Jeff Burgar
Can anything be done about High Prairie’s ‘Bridge Crew?’
The short answer, at least as far as police chit-chatting with the High Prairie Chamber of Commerce recently, is, “Not really. Not unless they are doing something against the law.”
Of course, there might be local loitering bylaws that might kick in. Which mostly means, push the problem from one suffering business down the street to another business and make them suffer a bit. There are also more serious tools of charging bad guys and girls with uttering threats, mischief, vandalism and even littering. All of which are a pain in the butt, and even a waste of police resources in many cases.
Meanwhile, one should not think High Prairie, or any community, is unique. All have their issues with the homeless. People from one community don’t recognize the vagrants and hobos in another community because first, they don’t see them each day, and second, they aren’t looking for them.
The three or four who make up HP’s “crew” in winter are pretty well known to everybody. Thus, they are a “problem.”
There is always discussion how people end up being homeless. For some, there is no choice. Out of work. No family. Addictions. Mental health issues, may all play a role. For others, it is an easy choice. No ambition needed. Feed the drug or booze habit. Forget about the past. Don’t worry about the future. Research is constant and endless. If there were answers, there would not be tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of people, filling tent cities and downtown zones of warmer places.
Canadian comedian, philosopher Richard Needham says, “If you pay people to fall down, it should be no surprise they keep falling down.”
This might indicate shutting down welfare, shelters, and free food programs is a good idea. Except one does not want to turn away a starving person, or leave them out in the cold when it is -40C.
Also, is it fair to shut down good programs serving real needs because a few bad apples might slip through the cracks? We don’t think so.
Putting unwanted on a bus to someplace else wasn’t really a good idea, even if former premier Ralph Klein liked it. If it worked, all that would happen was other places would start sending their own crop over to us.
So far, the best anybody comes up with is “Tough Love.” No business or centre or community has to be a welcoming place for hobos. Neither do they have to be cruel.
Any community has its core group of “homeless” because, well, that’s their home. The rest, passing through or trying it on, need not be welcome. Buying a meal for, or tossing coins, at a beggar usually means they have more money for their addictions. Jail, when warranted, takes them away from their friends and especially, their booze, which leads to better behaviour. It’s a balance between sensitivity to those less fortunate, and refusing to be a patsy or pushover.
Comments are welcome.
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Fake Name Nina
I missed the ‘argument’ about your name or whatever point you were trying to make. I am just pointing out you are hiding behind a fake name. I didn’t know it was an argument. Personally, I don’t see any need to NOT put your real name out there, or pay for groceries at the store, drive on the right side of the road, or be polite to strangers.
That said, moderators on this board do not post their names. The vitriol tossed at them by clueless drive-by posters and haters is reason for that.
Meanwhile, since I am completely lost as to what you are getting at at over ‘traveling.’ Please explain. I have to admit I don’t understand at all what you are getting at. If you read the column, you might have noticed mention that homeless is not a unique situation in High Prairie. It could be a lot worse if you look at Vancouver or California or even Edmonton.
You may also notice the column says this is a summer time problem. But just to make that clear for those having trouble (hey, I am having trouble with what traveling has to do with anything) that does not say anything bad about the regular folks who are here in winter. As the column says, this is their home.
Problems are caused by summer-time transients. Get it? The headline wasn’t big enough?
The column also mentions police can charge people with loitering, uttering threats, mischief, vandalism and even littering. Which, as the column points out, is mostly a waste of police resources. Why would that be? Nina and Sheila will have to figure that one out.
We are trying to encourage thoughtful discussion. It appears we have, for lack of a better term, a severe shortage of “thoughtful discussioners.” on this topic. 🙂
lol at “Fake Name Nina”…dont assume. No ones hiding.
My name is Nina Brzezicki. Not trying to hide anything “Jeff”. Stop being petty and making me out to be somebody I’m not. Just because people don’t like your article, doesnt make them a bad person. We’re people with compassion and love who are speaking up for the vunerable people you’re shaming on a public platfom.
You’re a big fish in a small pond and your ignorant attitude isn’t tolerated in this town.
Have a good day “Jeff”
Hmmm. Still waiting to hear what your argument is “Nina”. And you are still using a fake email address. Yes. Nothing to hide.
Since I personally know our hard core crew, I don’t understand how you say I am shaming them. But what the heck, all these posts are the same: Ready. Fire. Aim.
