Comments on: Guerrilla Benchers replace street furniture removed to discourage homeless people http://boingboing.net/2013/02/08/guerrilla-benchers-replace-str.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sun, 19 May 2013 20:05:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Symbiote http://boingboing.net/2013/02/08/guerrilla-benchers-replace-str.html#comment-1651990 Symbiote Mon, 11 Feb 2013 13:30:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=211750#comment-1651990 Camden High Street has an excellent public toilet (opposite the station, under the road). Considering the location, it's amazing that it exists. It has lots of bright white porcelain and chunky copper pipes and brass fittings. (I can't find a photo.) Camden High Street has an excellent public toilet (opposite the station, under the road). Considering the location, it’s amazing that it exists.

It has lots of bright white porcelain and chunky copper pipes and brass fittings.

(I can’t find a photo.)

]]> By: Jen Onymous http://boingboing.net/2013/02/08/guerrilla-benchers-replace-str.html#comment-1651751 Jen Onymous Mon, 11 Feb 2013 00:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=211750#comment-1651751  Well, YEAH.  I'm not saying that there ISN'T a massive problem in long-term permanent care for the chronically mentally ill, especially the criminally insane, as well as lifelong junkies--and I'm pretty sure there's a ton of overlap between all 3 groups. FWIW, a cousin of mine did outpatient behavioral therapy with street people as part of her training, and a lot of hardcore street alcoholics are apparently schizophrenic to some degree once properly tested for it.  It turns out that alcohol is a surprisingly good, clinically effective short-term antipsychotic.  So, a lot of these guys are self-medicating.   Well, YEAH.  I’m not saying that there ISN’T a massive problem in long-term permanent care for the chronically mentally ill, especially the criminally insane, as well as lifelong junkies–and I’m pretty sure there’s a ton of overlap between all 3 groups.

FWIW, a cousin of mine did outpatient behavioral therapy with street people as part of her training, and a lot of hardcore street alcoholics are apparently schizophrenic to some degree once properly tested for it.  It turns out that alcohol is a surprisingly good, clinically effective short-term antipsychotic.  So, a lot of these guys are self-medicating. 

]]> By: Eric Rucker http://boingboing.net/2013/02/08/guerrilla-benchers-replace-str.html#comment-1651346 Eric Rucker Sun, 10 Feb 2013 13:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=211750#comment-1651346 And in the case of the mentally ill ones, it's generally because of the state of mental health care being massively degraded in the US. And in the case of the mentally ill ones, it’s generally because of the state of mental health care being massively degraded in the US.

]]> By: Jen Onymous http://boingboing.net/2013/02/08/guerrilla-benchers-replace-str.html#comment-1651209 Jen Onymous Sun, 10 Feb 2013 04:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=211750#comment-1651209 And worst of all, those anti-pigeon railings do jack shit, at least in NYC.  They dodder and do these up-down dancemove thingies and then settle in with their feet at odd little angles--I've seen it happen. And worst of all, those anti-pigeon railings do jack shit, at least in NYC.  They dodder and do these up-down dancemove thingies and then settle in with their feet at odd little angles–I’ve seen it happen.

]]> By: nachoproblem http://boingboing.net/2013/02/08/guerrilla-benchers-replace-str.html#comment-1651158 nachoproblem Sun, 10 Feb 2013 02:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=211750#comment-1651158 Spike rails are usually for pigeons. If there's a real issue of anybody shitting in public, they're the first ones that come to mind. EDIT: Sorry, I just realized you're talking about little fence-type railings. I was thinking of spiked plates like you'd see on ledges. Spike rails are usually for pigeons. If there’s a real issue of anybody shitting in public, they’re the first ones that come to mind.

EDIT: Sorry, I just realized you’re talking about little fence-type railings. I was thinking of spiked plates like you’d see on ledges.

]]> By: nachoproblem http://boingboing.net/2013/02/08/guerrilla-benchers-replace-str.html#comment-1651155 nachoproblem Sun, 10 Feb 2013 02:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=211750#comment-1651155 I appreciate your perspective. On the other hand, since my well-behaved neighbor of 5 years put a bullet through my bedroom wall about 4 feet from me, I don't find the homeless especially frightening compared to "normal" people. I appreciate your perspective. On the other hand, since my well-behaved neighbor of 5 years put a bullet through my bedroom wall about 4 feet from me, I don’t find the homeless especially frightening compared to “normal” people.

