[NMCycling] Homeless under Montgomery on North Diversion Channel

Sat Jun 23 09:07:19 MDT 2018

While we're at it, we should call in a complaint regarding those groups of
cyclists "impeding" traffic on the roadways.

On Sat, Jun 23, 2018 at 8:58 AM Javi via Bike-racers <
bike-racers at mailman.swcp.com> wrote:

> I concur with you Benjamin. :)
>
>
>
> Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
>
> -------- Original message --------
> From: Benjamin George via Bike-racers <bike-racers at mailman.swcp.com>
> Date: 6/23/18 7:05 AM (GMT-07:00)
> To: Tovarh <tovarh at comcast.net>
> Cc: bike-racers at swcp.com
> Subject: Re: [NMCycling] Homeless under Montgomery on North Diversion
> Channel
>
> Homeless people have a right to public space. Homeless people are
> statistically the recipients of violence as opposed to the perpetrators. I
> always encounter homeless folks on my rides, say hi and smile and the
> salutations are returned in kind. We have a huge homeless problem in town,
> yes. But rather than moving homeless people around to accommodate yourself,
> call Wells Fargo or J.P. Morgan and complain about the housing crisis
> rather than looking at its symptoms. And if you call the mayor tell him to
> fund more affordable low-income housing and mental health and addiction
> services rather than law enforcement—they only worsen such problems as
> evidenced by the murder of james Boyd. This conversation comes up a lot.
> You have a home, be thankful, just take another route if you are fearful.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Jun 22, 2018, at 8:21 PM, Tovarh via Bike-racers <
> bike-racers at mailman.swcp.com> wrote:
>
> Craig,
> I work at UNM (Army ROTC) and use this path almost daily (biking, running
> and foot marching). The homeless in this area is a huge problem. Numerous
> times over the last 12 months they have harassed the cadets and challenged
> me while commuting. APD was on site about 2 months ago but to no avail.
> I will call on Monday and echo your concerns.
> Thanks
> Hector Tovar
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Jun 22, 2018, at 4:09 PM, Craig M. Doolittle via Bike-racers <
> bike-racers at mailman.swcp.com> wrote:
>
> Hello,
>
>
>
> As many of you know there is a persistent and consistent problem of
> homeless under the Montgomery underpass on the North Diversion Channel
> multi-use path.  My opinion is that this is because the underpass is only a
> block or so east of the I-25/Montgomery intersection which is heavily
> worked by panhandlers.  I believe they work that intersection in shifts and
> take shelter/breaks in the underpass.
>
>
>
> I regularly commute on this trail and have always been worried in that
> area.  I always make it a point to say hello and am always friendly.
> Hopefully they will get to recognize me and be nice in return.  Most of
> them are friendly, the regulars often saying hello to me back.  However,
> some of them are clearly not friendly and make other comments to me.   If
> one person were to shoulder check a bike rider, the rider would most likely
> crash and be stunned.  That opens up the opportunity for the rider to be
> beaten and robbed before they have regained their senses.
>
>
>
> One night last week there were about a dozen homeless in the underpass, 3
> of them clearly inebriated and arguing with each other right in the middle
> of the path.  After carefully making my way through I took the time to call
> 242-COPS and file a report and request the police clear the path.  The
> police keep track of incoming calls and keep statistics on them.  I also
> called 311.  The 311 operator suggested I call the police.  I informed her
> that I had already done that, and she suggested she could take a complaint
> report and provide it to Parks and Rec, who she said were in charge of the
> bike paths (is that true?).  However, I was specific with her that I wanted
> to file a complaint and I wanted it forwarded to the mayor’s office.  Today
> I received a phone call from Thomas Tozier from the Mayor’s Constitute
> Office to discuss my complaint.  I explained everything to him and told him
> I wanted an increased police presence in that area to remove the homeless
> form the trail and make it safe for users.  I acknowledged the work the
> city has/was doing on bike paths/lanes, the 50 mile loop, etc., but also
> pointed out that if someone was mugged or worse in that underpass that it
> would drastically undercut the city’s effort at promoting bicycles.
>
>
>
> I would like to encourage all of you to call BOTH the police and the
> mayor’s office (311 and request complaint be forwarded to mayor’s office)
> each and every time there is a group under the bridge.  Perhaps if there
> are enough complaints, something may get done.
>
>
>
> I don’t want to get into any arguments regarding homeless, panhandlers,
> etc.  There are shelters and organizations in the city willing to help
> those in need.  They don’t need to be sleeping on the trails, standing in
> large groups in the middle of the path etc.  I am sure they have rights,
> but so do I, and a right to be reasonably safe on the path is one of mine.
>
>
>
> Craig
>
>
>
>
>
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