A confrontation with a knife-wielding junkie at Occupy Boston and rampant thefts have tensions simmering between the protesters and the homeless, prompting Mayor Thomas M. Menino’s predecessor to say it’s high time for police to clear the tent city.
“It’s causing disruptions to public order,” former Mayor Raymond L. Flynn told the Herald. “They should have been given one day — 24 hours and that’s it. They have to be removed.”
Asked how he’d handle the encampment — which Menino has been willing to tolerate so far — Flynn said: “I’d walk down there with the police commissioner and I’d say, ‘Look, you’ve done your thing, but please respect the laws of this city. It’s time to pack up, clean up and leave.’”
Flynn’s tough talk comes amid the reported rape of a 19-year-old female college student at an Occupy camp in Cleveland and the knife play in Dewey Square in Boston on Sunday.
According to a Boston police report, a disgruntled homeless man got into an argument at 6:15 p.m. with Occupiers because he “had nowhere to stay.” The man urinated on a tent and then allegedly pulled a knife on a group of 10 shocked protesters. No one was stabbed but several protesters later told cops they felt “threatened” by the incident.
Cops assigned to the site grabbed the man, searched him and found a hypodermic needle and a knife. The blade was seized, but the alleged victims would not provide their names to police, so the man was not arrested, police said.
“Vigilant officers intervened in the situation and quickly de-escalated it,” Boston police spokeswoman Elaine Driscoll said.
Menino yesterday downplayed the problems, repeating that the demonstrators can stay as long as they are peaceful. He said he’s not concerned about police costs. “It is not right now a drain on resources,” he said.
The incident highlights an emerging rift between the Occupiers and homeless, who have moved into the tent city to feast on freebies. Occupy protesters and a law enforcement source said cellphones, laptops and other items have been swiped from tents, but Driscoll said the department has received no reports of robberies.
“The homeless people are down there lurking around,” a law-enforcement source told the Herald. “Some of them are mentally ill and criminally insane. The potential is there for problems.”
Demonstrator Andrew Warner, 36, said homeless people are hijacking tents, getting drunk, “passing out” and stealing.
“It’s turning into us against them,” Warner said. “They come in here and they’re looking at it as a way of getting a free meal and a place to crash, which is totally fine, but they don’t bring anything to the table at all. It gets really frustrating.”
Jackson Bush, manning the Occupy information tent yesterday, said some homeless people have been hoarding free items, including donated coats.
“We do have homeless people and people addicted to drugs who need to steal things,” Bush said. “They’re getting more than they need and trading it off. What we noticed is all the new jackets are disappearing quickly.”
2011年10月20日星期四
2011年10月7日星期五
Last person inside site of house fire arrested for drug possession
Last person inside site of house fire arrested for drug possession, counterfeit money
On the same day his apartment was destroyed by fire, a Wilkes-Barre man was arrested for possession of heroin, crack cocaine and $920 in counterfeit cash, police said.
Following the devastating fire at 57-59 S. Fulton St. early Wednesday, authorities had been looking to locate Louis M. Alston. He was the last person known to be home at his side of the double-block, officials and neighbors said.
Wilkes-Barre police encountered Alston, 38, around 8:15 p.m. at 35 N. Welles St. after responding to a report of a wanted person who struck someone with a bottle, police said.
Upon arrival, police saw a man climb over a fence and flee. Police then watched Alston throw money and drugs over a porch railing. He was then detained. Investigators collected the items, which included money, two bags of crack, four bags of heroin and a hypodermic needle. Police searched Alston and found two more bags of crack, five bags of heroin and a hypodermic needle. Police determined the money, which amounted to $920, was counterfeit, police said.
Alston was charged with forgery, possession of crack and heroin, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was jailed in lieu of $20,000 cash bail and also on a warrant for a state parole violation.
Alston listed his address as 57 S. Fulton St., police said. That side of the double-block property was gutted by fire that erupted Wednesday around 4:30 a.m. and was the focus of the daylong fire probe.
At the scene of the fire, Phyllis Davis, 29, said Alston was the father of her children and occasionally lived there. She said she got into a fight with him days before the fire, and left to a friend's house with her children. Neighbors, the landlord and officials said Alston had been home prior to the fire, but could not be located afterward.
