Saturday, May 29, 2010

That smell is not incense...

From the Brooklyn Paper:

Congregants at All Saints Church at Flushing and Throop avenues are having their compassion tested nightly, as the exterior of their historic house of worship is swarmed by homeless men who leave makeshift beds, blankets, syringes and even human waste in their wake.

Head usher Andy Rodriguez said that homeless people have always been a presence outside the church in the evening, but as of late, their behavior has become much worse.

“They pee and defecate right at the entrance to the church!” said Rodriguez. “Everything has to be hosed down in the morning.”

Though the aftermath may be disgusting, the people using the church as sleeping quarters are desperate for safe haven — whether there are better options available or not.

Juan de Jesus, a 70-year-old man from Puerto Rico, often sleeps on the concrete beside the Throop Avenue entrance. De Jesus seemed completely unaware of homeless services that are available to him and said he had no friends or family on which to rely.

In a nearby stairwell, a sleeping man appeared to have soiled himself.

Once De Jesus and others departed the towering, 116-year-old church, a strong odor lingered at the entrance to an adjacent building used as offices and a prayer room. In another nook beside the main entrance, a pile of filth sat in a corner beside a bottle of vodka.

In the back of the church, custodian Jose Luis Garcia had gathered about a dozen big boxes that he had collected on Monday morning.

“I’ve found boxes, blankets, sometimes even syringes — right on the [front] steps,” said Garcia.

Both Garcia and Rodriguez said that some of the homeless people even had committed the ultimate act of desecration: having sex in a cardboard shack right outside the church.

“It’s getting out of hand,” added Rodriguez.


17 comments:

Lino said...

"Both Garcia and Rodriguez said that some of the homeless people even had committed the ultimate act of desecration: having sex in a cardboard shack right outside the church."

How is sex "the ultimate act of desecration"

More religion bullshit. It is OK though for religions to cover up acts of molestation or embezzlement by it's officers.

Homeless encamping at churches is not limited to outer boroughs. Almost -all- churches here in Manhattan have at least some of them, even at the churches on Park Ave. Until we provide safe, humane housing for these people this will continue.

Mayor M. Bloompoop said...

I live in a brownstone!

Anonymous said...

are you planning on setting up homeless persons shacks in front of your restaurants, so they can fuck and shit for your customers on the u.e.s. ,LINO ?

Lino said...

"Anonymous said...are you planning on setting up homeless persons shacks in front of your restaurants, so they can fuck and shit for your customers on the u.e.s. ,LINO ?"

Of course, and you are always welcome...bring your own box.

Goor May said...

I recommend the quarter pound Lino Burger. You get more than you bargained for. He doesn't weigh the flies!

Burger Queen said...

Gives new meaning to the term "would you like flies with that!"

Babs said...

Many of these homeless people unfortunately are also nuts - they pose a definite threat to the nab they are camping out in.

The housing they provide is hell for a sane homeless person since they have to share space with the nuts.

Many of the homeless are anti-social too so they do not like being in the shelter for that reason.

I sympathize with the community - churches can provide info on where to get help to the homeless - a meal on occasion, but they cannot turn themselves into a shelter.

Feed one cat and before you know it - there are 20 at your door. Cats are cuter though.

stormin said...

I work in this area at night.There are homeless people living around this church.I would say they need
more lighting if they want to keep
people away because it is very dark
around the church at night.

Anonymous said...

Babs said...
Many of these homeless people unfortunately are also nuts


Takes one to know one! Now we have the proof! A self-admission!

gov. arnold schwarzenegger said...

Ach du lieber Leeno, mit der brinking uf der own bocks so dey kann zhit und fak. Ja, zat vas a gut von! Hahr, hahr.

Anonymous said...

LOL. thou shall procreate

Anonymous said...

Lino,

I'm bringing my own box, got me a new girl ;D

Toby S. said...

Lino,

I'm bringing my own box, got me a new girl ;D
------------------------------------------------

You promised you wouldn't tell!!!!

Anonymous said...

The reason they are putting their shacks in front of churches rather than restaurants or police precincts is that the expect to treated with Christian charity at a church.

Anonymous said...

The reason they are putting their shacks in front of churches rather than restaurants or police precincts is that the expect to treated with Christian charity at a church.
***************************************************
Ya think?

Ann Onymous said...

The reason they are putting their shacks in front of churches rather than restaurants or police precincts is that the expect to treated with Christian charity at a church.
***************************************************
Ya think?


Looks like Babs is back using the name Anonymous.

Anonymous said...

Strange that homeless people only gravitate towards churches, and not mosques and synagogues.

Indeed, those who camp and defecate in cardboard boxes are nuts and antisocial. They are disgusting.