]]> By: David http://boingboing.net/2013/02/08/guerrilla-benchers-replace-str.html#comment-1651153 David Sun, 10 Feb 2013 02:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=211750#comment-1651153 It always amazed me the lengths a community will go through to keep people from 'loitering'. Ornate spike rails on planter boxes so that no one can sit down. Bus stop seats that tilt to where you're not really sitting but taking 2/3 of the weight off of your feet. Etc. Then they're the same communities that always cry about how we've lost our sense of community. Baffling. It always amazed me the lengths a community will go through to keep people from ‘loitering’. Ornate spike rails on planter boxes so that no one can sit down. Bus stop seats that tilt to where you’re not really sitting but taking 2/3 of the weight off of your feet. Etc. Then they’re the same communities that always cry about how we’ve lost our sense of community. Baffling.

]]> By: Jen Onymous http://boingboing.net/2013/02/08/guerrilla-benchers-replace-str.html#comment-1651093 Jen Onymous Sat, 09 Feb 2013 23:34:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=211750#comment-1651093 Antonius, I truly don't see how a physical description of those living full-time in bus shelters and on vanalized subway benches, and their actions, is "hate speech."  I didn't reference any particular race, creed, religion, etc.  No, it's not pretty, but it's real.  Not all the homeless are Nice Guys Down on their Luck, doling out homey nuggets of advice to those enlightened enough.  Lots of them are dangerous, and crazy to boot. These people have appropriated, full-time, resources inteded for all, and made them unusable to the general public as well as being a menace. Antonius,

I truly don’t see how a physical description of those living full-time in bus shelters and on vanalized subway benches, and their actions, is “hate speech.”  I didn’t reference any particular race, creed, religion, etc. 

No, it’s not pretty, but it’s real.  Not all the homeless are Nice Guys Down on their Luck, doling out homey nuggets of advice to those enlightened enough.  Lots of them are dangerous, and crazy to boot.

These people have appropriated, full-time, resources inteded for all, and made them unusable to the general public as well as being a menace.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2013/02/08/guerrilla-benchers-replace-str.html#comment-1651078 Antinous / Moderator Sat, 09 Feb 2013 22:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=211750#comment-1651078 We don't allow hate speech. We don’t allow hate speech.

]]> By: Jen Onymous http://boingboing.net/2013/02/08/guerrilla-benchers-replace-str.html#comment-1651074 Jen Onymous Sat, 09 Feb 2013 22:38:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=211750#comment-1651074 Well, sad to see that my earlier comment about the reality of what happens when the homeless are allowed to camp out on public facilities was deleted.  I'm sorry if "reality" doesn't jive with progressive politics expressed from a distance. Well, sad to see that my earlier comment about the reality of what happens when the homeless are allowed to camp out on public facilities was deleted.  I’m sorry if “reality” doesn’t jive with progressive politics expressed from a distance.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2013/02/08/guerrilla-benchers-replace-str.html#comment-1651044 Antinous / Moderator Sat, 09 Feb 2013 21:32:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=211750#comment-1651044 <blockquote>I don't know who conceived of the notion that it's better to tear down the whole public infrastructure than risk a handful of people getting a free ride</blockquote>Ronald Reagan?

I don’t know who conceived of the notion that it’s better to tear down the whole public infrastructure than risk a handful of people getting a free ride

Ronald Reagan?

]]> By: 3GUK http://boingboing.net/2013/02/08/guerrilla-benchers-replace-str.html#comment-1651031 3GUK Sat, 09 Feb 2013 21:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=211750#comment-1651031 Benches are the true measure of a civilised society. Benches are the true measure of a civilised society.

]]> By: John Thornton http://boingboing.net/2013/02/08/guerrilla-benchers-replace-str.html#comment-1650983 John Thornton Sat, 09 Feb 2013 19:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=211750#comment-1650983 If you check out the third photograph on the following webpage, you'll see an example of the sort of seating now appearing within the public realm in Camden (well, the posh areas).  These seats are a thing of beauty.  But sadly the issues of homelessness, poverty and incidences of rough sleeping only increase under the ConDem Government.  http://www.rudi.net/node/22036 If you check out the third photograph on the following webpage, you’ll see an example of the sort of seating now appearing within the public realm in Camden (well, the posh areas).  These seats are a thing of beauty.  But sadly the issues of homelessness, poverty and incidences of rough sleeping only increase under the ConDem Government.  http://www.rudi.net/node/22036

]]> By: Wreckrob8 http://boingboing.net/2013/02/08/guerrilla-benchers-replace-str.html#comment-1650932 Wreckrob8 Sat, 09 Feb 2013 18:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=211750#comment-1650932 Well? It's one way to prevent hypothermia. If Camden are removing benches to stop the homeless sleeping on them, they must have already done a pretty good job chasing the homeless from the more secluded and safer places to sleep. It is dangerous sleeping rough. Well? It’s one way to prevent hypothermia.
If Camden are removing benches to stop the homeless sleeping on them, they must have already done a pretty good job chasing the homeless from the more secluded and safer places to sleep. It is dangerous sleeping rough.