On the same day his apartment was destroyed by fire, a Wilkes-Barre man was arrested for possession of heroin, crack cocaine and $920 in counterfeit cash, police said.
Following the devastating fire at 57-59 S. Fulton St. early Wednesday, authorities had been looking to locate Louis M. Alston. He was the last person known to be home at his side of the double-block, officials and neighbors said.
Wilkes-Barre police encountered Alston, 38, around 8:15 p.m. at 35 N. Welles St. after responding to a report of a wanted person who struck someone with a bottle, police said.
Upon arrival, police saw a man climb over a fence and flee. Police then watched Alston throw money and drugs over a porch railing. He was then detained. Investigators collected the items, which included money, two bags of crack, four bags of heroin and a hypodermic needle. Police searched Alston and found two more bags of crack, five bags of heroin and a hypodermic needle. Police determined the money, which amounted to $920, was counterfeit, police said.
Alston was charged with forgery, possession of crack and heroin, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was jailed in lieu of $20,000 cash bail and also on a warrant for a state parole violation.
Alston listed his address as 57 S. Fulton St., police said. That side of the double-block property was gutted by fire that erupted Wednesday around 4:30 a.m. and was the focus of the daylong fire probe.
At the scene of the fire, Phyllis Davis, 29, said Alston was the father of her children and occasionally lived there. She said she got into a fight with him days before the fire, and left to a friend's house with her children. Neighbors, the landlord and officials said Alston had been home prior to the fire, but could not be located afterward.
2011年9月4日星期日
Southcoast Blood Bank wants to increase local supply
In his role as a paramedic and firefighter, Mark Pavao doesn’t think twice about treating people with serious injuries. The sight of blood is a common occurrence in his profession.
“I can draw blood,” said Pavao, who works in Somerset. “I’ve been in the ER. As long as I am in control of the needle, I’m OK.”
It’s when the tables are turned that the Swansea resident becomes a little squeamish. Pavao starts to break out in a sweat when he gets blood drawn. He is not even a fan of getting his finger pricked for a blood test.
Despite his reservations, Pavao began donating blood five years ago. There was a drive at the Somerset Ambulance Building and Pavao recruited one of his co-workers to come along with him to donate. He gritted his way through it and has been coming back every time the Southcoast Health Van pays a visit. Pavao is closing in on his first gallon.
“I know the importance of it,” said Pavao. “There are people that get hurt. I’ve been doing my job since 2000 and I’ve seen a lot of patients that needed blood.”
Pavao is typically one of the first people to sign up when a blood drive is happening. He also serves as recruiter, rounding up prospective donors.
“I’m a stickler for giving blood,” said Pavao. “I’ll ask around and try to get other people to donate. I’ve convinced some people to give it a shot just so they can see me give.”
Even though he has never received blood personally, Pavao dutifully donates because he feels it’s another way to lend a hand to those in need.
“It’s not the benefit of yourself, it’s the benefit of helping other people,” Pavao said. “By helping others it goes a long way.”
Southcoast Hospitals' donor program coordinator Catherine Alegria wishes there were more Mark Pavaos out there. Through local donations, the Southcoast Blood Bank collects 37 percent of the blood it needs to treat patients. The rest of the blood must be purchased from the national supply.
In times of crisis, like the recent hurricane or during the 9/11 tragedy, the national blood supply is used up quickly. The more blood Southcoast has in its reserves, the less it has to tap in to the national supply. “If we can get it from our own community we don’t have to worry about the national blood supply,” said Alegria. “That frees it up to go elsewhere.”
Alegria said every pint donated at a Southcoast blood drive stays within the hospital system. To serve as an incentive, the Blood Bank will be giving away Southcoast Hospitals’ “I’m a Donor” T-shirts to anyone who gives blood during the month of September.
The entire process takes between 20 and 30 minutes, including a screening prior to the donation. Anyone interested in giving can visit the Southcoast Blood Bank located at 101 Page Street in New Bedford. The blood bank is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Evening hours are available on Wednesdays until 7:30 p.m.