I don’t think TELLING everybody how loving and compassionate you are equates to REALLY BEING loving and compassionate. Maybe you are. At the same time, your case seems to be there is no problem with “homeless” or as the headline says, “vagrant” people anywhere in the world, including High Prairie. Talking about it is all horrible, horrible, horrible.
Sad we can’t talk? Or good to know there is nothing to talk about? Take your pick.
So very heartless.
Do you mean Marvin Belcourt, George Coutrie and Clayton Badger??? They do have names. They are people to just like u and me. They do have families too that love them. They do come from communities outside of town just like many of us. I dont know anyone who refers to them as bridge crew because alot of ppl know them on a personal level.
“Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people”
This article says nothing about the homeless and everything about how small minded you must be. Instead of taking the time and effort to write such a ridiculous articles, put that same amount of time and energy towards ideas or travelling out of High Prairie and understanding life and people from a bigger perspective.
Too bad you hid behind a fake email address “Nina.”
But past that, exactly what are you trying to say here? Travel to where? To understand what?
Help the readers out please so we can discuss your great ideas. Please. We are all ears.
I dont see why you need my personal email hence why I made up one up. So that argument is invalid.
Its obvious you havent gone very far from the area. If you did, you would know exactly what I’m taking about
What was your payoff for writing this ignorant article? Attention, a fight?
If you’re not open to other people’s opinions I strongly suggest get another hobby because your doing a very poor job at this one
Wow? That’s all I can say, is wow??? This coming from a business owner of this town…. the people you speak of, are helpless, harmful. They never bother me, they are people of this community as you are. Their families or friends shop in this community alongside side the rest of us? Their lifestyle you downplay is a sickness, an addiction is an illness. How can you condem those who have hardships? I really can’t believe that this was actually even considered as a posting here? Well Mr Jeff Burar, think you just cost yourself and business connections some customers and clients…. sorry!!
The bridge crew has been beaten from one to time by young people of this town and nothing is done to address it. The bridge crew also shovels snow or cleans up if businesses are willing to help them out occasionally they pan handle but mostly pick bottles. The fact is they “Te bruise drew” deal with racism and intolerance on a daily basis perhaps Jef needs some enlightenment about the last 150 years of oppressive nature of Canada and its settlerS, the IRS experiment etc etc etc
IMO HP can use some aboriginal awareness and kairos blanket exercise not to mention some lessons in empathy and respect….I’m here anytime you needs some educating … on the meantime do you can’t reapect your fellow man then The problem is within
Funny things about comments on FB. There isn’t ONE mention of race in the column. Many FB posters have so much time to waste reading trash talk on FB they should spare a few moments to actually know what they are talking about. Many posters should take time to actually read the column. It’s right above here.
Anybody who knows the Bridge Crew knows its a mixed bag of ethnics over the years. The saying about “The skunk is the first one to smell it” sure seems to be ringing true for those shouting racism.
How many of the wonderful people outraged over this are volunteering to take some of these homeless in for a day or two or a week? All of you? Fantastic. Post your names on FB so everybody will know what a great person you are. Don’t be shy or humble. Your stepping forward might encourage others to do the same.
If you don’t have room, phone the MITAA center in High Prairie. Leave a nice donation so they can help out. Or the Food Bank. Make sure your BIG donation is earmarked for the crew and nobody else. It goes against the “tough love” advocated in the column. But hey, make that your choice if you are really, really that upset. Or are you just a bag of hot air?
If we all work together on this, instead of throwing crap around and running crazy in the streets, maybe we could make the world a better place. Heading down this silly road some people want to do means so far, it ain’t happening.
…or u can just leave them be and go about your day. Everyone else does. Other than pissing u off by existing, Marvin, George and Clayton do no harm to anyone. They certainly dont mind your business for you so maybe you should do the same.
I find this article ridiculously callous and insensitive, who had the bright idea to pen this garbage?! Yes we have individuals who choose to spend their time on our streets and yes, sometimes they are intoxicated. But they rarely if ever make trouble and are usually more than willing to help others. And as for implying that they are a nuisance to local businesses? Do some research. I cannot even count the times when I’ve come to work on cold mornings to find the sidewalks already beautifully cleared for ourselves and our patrons. I don’t see anyone from our local newspaper rushing out to help people shovel at 6am.
I so agree Jen couldn’t of said it better mtself