikes from using them for tricks.

AirGuy · 4 months ago

If they are going to not let people sleep on benches maybe we can just lay underneath them. That way you are sheltered?!?! They should put a bench on the corner of E. Main by the GEF building. They hang there in the winter alot. The heat comes out of the building nice and cozy.

AirGuy · 4 months ago

I like to watch tricks! Tricks are fun.

Name · 4 months ago

I'll put up with the homeless if we can get rid of Brenda.

Downtown Worker · 4 months ago

I work downtown and in general the homeless people keep to themselves and YES they sleep on these benches a lot. But guess what? There's plenty of other places to sit - like the black benches on the other side of the street. I don't see a lot of business people or residents waiting in line to sit on these benches. Yes, this is all about sticking it to the homeless. How sad. The "have's" gotta continue to take away from the "have not's." I try to support the retail downtown but I'll try less hard in the future. Here's the next evil that should be addressed: children in the downtown. There should be no school bus unloading (or even driving) within five blocks of the Capitol. Those school children come, run around the lawn, crowd the sidewalks, screech at the top of their lungs. It's a hazard and interferes with my enjoyment. Sometimes I'm even scared. Come on BID get on that one please!

garyburr · 4 months ago

I really have nothing against the homeless, and I agree that in many cases, these are troubled folks that have caught some bad breaks or society has given them a raw deal. However, if a community provides a vehicle for certain behaviors or lifestyles, they will occur. Reduced drug enforcement? You get more drug dealers. No democratic process? You get a dictatorship. When Brenda says "I think it sends a very strong message that we don't want homeless people hanging out in our public spaces and we don't want them in our downtown area...", I think most people agree and would support that sentiment being absolutely correct.

glas · 4 months ago

Just as the economy takes a turn for the worse, Madison adds insult to injury by not only reduce programs that help the homeless but also takes away the dry areas off the ground that the homeless sleep. Nice work Madison, the home of acceptance and compassion....NOT.

Anne · 4 months ago

Great idea-and honestly no other city with such a massive homeless population (Berkeley, Austin, Santa Barbara to name a few) have city benches or bus shelters that allow vagrants to sleep on them. Madison is finally starting to be smarter with their city planning choices. I applaud this long overdue sensibility.

Name · 4 months ago

Money is the only driving force in Madison. Those who have it care about nothing else.

Name · 4 months ago

So what's next, installing "kickout timers" that give the physical boot when a person (any person) has been occupying the bench seat longer than allowed? Sheesh Madison. How about we EFFECTIVELY address the homeless problem instead of creating barriers for all citizens??

Unless you're a heartless human, one only could feel incredibly sad when downtown yesterday as it rained and rained some more. Homeless folks shored up in doorways, covering themselves with plastic bags & pacing, covering their meager belongings with anything that would help keep those belongings dry. Can you imagine how uncomfortable it would be to be wet, cold and soggy for a few days? I gave my umbrella to an elderly homeless woman pacing on N. Carroll St. "I" had the privilege of going HOME to get dry, her "home" was soaking wet.

Uppity, goodie two shoes snotty Madison. Progressive, NOT. Exclusive, without a doubt.

Hellbone · 4 months ago

You also could have offered to have her stay at your home, or put her up in a hotel room, untill she gets a job, or the mental help she really needs. But hey! She got an umbrella, and you get to feel like your better than everybody else. Don't get me wrong, it was nice to give the umbrella, but that's just a $20 band-aid.

ka6003 · 4 months ago

They should have just said it was for skateboards and bikes, they would have avoided the entire issue.

IMNOTME · 4 months ago

I grew up in Madison and have lived here all my life. I'm really tired of the "perpetual UW student" mentality of some people. There ARE jobs to be found, and I beleive that most homeless people have made a lifestyle choice to live that way. And I do not want to support their way of life any more than they support mine.

mre8791 · 4 months ago

Anyone who claims to believe that homeless people choose to live that way is either a fool or a liar. Which are you?

Name · 4 months ago

TO: IMNOTME:
Just HOW are YOU supporting "homelessness"? Oh yeah, "homeless people" are now excluded from resting their weary bodies on city benches. Yeah, I suppose if you allowed them to do that, you could be construed as "supporting homelessness".

Obviously, you're of the "elite" part of society, a member of that "perpetual UW student mentality" of entitlement and never having experienced your "life rug" ripped from under you due to a catastrophic life event.

The "Homeless", I can assure you, are not members of the "perpetual UW Student mentality" club. On the contrary. "Homelessness" is rarely a "choice"; although some homeless people may choose to sleep on the streets rather than fight their way into a shelter that will ONLY offer NIGHTTIME shelter, limited in it's capacity for sleeping space (therefore many get turned away).

So what are Homeless people to do all day, but hang out? Can't get a job because there's no place to shower and no permanent address and no way to get in contact. They have to carry all their belongings on their backs (literally). Improper sleep and nutrition day after day, night after night. There's no place to go, no one to turn to, no money, no medical care, no humanity, no way out. Mired in mental illness (as surely depression will set in even when there are no initial MH issues that preexisted their homelessness) for which there is no treatment to be obtained. *If you think Dane County Mental Health helps, think again. The waitlists are forever. Meanwhile, people are suffering.

I challenge you to try being "homeless" for a week. I'll bet my paycheck that you'll change your perspective.

