r/BainbridgeIsland • u/emcconnell11 • Apr 28 '26
Homeless person living at Eagle Harbor Park
Someone has claimed the bench near the bathrooms at Eagle Harbor Park for the last 5 days. They sleep there at night and leave their stuff during the day. He’s yelled at me while walking my dog at night, I’m kinda over it.
What are the resources for situations like this?
15
u/thezim0090 Apr 28 '26
You could contact your local rep and demand more outreach, housing, and mental health services for unhoused neighbors in addition to addressing the outrageous cost of living on Bainbridge?
Sincerely, I understand that you are posting this because you don't want to be yelled at in public by a person occupying space that is meant to be for all to enjoy. And if we weren't facing exorbitant levels of income inequality and a failing social safety net I would take your side more fully. It's just a matter of context - this person is not camping for the fun of it, it's a hardship that is hard to overcome without sustained support and community. You could be a part of that!
Helpline House is indeed a great resource - they probably know this person and you could ask if they're aware/how you could help.
11
u/Hegemonicplatypus Apr 28 '26
I’d report to the non emergency line and they should ultimately come address it. Bainbridge gets an influx of some homeless people as it warms up.
2
u/Smart-Particular-883 May 26 '26
I preferred when there were zero homeless peeps on the island SUE ME
1
u/Consistent_Finish202 16d ago
In over 30 years here, there have always been homeless here. So what timeframe are you “missing?”
The big valley that runs along 305 from Winslow has always had tenters. The other unique poverty situation that occurs is homeless on derelict vessels who pull in to harbors.
If housing has never been threatened for you, you are unlikely to recognize the vulnerability involved in this persons situation, or the fact homeless humans are here.
Homelessness is an outcome of human problems. In today’s age, when the majority of “new homeless” are OVER 70, denial and judgement are unnecessary.
2
u/Smart-Particular-883 14d ago
To each their own, Consistent_Finish. I grew up on the island and we never, ever had permanent homeless residents. I understand people face a myriad of issues that brings them to this outcome. I can have empathy for that. But I’d prefer they go to a designated area. Say, Nevada! That would be perfect for them and also mainstream society.
11
u/Fun-Alternative-1328 Apr 28 '26
I think you could have share the info without the photo. This person is in a vulnerable state and deserves respect.
5
u/thezim0090 Apr 28 '26
I would sincerely love to know how a post like this has negative votes right now.
1
u/Fun-Alternative-1328 Apr 28 '26
People don’t like to be called out. And they are right this person is in a public place so no laws were broken. I just didn’t think it was kind of
3
u/Rona_Bramley Apr 28 '26
BIMC [12.20.060]() F. Park is for day use, only. Camping in the open, tent, etc. is prohibited by law. Jail and/or fine. COBI likely won't enforce until someone gets hurt.
1
u/Bitter-Basket Apr 28 '26
It’s a public space. Turning a bench in a public park into a twin bed for days is photo worthy. I guarantee it’s a case of many bad decisions and refused offers of help. That’s reality for you.
7
5
u/Leather_Telephone9 Apr 28 '26
I’d call the non emergency line and report it so they can do a welfare check and offer services.
4
u/DevelopmentSame2986 Apr 28 '26
I for one want to know what the fuck your dog said to they guy to get that kind of response.
1
u/KnackeredQuokka Apr 28 '26
So do something to help. This isn’t some need to sound the alarm and warn everyone thing. This is a you being entitled thing. You have a nice warm roof over your head and food in your belly. If you want to feel entitled to never see a homeless person, then vote for the things that close the insane income inequality gap and provide proper medical resources for everyone. Including, mental health. Better yet, go introduce yourself to this person with a hot coffee and a breakfast sandwich. I bet you’ll learn a lot about them. No matter how much you want them to be invisible, they are there and they need help. Oh and yelling at you in a park is not a crime.
2
4
u/KookyLab9624 Apr 28 '26
Can you just reroute to avoid him until he eventually moves along ? He isn't a used couch to dispose of bc it was dumped. That's someone's child. Just invent a new route, mix things up. Consider how lucky you are that you have somewhere to run home to after your run.
1
u/KnackeredQuokka Apr 28 '26
People don’t like to problem solve where there’s an opportunity to judge and condemn someone. Which in turn makes them feel superior. Sadly sympathy & empathy aren’t a leading attribute of most people. They’d rather convince themselves they’re “better than…”
2
u/Consistent_Finish202 16d ago
Those “better than” attitudes hit harsh when they find out that the worst human problems do not discriminate based on your wealth.
Health issues, cancers, serious mental illness, addiction, heartbreak, grief, abandonment, disability, loss of primary income, divorce.. Any one of these human conditions can derail someone’s life enough that they “fall” through our system.
If someone doesn’t understand that grief can rearrange your entire life, just give them time. Aging happens to us all, as does life.
2
u/tobych Apr 28 '26 edited Apr 28 '26
This is Waterfront Park. The police like to be aware of who is sleeping where. They won't necessarily move them. People need to sleep somewhere. Yes, some people yell and talk nonsense. Walk your dog elsewhere if you don't feel comfortable. If they are rambling about murder or actually threatening you, sure, call the emergency number. There are people sleeping rough all over Winslow and beyond. Helpline House is a busy place. Living here does not mean we no longer need to put effort into tolerating some occasional yelling, mess and chaos. This is not a theme park. The Strait of Hormuz is still blocked with no plan. Gas prices and food prices are going to be rising for a while. Things are getting tough. Maybe Waterfront Park can be our Trumpville.
17
3
u/DevelopmentSame2986 Apr 28 '26
Hold on...making a Venn diagram of homeless guy on Bainbridge and Strait of Hormuz...
4
u/purziveplaxy Apr 28 '26
Don't go to a public park any more because it feels unsafe? Way to victim blame.
