Bellingham, the ugly truth.... (Seattle, Spokane: 2013, loans, campsites)

[rkcarguy]

I went through the crime report in detail during lunch, a lot of it definitely is connected to the homeless. It's no secret where the homeless camps are in town, and the trespass, theft, burglary, drugs, domestic violence, public indecency(assuming homeless taking a #1 or #2 in the street/park, wherever), are all centralized around the areas of these camps and it's actually many areas in town. It looks like the police and jail system is staying pretty busy dealing with it all.

[xPlorer48]

Originally Posted by rkcarguy

Which city council person was this and do you have the link to the video?

I will try to find it when we return home from a camping trip. I will pm you. Intermittent cell signal.

[Baldy]

The bum who knocked out all the windows at the Orleans Street post office because he wanted more money. That was an eye opener for many of the clueless people in town. One lady told me, while waiting in line at the p.o., that they bought a Bellingham retirement house sight unseen. Now they are selling it after one year.

[Swampoid13]

Originally Posted by Baldy

The bum who knocked out all the windows at the Orleans Street post office because he wanted more money. That was an eye opener for many of the clueless people in town. One lady told me, while waiting in line at the p.o., that they bought a Bellingham retirement house sight unseen. Now they are selling it after one year.

I don't blame them. A lot of these people are looking for the Bellingham of 15 years ago and when they get here the reality of the situation hits em in the jaw.

[rkcarguy]

Originally Posted by Swampoid13

I don't blame them. A lot of these people are looking for the Bellingham of 15 years ago and when they get here the reality of the situation hits em in the jaw.

That Bellingham is long gone. We're more of a mini-Seattle now with the homeless, crime, traffic, high cost of living.....everything except Seattle's average wages. We come in at a little over HALF of Seattle's average family income. Word is that 42% of the population now lives in poverty here.

[Swampoid13]

Originally Posted by rkcarguy

That Bellingham is long gone. We're more of a mini-Seattle now with the homeless, crime, traffic, high cost of living.....everything except Seattle's average wages. We come in at a little over HALF of Seattle's average family income. Word is that 42% of the population now lives in poverty here.

I believe it. Most people I know here live below the poverty line.

[PartIrish]

Originally Posted by rkcarguy

That Bellingham is long gone. We're more of a mini-Seattle now with the homeless, crime, traffic, high cost of living.....everything except Seattle's average wages. We come in at a little over HALF of Seattle's average family income. Word is that 42% of the population now lives in poverty here.

Based on U.S. Census data from July 2018, 21 percent of people in Bellingham live below the poverty line. Still higher than the U.S. average and higher than it should be, but far lower than 42 percent.

https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/be...citywashington

[kynight]

I'm starting to believe Bellingham attracts the homeless because it's "progressive minded" and there are enough people here with money for panhandlers to make it worthwhile. Yesterday I was getting off from I-5 north and the ramp was getting backed up because an old guy was standing at the intersection with a sign "Homeless vet". 2 of the 3 cars (naive) in front of me gave him money/ cash. I felt a bit ticked off because I know he's raking in quite a bit of money while backing up traffic and causing a safety hazard from the highway. I've given my share of money to panhandlers but that is changing when I think how hard I work and how some of these homeless game the system to a whole new level. These sights are probably an embarrassment to other vets.

[FJhg]

Originally Posted by kynight

I'm starting to believe Bellingham attracts the homeless because it's "progressive minded" and there are enough people here with money for panhandlers to make it worthwhile. Yesterday I was getting off from I-5 north and the ramp was getting backed up because an old guy was standing at the intersection with a sign "Homeless vet". 2 of the 3 cars (naive) in front of me gave him money/ cash. I felt a bit ticked off because I know he's raking in quite a bit of money while backing up traffic and causing a safety hazard from the highway. I've given my share of money to panhandlers but that is changing when I think how hard I work and how some of these homeless game the system to a whole new level. These sights are probably an embarrassment to other vets.

I've always been a little skeptical of the logic of liberal areas attracting homeless. Being homeless by it's very nature means you are a drug addict, mentally unwell, or suffered some major economic blow or the like,

I don't think those type of people have the planning and drive to move to different states based on the benefits they might receive.

Or is it the areas creating homeless due to high paying jobs and therefore high costs of living?

I'm no expert on the subject but I find blaming it on liberal attitudes a little troubling, but hey, maybe it's true...

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by FJhg

I've always been a little skeptical of the logic of liberal areas attracting homeless. Being homeless by it's very nature means you are a drug addict, mentally unwell, or suffered some major economic blow or the like,

I don't think those type of people have the planning and drive to move to different states based on the benefits they might receive.

Or is it the areas creating homeless due to high paying jobs and therefore high costs of living?

I'm no expert on the subject but I find blaming it on liberal attitudes a little troubling, but hey, maybe it's true...

This. Given B'ham's and Seattle's reputation for rain, it's highly unlikely that homeless would choose to move there.