FRETHKR · 4 months ago

So this is how we handle a social problem?? Very Christian like approach people, Annie Laurie Gaylord would be proud of you. Why not just sterilize those who don't make enough money to have children. My goodness isn't this just a way to make the rich "downtown" condo dwellers have a better "view" of the city? Gee we wouldn't want to insult the Fratuschi's now would we. I have lived in Madison my entire life - my father grew up in the Bush - they helped each other - they had a heart and soul for their neighbor. They didn't hide behind their money in the suburbs of Semiole Hills or try and build the biggest mansion in the Harley-Sprague Neighborhood. They didn't give their children everything and lead them to believe that if you have money you are a better person then the blue collar guy next to you. How many of the "big money" people of Madison are just living on Daddy's money (ie. Serginian Carpets). Really people wake up - their are so many of you that would be no better off than a homeless person if your Mommies and Daddies hadn't left you everything. For once lets think from our hearts and not our pocket books.

pastorspet · 4 months ago

Boy, we sure are a sorry society. I don't care what the business owners say, this is targeting the homeless and given them even less place to rest. I'm afraid we could be heading towards a time when society says, if your homeless we will kill you because we don't have anywhere for you to rest. I am sick about this and I pray that we as a society will someday all see that every homeless person is first and foremost a person rather than an object to be judged and removed from sight.

disable · 4 months ago

Being disable I love this idea, I can now go downtown and use these benches. It is a great a way to help me get up from the benches. But I guess the beds should be used for something else besides what they are for. BENCHES FOR THE DISABLE.

Name · 4 months ago

A large majority of the homeless population ARE disabled, if not before becoming homeless certainly becoming disabled during their tenure as homeless people.

BTW, it's disableD, with a "d" on the end.

Guest · 4 months ago

I think its a great idea. The benches are for ALL people to use, not just the homeless. The benches weren't made for homeless people to sleep on--it has nothing to do with the homeless problem. If a homeless person doesn't want to be homeless anymore, they need to figure out a way NOT to be. Like taking advantage of alcohol and drug treatment, mental health treatment, job programs. There are lots of ways for people to get help. They just have to WANT to get help, and that is the key.

Marci · 4 months ago

Wow! We have some seriously delusional people writing here if they really think that A) these benches are for homeless people and B) allowing homeless people to sleep on the street somehow helps their problem. Homeless people don't choose to live this life freely, they are mentally ill and need care. Sleeping on a bench on the street and begging for money is not the cure.

Guest · 4 months ago

Also, homeless people can't SIT on a bench?????

Name · 4 months ago

SHOW me where the AODA treatment centers are that accept people w/out insurance and provide all the treatment necessary. SHOW me the mental health services that adequately address mental illness and all that comes with it. Doesn't exist in Dane county, I guarantee you that.

Recovery~ for both AODA and Mental Illness is a PROCESS, not a 15-30day, or even a 90day program. Unless one is of means, one is excluded from receiving services that will actually have an impact.

Guest · 4 months ago

I'm just saying there ARE ways for people to get help and if there are not enough services there should be. However, that has nothing to do with benches that are supposed to be for everyone. There is nothing preventing a homeless person from sitting on a bench. Letting them sleep on benches (that are not meant for homeless people anyway) is not an answer.

Name · 4 months ago

I've never ever not been able to sit on a bench anywhere in this city because a 'homeless person' was hogging it up. Now, the gangbangin thugged out teens, that's another story.

I'm not downtown in the dead of night, so what skin is it off my nose if a person who doesn't have a place to sleep lays down on the bench to sleep?

You're right fluffpuppy, there SHOULD be services to meet the needs of all. Unfortunately I think our society is too self serving and (as a whole) doesn't really give a rat's behind about the underprivileged. We have hundreds of thousands of kids going to sleep without enough food in their bellies and without health care. Sorry lot we "Americans" are......

AirGuy · 4 months ago

I used to walk around down town late at night all the time. Do different things. I have never seen a homeless person sleeping on the bench. Usually there would be 2-4 homeless people sitting next to eachother. Sharing the bench. ;)

AirGuy · 4 months ago

Have you gone through AODA treatment before?

Cancer the Crab · 4 months ago

What is there to 'defend'? How about a vagrancy ordinance? How does that grab ya?

AirGuy · 4 months ago

If they are going to not let people sleep on benches maybe we can just lay underneath them. That way you are sheltered?!?! They should put a bench on the corner of E. Main by the GEF building. They hang there in the winter alot. The heat comes out of the building nice and cozy

captianobvious · 4 months ago

There are a lot of programs for people with mental health and homelessness issues, I think one of the problems is that not enough of the people that need the programs know that they are available. For instance ANYONE making less than $21,000 a year, not just parents and single mothers can sign up for badger care health insurance starting this month.

Name · 4 months ago

Not so easy there, "captianobvious". If you knew of which you speak, then you would know it costs each applicant $60 just to apply, and it's non refundable $60.

EVEN IF the homeless had BadgerCare PLUS, you need to read what it covers. DOES NOT cover MH or AODA treatment. That's the crappers, isn't it? It's the way to look good while keeping costs to a minimum.

Top all that garbage off and then there are few MH and Substance abuse providers. As previously stated, what is available is inadequate, period.

j.sutherland · 4 months ago

After seeing some of the crude comments posted about the death of the homeless man, who drowned in lake Monona, I wouldn't be too surprised if they came from the same people who pushed for the park bench changes. I've been downtown and have noticed these people sleeping on the benches, they weren't hurting any one. I hope these insensitive morons who got the change are very pleased with themselves.

Name · 4 months ago

I like the dividers. I find it very gross to see the homless sleeping all gruby and stinky. when people come to Madison to see the capital and see this what do you think they are saying about Madison the capital area should be clean and pristine. The workers try very hard to keep it clean and some times it looks like they forgot to pick up the trash if someone is sleeping there.

Name · 4 months ago

Never been to DC, have you?
It's sad that humanity's depraved makes it "very gross" for you.... hopefully you never fall from your pedestal.