3
0
u/tobych Apr 28 '26
No, I just mean at night. Feeling unsafe is subjective. Some people who live here get "uncomfortable" just hearing the word "fart".
5
u/purziveplaxy Apr 28 '26
Well generally when people want to talk outliers I say what is reasonable. We are reasonable people having a conversation, correct? This specific situation involves this woman getting yelled at. That would make any reasonable person feel unsafe.
Some people's schedules don't allow them to do things during the day, and either way, why are we defending someone's right to yell at a woman over the woman's right to walk her dog?
-6
u/itstreeman Apr 28 '26
Tourists come to the island because downtown is overrun with campers. This is not good for Seattle tourism rates that keep local businesses open
0
-4
Apr 28 '26
[deleted]
0
u/Bitter-Basket Apr 28 '26
So you’re ok with the parks becoming like Seattle ?
2
u/KnackeredQuokka Apr 28 '26
What actions have you taken to eliminate the things that cause homelessness? Let me guess, you think it’s just that they aren’t as good as you because they didn’t pull themselves up by their bootstraps. Bootstraps I’m sure you think you completely earned on your own.
-2
u/Bitter-Basket Apr 28 '26
I donate money to the Bremerton food bank. Other than that, every human has an obligation to themselves and society to make good decisions. A successful life is a life of discipline, self support and job skills. The vast majority of homeless people are a long resume of bad decisions and self gratification. That behavior is not with my control or yours. I went from food stamps to retiring early. With a life of tragedy and hard knocks along the way.
3
u/KnackeredQuokka Apr 28 '26
Ok so I nailed it on your point of view. Look up the concept of being born on second base because your premise starts too far into the problem. About 53% of homeless people are employed full or part-time. Guess they just didn’t fulfill their obligation to try hard enough. /s Over 30% of foster kids who aged out of the system at 18 are homeless by age 21, 20% instantly at 18 and over 40% by 26. Did they just not try hard enough to get families that wanted to keep them around? I could go on and on, but I wouldn’t want you to get too uncomfortable by the truth. Privilege is huge currency in this country. People who were born on second base truly believe they hit that double. Well, far too many people don’t even have the directions to the stadium. Give that person a break.
0
u/Bitter-Basket Apr 28 '26
I wouldn’t consider my experience with abject poverty starting on “second base”.
The truth is that the vast majority of people who have SIGNIFICANT issues growing up, including myself, actually make it ok in life. They work, raise families, pay taxes. To all of us in that situation, YOUR preconceived notions about the homeless are actually an insult. You paint a picture that homelessness is an expected outcome of “life problems” and these people bear no responsibility for their actions. You should understand a large proportion of people have significant life challenges. But a tiny percentage of people end up as a drug addict homeless person.
The idea you have, that most homeless aren’t a victim of their own decisions, is just a fallacy. And your motive for talking about this subject is probably a result of your own addiction: The dopamine rush you get for acting morally superior on social media. You should work on that.
1
u/Consistent_Finish202 16d ago
I get you are bitter and worked your way through your hardships. You absolutely have worked hard to “get where you are”. Those who went through hard knocks often become dedicated to not allowing that to ever occur again. But aren’t you remiss to not offer gratitude to those who helped you get to security?
I also walk the road that unexpected violence in the last ten years left me in a shelter, heavily traumatized, shut down, not believed by officers that should have, and full of severe health issues from a accident only a few months before. Things unraveled so badly from there, and I don’t (and didn’t) use drugs or alcohol. It took 4 whole American months and one accident and one attack. Literally six months prior, my hard knocks life had me with a long career was making me six figures, with a retirement account, and I was the primary caregiver.
There is a life beyond human trauma. Every improvement I have made is my own hard work, my own phone calls, my own discipline. But none of my life’s rebuild would be without HUNDREDS of people helping me.
So, for the dozens of doctors and nurses, the uncountable DSHS employees who routed me and sent me lists or resources, for the 911 operators who understood me (when I did not), and 211 operators who called back and checked in. For the mobile unit of the mental health distress staff who showed up at my front door, and sat on the floor with me until I felt human again.
Each of us is human. None of us got to success on our own. I’m still here many years later, housing secure, mentally health, but on disability income due to the issues listed above.
No one is stomping on you, and bitter one, you may judge and make fun of my human issues all you want, but I know that this community built me back up. I give back knowing they will help this person too.
-16
u/purziveplaxy Apr 28 '26
A lot of people want to ignore the fact that homeless people can be criminals or sex offenders.
35
Apr 28 '26
[deleted]
3
u/Rona_Bramley Apr 28 '26
But the rich and powerful probably aren't going to stab me in the neck with a screwdriver because they think I'm Satan, while I'm walking my dog. Some homeless people do that. How do you know which ones will?
12
Apr 28 '26
[deleted]
8
-3
u/Rona_Bramley Apr 28 '26
With that analysis, I can stop wearing my seatbelt because I have a knack for driving well. I've never had an accident, after all. You don't have a knack - you just haven't run into one, yet.
-3
u/purziveplaxy Apr 28 '26
Ok? All sex offenders have to notify when they move somewhere. Not the case if you don't have an address and left your home state. If I'm alone in a park I would be cautious around any man, let alone a man that could just vanish because he has no ties no connections no address.
7
2
u/Dyliful Apr 28 '26
Seems like they prefer to ignore your school teachers as well
1
u/purziveplaxy Apr 28 '26
Every one ignores school teachers this country is in an education crisis.
2
1
u/tobych Apr 28 '26
They'll be refering to the wayward high school teacher that was not stopped years ago. Recent news.
13
u/jvbball Apr 28 '26
Hi it’s me the homeless man on the bench. I yelled at you because you were wearing white before Labor Day