]]> By: nachoproblem http://boingboing.net/2013/02/08/guerrilla-benchers-replace-str.html#comment-1650833 nachoproblem Sat, 09 Feb 2013 15:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=211750#comment-1650833 Even if it's an old piece, it's a timeless need. I don't know how it is in England, but in the US bench removal has become the standard in most cities. Some of you guys mention benches with dividers, but that's just the beginning. Even here in SF, which is notorious for its tolerance of the homeless, benches for bus stops have been replaced with flappy bits of plastic at roughly butt-height, which arguably even pass for seats. I don't know who conceived of the notion that it's better to tear down the whole public infrastructure than risk a handful of people getting a free ride, but it reminds me of the notion that it's better to execute an innocent person than let a guilty one go free. I am a (mostly) innocent person, I pay my taxes, and I want a bench to set my butt upon, even at the risk that a transient may have slept upon it also. Even if it’s an old piece, it’s a timeless need.

I don’t know how it is in England, but in the US bench removal has become the standard in most cities. Some of you guys mention benches with dividers, but that’s just the beginning. Even here in SF, which is notorious for its tolerance of the homeless, benches for bus stops have been replaced with flappy bits of plastic at roughly butt-height, which arguably even pass for seats.

I don’t know who conceived of the notion that it’s better to tear down the whole public infrastructure than risk a handful of people getting a free ride, but it reminds me of the notion that it’s better to execute an innocent person than let a guilty one go free.

I am a (mostly) innocent person, I pay my taxes, and I want a bench to set my butt upon, even at the risk that a transient may have slept upon it also.

]]> By: nachoproblem http://boingboing.net/2013/02/08/guerrilla-benchers-replace-str.html#comment-1650823 nachoproblem Sat, 09 Feb 2013 15:08:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=211750#comment-1650823 Not tasked, much less paid. But the way they write it up, it sure sounds like they appreciate the irony. Not tasked, much less paid.

But the way they write it up, it sure sounds like they appreciate the irony.

]]> By: oasisob1 http://boingboing.net/2013/02/08/guerrilla-benchers-replace-str.html#comment-1650782 oasisob1 Sat, 09 Feb 2013 13:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=211750#comment-1650782 He's not an asshole, he's a weakling. I just step on them. He’s not an asshole, he’s a weakling. I just step on them.

]]> By: Mitch_M http://boingboing.net/2013/02/08/guerrilla-benchers-replace-str.html#comment-1650771 Mitch_M Sat, 09 Feb 2013 12:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=211750#comment-1650771 I wanted to take the anti-lying-down dividers off the benches by the state capitol in Madison, WI but I chickened out. I remember some asshole who moved here from Chicago complaining about having to step over homeless people on the way to his condo. I wanted to take the anti-lying-down dividers off the benches by the state capitol in Madison, WI but I chickened out. I remember some asshole who moved here from Chicago complaining about having to step over homeless people on the way to his condo.

]]> By: Nathan Hornby http://boingboing.net/2013/02/08/guerrilla-benchers-replace-str.html#comment-1650764 Nathan Hornby Sat, 09 Feb 2013 11:58:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=211750#comment-1650764 Difference being that these men aren't tasked with running a council. But ye, it's a nice extra :) Difference being that these men aren’t tasked with running a council. But ye, it’s a nice extra :)

]]> By: Ray Perkins http://boingboing.net/2013/02/08/guerrilla-benchers-replace-str.html#comment-1650751 Ray Perkins Sat, 09 Feb 2013 11:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=211750#comment-1650751 "misorganised"? Really, David? Come on! [disorganised...] Wait, now I'm confused. “misorganised”? Really, David? Come on!
[disorganised...] Wait, now I’m confused.

