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Crack-heads and homeless on 6th and Mission
3 reviews for Crack-heads and homeless on 6th and Mission
What I don't get is why someone would write a review of their walk to work, coffee run, etc.? Were they hoping others were trying decide if they too should work there, park there or walk there?
Those on drugs can be frightening, disoriented and many other adjectives. Remembering that not all homeless people are on drugs though many are mentally ill. You'll find that if you are polite, make eye contact when you say "not today" and perhaps ask their name they can become your friend. I work in the area in the area of 6th and Mission too - I regularly walk between 4th and Folsom, Jones & Leavenworth and up to Market at 8th - I carry things to give (because I don't give cash) socks, granola bars, bottles of water and tokens for the restrooms help. As you're around the homeless, notice that many don't have shoes on and most don't have socks. They remove their socks to allow them to dry out since wet, dirty socks can cause infection. Lots of the people you see in wheelchairs without legs lost them in military service, diabetis and from foot infections from wet socks while living on the street.
I grew up far away from homelessness, drugs, craziness and all the other descriptors. The four years I have intentionally spent in this area of San Francisco have taught me alot about people - those can help, those who need help and those who aren't quite ready for help yet. Ultimately respect them as humans even if you won't or can't help them.
I have a very professional job that I love. I am graced with the opportunity to work in such a stellar location that I get offered drugs on a daily basis (not in a good way either). I swear the same crack-heads ask me for money everyday. Are they so high that they cant remember I told them NO less than 12 hours ago?
This one guy, always stops me on my 8 AM run to get coffee. Sometimes he has no shoes or a shirt, but he always escorts me down Mission from 6th to 5th begging for change. Now mind you, I HAVE NEVER SAID YES! But he is there, everyday, like a hungry animal. And what is the deal with no shoes on? I saw him the day before with shoes and a jacket, but today, again, NO SHOES! What drug dealer is taking trade-ins on old flip flops?
Last month, I saw a nut-case with paint all over his face like a clown with his chemistry set out on display on the sidewalk. He was twitching and scratching like the usual addicts I see, but this guy was walking through the entire routine. I have seen 20/20 "Faces of Meth" specials and this guy had the lead role. Lucky for me the cops picked him up 2 hours into his first performance. I haven't seen him since.
Two weeks ago, an old guy in a long (dirty) white t-shirt was sleeping just feet from my office door WITH NO PANTS ON! His tiny little !@#$ were just laid out on display for the world to see. Who gets so messed up they lose their pants? Of course the aroma of beer and urine burned my eyes long before I could focus on the 2 o'clock show. Who gets so messed up they pass out NAKED on the SIDEWALK at 2 in the afternoon?
Finally while walking to our company parking lot with a co-worker (we walk in groups because we park next to the homeless-hotel of crazies) we notice the window open in the hotel room above our parking spot. AND OF COURSE, you guessed it! A DAMN MICROWAVE IS TOSSED OUT OF THE WINDOW and lands on his BMW! Now in shock. we can only be thankful that it wasn't a TV through the windshield, AGAIN!
I must say, as I walk around and/or two the Metreon, mall, etc - the smell that the homeless share with me is definitely one-of-a-kind!
Now, I understand how and why people end up in situations as such. And yes, I do spare dollars and change from time to time. Well, I'm a bit more selective now. I handed one woman $10 once and she and another person in hiding immediately ran to the liquor store. I'd like to think they were buying food. But, I no longer care to enable those who would rather drink instead of eat. I did enough of that in college thank you very much.