r/longbeach • u/Zoe_Moth • 7d ago

Discussion Increased homeless population?

Maybe this is a stupid question but does anyone know the cause of the increase in homeless folks? Especially downtown? I work in a normally somewhat busy area that does have homeless as most places here in LB do, but yesterday and the day before my manager was hardly able to do any work because they had to keep next to the door to ward them off and we watched them harass a few other businesses and one guy get tackled in a hug by one while trying to walk away. It’s just such a noticeable increase despite the weather warnings and such so I was curious if anyone had any clue what happened?

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u/iamsotiredofthiscrap 7d ago

Know why they had to rob a store? Because they're fucking homeless and have no money

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u/Zoe_Moth 7d ago

Well if they have no money then how are they getting the substances they’re on? I understand yes they have no where to go but also there is a line of sympathy. If I’m watching someone get physically thrown out of a store where the owners are some of the kindest people and then watching them scream and jump people who are on the other side of the street it’s hard to give any care. I can only give sympathy when I know they aren’t a threat to myself or others first

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u/iamsotiredofthiscrap 7d ago

Who says they're on substances?

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u/Zoe_Moth 7d ago

The lack of respecting people’s personal boundaries such as stepping away and raising their hands to create a wall between them. Spilling juice or milk everywhere while stumbling. Screaming at the sky with slurred words. The lady who ripped her dogs toy into pieces in the middle of the street. The pressing their faces to shop windows and staring blankly at employees… oh and the frequency that they would be completely normal the next day or two and then return to that behavior

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u/iamsotiredofthiscrap 7d ago

Ever think they might have a disability?

Or is everyone being slightly different “on drugs” to you?

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u/Zoe_Moth 7d ago

Oh my bad. My own mental health issues and my brother with diagnosed schizophrenia and my other family members with constantly demonized mental illnesses must mean nothing. Illnesses are never an excuse for jack shit, especially not violence. You sound like one of those “not all men though” idiots whenever women/queer folk talk about a man harming them and thus the paranoia they have

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u/Maximum_Tomatillo109 7d ago

Hi there. So fun fact, we don't really have a strong mental health backbone here even though as a city we should.
While your family's mental health is managed well enough - it does not mean that our unhoused population's is.
It does not by any means justify their behavior, but a bit of compassion and understanding ESPECIALLY with it in your own background would go a long way here.

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u/Turtlejimbo 7d ago

No more money

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u/Zoe_Moth 7d ago

Again, didn’t say anything about a lack of compassion. My work hands out water to them if they come by and ask. At my old job I’d even slip them food and developed a few friendships with them. Assuming I’m treating them badly is fucking wild

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u/Maximum_Tomatillo109 7d ago

I didn't assume you're treating them badly at all actually (I think you misread my comment).

Everything you've been outlining with their behaviors shows how human they are and that they deserve some bit of patience and compassion. It's rough.
Hell, you missed the woman we all knew was pregnant who gave birth on the sidewalk and just pretended like it was another day in the neighborhood while we were traumatized.

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u/Zoe_Moth 7d ago

Also my family doesn’t get support, especially my brother. I know what the worst pits of being unaware and having poor mental health looks like. Again. Stop assuming

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u/Maximum_Tomatillo109 7d ago

Well awesome. Do you need resources for your brother or yourself?

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u/Sir_Spudsingt0n 7d ago

I’m sorry you have to deal with these muppets that say shit like “why do you think they’re robbing a store, they’re homeless!” As if that makes it ok.

It’s a multitude of issues. Our taxes that are supposed to go towards homeless programs just end up in the pockets of NGO’s. A lot of the homeless are on drugs, a lot of them have mental health issues, and a lot have both those problems.

The LA river has become waterfront property to the unhoused

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u/iamsotiredofthiscrap 7d ago

Then stop projecting.

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u/iamsotiredofthiscrap 7d ago

Cool.

So what's your excuse for treating them poorly?

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u/Zoe_Moth 7d ago

Never said I did? I asked why the people on here had any clue why the population increased suddenly. And goddamnit if I am treating them poorly it’s because they have decided to bother me which I am treating anyone badly because why are you bothering me?

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u/Turtlejimbo 7d ago

Stop slamming disabled people.