This page is dedicated to the various "safe" places around Springdale, AR that the homeless can stay, or hang out. I'll put in my two cents, but if anyone out there has any additional ideas/input please share with us here.
Because of some very strict trespassing rules this can be a very complicated issue, indeed. I would guess that I have been kicked off at least ten different spots (properties) since I began this venture. I was even arrested on one occassion! Nothing ever came of that incident except a comfy night in jail and a stern, "don't do that again." from the judge. That was outside a Harps grocery store after closing hours, so tip #1. Stay away from Harps, at least after closing hours. Tip #2. Generally, if you have a vehicle, any 24 hour business is fair game. The Wal-Mart super center comes to mind as a good spot as you at least have a bathroom close by. Tip #3. Stay away from all parks after close, vehicle or no vehicle. I'm not sure why but the homeless tend to gravitate towards parks...and the police know it! So, they patrol them vigorously. Tip #4 Regarding parks, what police won't do is get out of their cars and walk into the woods looking for homeless folks. So if you don't mind (even enjoy) boy scouting it between the trees under the stars go for it. Just be careful of watchful eyes when entering and exiting the woods. Oh, of course be careful of the weather. I'll touch on seasonal issues in a different page. Final tip #5. There is a place where a homeless person can find refuge from the elements, have a bathroom nearby, and a reasonably safe place to catch some z's. I'm talking about the 24 hour laundromat. I mention this with some trepidation because I truly get the feeling this one particular owner of 4 laundromats around Springdale is just truly being generous in allowing the homeless to hang out in his establishments. So, please, please if you find yourself lodging in one of these spots try to be as invisible as possible, i.e. behave yourself, keep your hands and your stuff to yourself, and don't ruin it for the rest of us. The owner has every right to ban anyone. Also keep in mind he has an extensive array of digital cameras...and they all work. believe me, he's shown me, they are very clear. If you come across a laundromat not so agreeable to the homeless at least pretend to do laundry by putting some clothes in a roller basket. Oh, don't sleep in any laundromat while an attendant is on duty. That's actually the final tip #6. That's pretty much the scope of my knowledge on this topic. Any added tips from you would be much appreciated!
Just a quick note about hanging out at the 24 hour Wal-mart. I just spoke with a newly homeless guy who was staying in his vehicle that was asked by the Springdale police to leave. So, I guess be careful or have a good back out plan ready if you must stay there.
Another place to at least start looking for a place to stay while looking for a good job is the Springdale Housing Authority. Address: 5 Applegate Dr. Phone: 479.751.0560. Hours: m-f 730A-1200 and 100-430p. Web:http://www.springdalehousingauthority.com/. Many more details at the web site.
This next mention is more of an experience than advice but if anyone has any tips, please let me know. Anyway, it regards the use of a pop up tent. Ideally, you should be able to walk in to the woods, set up your tent away from the peering public, spend the night, get up and go...repeat. My experience wasn't so pleasant. I had just been released (kicked to the curb) from Northwest hospital with a cane and a "Good luck". To make a long story short I made it to wal-mart, bought the smallest tent they had, and a nice sleeping bag. I set up camp in some dense woods just beside an unpopular park. This was a painful endeavor, but I was proud because I felt I did a good job of camouflaging it. After a good night's sleep I wake and walk to the library where I spend most of my day. I leave around 5:00pm, bushwhack to "Camp Andy" and guess what? It was gone! Every bit! The tent, my sleeping bag, and whatever food I had left. The clincher, they left five things: Five metal tent stakes! How about that? I'm sure there is a better way to tent squat or whatever you want to call it. I've met others who have done it, so if you want to give me and I'm sure some others in the homeless crowd some tips on "Tenting" it, please let us know!!!! Thanks, Andy
This page is dedicated to the various "safe" places around Springdale, AR that the homeless can stay, or hang out. I'll put in my two cents, but if anyone out there has any additional ideas/input please share with us here.
Because of some very strict trespassing rules this can be a very complicated issue, indeed. I would guess that I have been kicked off at least ten different spots (properties) since I began this venture. I was even arrested on one occassion! Nothing ever came of that incident except a comfy night in jail and a stern, "don't do that again." from the judge. That was outside a Harps grocery store after closing hours, so tip #1. Stay away from Harps, at least after closing hours. Tip #2. Generally, if you have a vehicle, any 24 hour business is fair game. The Wal-Mart super center comes to mind as a good spot as you at least have a bathroom close by. Tip #3. Stay away from all parks after close, vehicle or no vehicle. I'm not sure why but the homeless tend to gravitate towards parks...and the police know it! So, they patrol them vigorously. Tip #4 Regarding parks, what police won't do is get out of their cars and walk into the woods looking for homeless folks. So if you don't mind (even enjoy) boy scouting it between the trees under the stars go for it. Just be careful of watchful eyes when entering and exiting the woods. Oh, of course be careful of the weather. I'll touch on seasonal issues in a different page. Final tip #5. There is a place where a homeless person can find refuge from the elements, have a bathroom nearby, and a reasonably safe place to catch some z's. I'm talking about the 24 hour laundromat. I mention this with some trepidation because I truly get the feeling this one particular owner of 4 laundromats around Springdale is just truly being generous in allowing the homeless to hang out in his establishments. So, please, please if you find yourself lodging in one of these spots try to be as invisible as possible, i.e. behave yourself, keep your hands and your stuff to yourself, and don't ruin it for the rest of us. The owner has every right to ban anyone. Also keep in mind he has an extensive array of digital cameras...and they all work. believe me, he's shown me, they are very clear. If you come across a laundromat not so agreeable to the homeless at least pretend to do laundry by putting some clothes in a roller basket. Oh, don't sleep in any laundromat while an attendant is on duty. That's actually the final tip #6. That's pretty much the scope of my knowledge on this topic. Any added tips from you would be much appreciated!
ReplyDeleteJust a quick note about hanging out at the 24 hour Wal-mart. I just spoke with a newly homeless guy who was staying in his vehicle that was asked by the Springdale police to leave. So, I guess be careful or have a good back out plan ready if you must stay there.
DeleteAnother place to at least start looking for a place to stay while looking for a good job is the Springdale Housing Authority. Address: 5 Applegate Dr. Phone: 479.751.0560. Hours: m-f 730A-1200 and 100-430p. Web:http://www.springdalehousingauthority.com/. Many more details at the web site.
ReplyDeleteThis next mention is more of an experience than advice but if anyone has any tips, please let me know. Anyway, it regards the use of a pop up tent. Ideally, you should be able to walk in to the woods, set up your tent away from the peering public, spend the night, get up and go...repeat. My experience wasn't so pleasant.
ReplyDeleteI had just been released (kicked to the curb) from Northwest hospital with a cane and a "Good luck". To make a long story short I made it to wal-mart, bought the smallest tent they had, and a nice sleeping bag. I set up camp in some dense woods just beside an unpopular park. This was a painful endeavor, but I was proud because I felt I did a good job of camouflaging it. After a good night's sleep I wake and walk to the library where I spend most of my day. I leave around 5:00pm, bushwhack to "Camp Andy" and guess what? It was gone! Every bit! The tent, my sleeping bag, and whatever food I had left. The clincher, they left five things: Five metal tent stakes! How about that? I'm sure there is a better way to tent squat or whatever you want to call it. I've met others who have done it, so if you want to give me and I'm sure some others in the homeless crowd some tips on "Tenting" it, please let us know!!!!
Thanks,
Andy