Church Arrests Homeless

An article from the Associated Press:

November 11, 2008

CORVALLIS, Ore. -- Even a church cannot be a home to the homeless.

Police were called to First Christian Church in Corvallis recently to cite homeless men for drinking in public and camping on the property.

Although church officials have been tolerant of homeless men in the area for months, their patience had worn thin by Friday night, when a homeless man became combative.

Assistant City Manager Ellen Volmert said Monday the church requested targeted police enforcement in an Oct. 28 letter.

The church has attracted homeless people because it provides free meals, and because it gave permission for a few disabled transients to sleep there temporarily during the summer.

But Pastor John Evans said the property can't become a homeless camp.

It is true that most churches can't be a homeless camp. Most churches aren't prepared to deal with the arguments from the neighbors, and they wouldn't want to be responsible for the homeless who have substance abuse problems.

But is the answer calling the police? Can't the church deal with the problems that they invited themselves? Honestly, if you invite some responsible homeless to be security, many of the problems would be resolved.

When you get the police involved, you can actually be inviting more problems. See this story on http://www.nowheretolayhishead.org/fearofthehomeless.html