“I can draw blood,” said Pavao, who works in Somerset. “I’ve been in the ER. As long as I am in control of the needle, I’m OK.”
It’s when the tables are turned that the Swansea resident becomes a little squeamish. Pavao starts to break out in a sweat when he gets blood drawn. He is not even a fan of getting his finger pricked for a blood test.
Despite his reservations, Pavao began donating blood five years ago. There was a drive at the Somerset Ambulance Building and Pavao recruited one of his co-workers to come along with him to donate. He gritted his way through it and has been coming back every time the Southcoast Health Van pays a visit. Pavao is closing in on his first gallon.
“I know the importance of it,” said Pavao. “There are people that get hurt. I’ve been doing my job since 2000 and I’ve seen a lot of patients that needed blood.”
Pavao is typically one of the first people to sign up when a blood drive is happening. He also serves as recruiter, rounding up prospective donors.
“I’m a stickler for giving blood,” said Pavao. “I’ll ask around and try to get other people to donate. I’ve convinced some people to give it a shot just so they can see me give.”
Even though he has never received blood personally, Pavao dutifully donates because he feels it’s another way to lend a hand to those in need.
“It’s not the benefit of yourself, it’s the benefit of helping other people,” Pavao said. “By helping others it goes a long way.”
Southcoast Hospitals' donor program coordinator Catherine Alegria wishes there were more Mark Pavaos out there. Through local donations, the Southcoast Blood Bank collects 37 percent of the blood it needs to treat patients. The rest of the blood must be purchased from the national supply.
In times of crisis, like the recent hurricane or during the 9/11 tragedy, the national blood supply is used up quickly. The more blood Southcoast has in its reserves, the less it has to tap in to the national supply. “If we can get it from our own community we don’t have to worry about the national blood supply,” said Alegria. “That frees it up to go elsewhere.”
Alegria said every pint donated at a Southcoast blood drive stays within the hospital system. To serve as an incentive, the Blood Bank will be giving away Southcoast Hospitals’ “I’m a Donor” T-shirts to anyone who gives blood during the month of September.
The entire process takes between 20 and 30 minutes, including a screening prior to the donation. Anyone interested in giving can visit the Southcoast Blood Bank located at 101 Page Street in New Bedford. The blood bank is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Evening hours are available on Wednesdays until 7:30 p.m.
2011年4月11日星期一
Outreach program valuable
Del Thomson wants to get rid of the health region's Needle Safe Saskatoon because he thinks it's doing nothing to reduce HIV/AIDS.
Stopping the handout of needles and condoms, he seems to think, will surely stop all the bad behaviour.
Here's a news flash: People created the concept of selling sex and getting high before they created the concept of God. These are the follies of man.
Removing access to safe needles and condoms will greatly increase HIV/AIDS in our population. It is a tragedy that people do this to themselves, and it's even worse that some do it so irresponsibly.
However, Thomson doesn't seem to want to talk about the fact almost nine in 10 needles are safely returned to the evil van he mentions, as opposed to ending up on the streets.
It could be your pastor or neighbour, or your kid's teacher who visits the prostitutes. There is no profile for a john. Ask a cop. If these women don't have condoms provided by outreach workers, where is that infection coming home to?
I greatly thank SHR for reaching out to lend a caring, helping hand to people who probably wouldn't find it elsewhere.
Stopping the handout of needles and condoms, he seems to think, will surely stop all the bad behaviour.
Here's a news flash: People created the concept of selling sex and getting high before they created the concept of God. These are the follies of man.
Removing access to safe needles and condoms will greatly increase HIV/AIDS in our population. It is a tragedy that people do this to themselves, and it's even worse that some do it so irresponsibly.
However, Thomson doesn't seem to want to talk about the fact almost nine in 10 needles are safely returned to the evil van he mentions, as opposed to ending up on the streets.
It could be your pastor or neighbour, or your kid's teacher who visits the prostitutes. There is no profile for a john. Ask a cop. If these women don't have condoms provided by outreach workers, where is that infection coming home to?
I greatly thank SHR for reaching out to lend a caring, helping hand to people who probably wouldn't find it elsewhere.
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