]]> By: SomeGuyNamedMark http://boingboing.net/2013/02/08/guerrilla-benchers-replace-str.html#comment-1650719 SomeGuyNamedMark Sat, 09 Feb 2013 07:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=211750#comment-1650719 I'm just happy to find a public bathroom nowadays I’m just happy to find a public bathroom nowadays

]]> By: marilove http://boingboing.net/2013/02/08/guerrilla-benchers-replace-str.html#comment-1650684 marilove Sat, 09 Feb 2013 05:36:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=211750#comment-1650684 Pretty sure the Guerrilla Benchers weren't trying to be either, and to top it off, were helping people. Ironically, I was trying to be snarky. :P Pretty sure the Guerrilla Benchers weren’t trying to be either, and to top it off, were helping people.

Ironically, I was trying to be snarky. :P

]]> By: taras http://boingboing.net/2013/02/08/guerrilla-benchers-replace-str.html#comment-1650683 taras Sat, 09 Feb 2013 05:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=211750#comment-1650683 I'm not here to be cool. I’m not here to be cool.

]]> By: Jonathan Roberts http://boingboing.net/2013/02/08/guerrilla-benchers-replace-str.html#comment-1650682 Jonathan Roberts Sat, 09 Feb 2013 05:34:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=211750#comment-1650682 Not trying to put down their work, but I like the (intentional?) irony of criticising Camden Council for its disorganisation, then in the next sentence admitting that they couldn't even remember to charge the batteries of their tools. Not trying to put down their work, but I like the (intentional?) irony of criticising Camden Council for its disorganisation, then in the next sentence admitting that they couldn’t even remember to charge the batteries of their tools.

]]> By: Rick Adams http://boingboing.net/2013/02/08/guerrilla-benchers-replace-str.html#comment-1650667 Rick Adams Sat, 09 Feb 2013 04:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=211750#comment-1650667  I'm not even sure how to take this.  I’m not even sure how to take this.

]]> By: JohnQPublic http://boingboing.net/2013/02/08/guerrilla-benchers-replace-str.html#comment-1650666 JohnQPublic Sat, 09 Feb 2013 04:34:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=211750#comment-1650666 Similarly in the fight against the homeless, in Los Angeles, there is a tiny public park (really just a triangle shaped divider in the city) that is now fenced off with a 6 foot metal bar fence all around so that nobody can get in it.  Why? To discourage the homeless from sleeping in that park. http://la.curbed.com/archives/2012/04/west_las_bundy_triangle_park_reopens_just_for_earth_day.php Similarly in the fight against the homeless, in Los Angeles, there is a tiny public park (really just a triangle shaped divider in the city) that is now fenced off with a 6 foot metal bar fence all around so that nobody can get in it.  Why? To discourage the homeless from sleeping in that park.

http://la.curbed.com/archives/2012/04/west_las_bundy_triangle_park_reopens_just_for_earth_day.php

]]> By: Morgan Blodgett http://boingboing.net/2013/02/08/guerrilla-benchers-replace-str.html#comment-1650663 Morgan Blodgett Sat, 09 Feb 2013 04:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=211750#comment-1650663 You should check out busstops in all of southern NY too. Metal benches, with 'armrest' dividers to discourage lying down, and flimsy, open to the air shelters that don't even keep out the rain. It's gotten to the point where not only is it attempted homicide on the homeless, but regular busgoers are at a risk for frostbite just from sitting down. You should check out busstops in all of southern NY too. Metal benches, with ‘armrest’ dividers to discourage lying down, and flimsy, open to the air shelters that don’t even keep out the rain.

It’s gotten to the point where not only is it attempted homicide on the homeless, but regular busgoers are at a risk for frostbite just from sitting down.

]]> By: eldritch http://boingboing.net/2013/02/08/guerrilla-benchers-replace-str.html#comment-1650661 eldritch Sat, 09 Feb 2013 04:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=211750#comment-1650661 "The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread." - Anatole France “The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread.” – Anatole France

]]> By: David Horton http://boingboing.net/2013/02/08/guerrilla-benchers-replace-str.html#comment-1650644 David Horton Sat, 09 Feb 2013 03:49:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=211750#comment-1650644 Really, Larry? Come on! Cory didn't write that. It's a quote from the original writer. Did you not know what he meant? [misorganised...] Really, Larry? Come on! Cory didn’t write that. It’s a quote from the original writer. Did you not know what he meant? [misorganised...]

]]> By: Larry7 http://boingboing.net/2013/02/08/guerrilla-benchers-replace-str.html#comment-1650642 Larry7 Sat, 09 Feb 2013 03:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=211750#comment-1650642 "inorganised"? Really Cory? Come on! [disorganised...] “inorganised”? Really Cory? Come on!
[disorganised...]

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