It seems our local media has been on a ‘look at how great the city is’ kick these days. Blaming bicyclists for poor planning of detours on the bike trail, and now patting themselves on the back over the transient issue, not so fast;
Because repeatedly, now, as I’ve walked throughout downtown Sioux Falls in essentially any direction, the difference is clear: The feeling on our streets has changed for the better.
While I would agree, the panhandling has been less in that 3 block strip on Phillips, the transient population HAS exploded this summer DTSF (in the fringes).
I ride almost every night DTSF after dark and I do a homeless count. The biggest night I had was 36. Most nights I count over 20. They hide at various parks and camp out on the fringes of DTSF. They absolutely love the Levitt space (because they have outlets to plug in their smart phones) Sure, they have been pushed out of the main drag, but they are seeping over into the neighborhoods around DTSF (some of the poorest in the city with very little police presence unless they are hiding on a break, that happens a lot). There is a picnic shelter close to my house on the bike trail that is literally a campground for around a dozen transients, and when the police chase them out, they are back the next night, same people, same spot.
I would encourage Jodi to take a ride with me at night, and SEE just where the police DTSF are pushing these folks. Because while the panhandling has been down, the population has exploded and the problem exists in the shadows. The SFPD, which I believe are responsible for eliminating the issue (they are called public safety officers, it is YOUR job to keep us safe, that means addressing the transient issue instead of playing whack-a-mole.)
I would give each transient approached by either a street team specialist, ambassador or an officer FIVE options;
• The LINK (ONLY option if they were extremely intoxicated). After DETOX, these four options will be available;
• A bus ticket back home.
• Stay with a friend or relative locally, and have them pick you up.
• Go to a shelter that would except them.
• Jail for trespassing, and after incarceration the three options above.
If we started being strict with these options, you would see the problem lessen, right now they are playing a game of whack-a-mole and just moving checkers around on a board. I think MOST of these options are compassionate and humane, and they actually work.
So Jodi, you can keep writing stories about how glorious DTSF is, or you can get on a bike with me and see the real issue.
A shelter that would except them from what? Or did you mean accept? English is such a hard language.
I spelled it wrong on purpose, because I knew your whiny ass would be on here bitching about it. A corrupt city government? Who cares. But using a wrong letter while talking about it, the crime of the century. Get a life, go back to watching CSI or Hallmark Hall of fame.
The Chamber Cheerleader gonna’ do (and write) Chamber Cheerleader things.
I’m curious why does Jodi’s opinion or writing holds any value in Sioux Falls? Do people not remember the only reason she got to be the chief of staff for Munson was because she was dating his son at the time? By the way – why don’t we change the name of Falls Park to “Paul’s Park”?
Citizen,
“Do people not remember …?”
If this is true, it is doubtful many of those who may have known at the time, remember it today (or form judgement based upon it).
Memories of voters and the public are pretty short when it comes to the pecadillos of elected officials and those around them.
The other reality of this is that of those who knew about that which you have written about the Munson administration, many thought it to be quaint (and dare I say, appropriate and normal). Kind of like our own little Camelot tales right here in Sioux Falls (and Pierre)
Remember, in South Dakota we not only accept and tolerate nepotism in our government officials, many endorse and celebrate nepotism.
The short memory of voters sort of explains how a former Attorney General (who, while AG, presided over a workplace hostile to females such that it drew judgement in federal court litigation; then stonewalled fulfillment of the court judgement until receiving a rebuke from a federal judge) can become Attorney General again and is regarded by some in the political party to be a legit candidate for U.S. Congress?
You didn’t spell it wrong, you used the wrong word. On purpose? Riiiiiiight. You calling someone else whiny made my day. You have a blog where all you do is whine about how much better you could do everything.
And yet you still come here and help my readership numbers, and then bitch anonymously about it. You know what I call anon commenters? Nobodies. Because if you can’t put your name behind an opinion or critique it means nothing. The truth will save you brother, if that is even possible. Does your cave have AC. As for whining it works, the city has implemented policies I have suggested over the years, this wasn’t by mistake. I’m n fact the council is proposing an amendment to this years budget that was my idea, and I think it will pass. So we can either sit on the sidelines and bitch anonymously or we can get stuff done.
I had no idea jodi used to date munson’s son. maybe that explains this: https://www.southdacola.com/blog/2010/03/mayor-munson-fires-chief-of-staff-jodi-schwan/