An inside look at homeless "Tent City"
Posted : Dec 7, 2009 4:28 PM
Updated: Jan 11, 2010 5:18 PM
Troy is one of literally hundreds of homeless who live along banks of Fountain Creek. Sub zero temperatures make every day along the creek bed a living hell. "We're trying to eat, keep warm and survive until the next day," he says.
Troy tells us every penny he gets is spent on supplies like a propane tank and a burner. He does whatever it takes to stay warm and feels incredibly lucky. "There are a lot of people out here who are not as fortunate as I am. I'm fortunate. I got a propane tank and a burner. A lot of these people out here don't have that," he says.
A proposed city ordinance aims to ban anyone from setting up camp on city property. "They're going to screw me. That's what I think," explains Troy. "If they pass that law I'm not going to be able to survive here. They're going to take what little here I got and take it away."
He says he knows many normal citizens aren't fond of the tent cities but many of those down there don't have a choice. "Are we so bad that you can't take it? You can't stand to look at us?" he pleads.
Without an ID, Troy says that could leave him without a place to go. "If you aint got an ID, guess what? You're f**ked," he says. And despite all of this, he still proudly flies our country's flag near his snow covered tent. "I fly this flag no matter what," he says. "As long as this flies, you'll be alright. At least I hope so."
As night falls, Troy will do all he can to stay warm. It's all he knows. His struggle is only one of hundreds that play out every night along the creek beds of Colorado Springs.
pinky40 at Dec 8th 2009 12:11 PM
Looking at today's weather our hearts should go out to the people living in tent city. I know mine does!! None of those people are out to hurt anyone. We all should be trying to help instead of evicting them from their only home they have. It's sad that we help people in other countrise but we can't even help those who live around us. What does that say about us, except we choose to look the other way. I would love to get a group of people who really care and do something for them.
Stacey at Dec 9th 2009 7:25 AM
I am with Pinky on this one. I live in Fountain and admit to being a bit naive on this issue. I had no idea that there was a tent city set up near where I live. I do want to help, just have no idea how to go about doing it. Pinky, if you see this please contact me and let's see what we can figure out together.
Merry Christmas,
Stacey
Bobandellie at Jan 18th 2010 10:33 PM
Just as long as it's not you that has to help. Right?
Jewel Dougharty at Feb 8th 2010 8:06 PM
I completely agree! Why would we evict the homeless from what homes they do have?!
Why can't we find a way to help them in stead.
People do fund raisers for all kinds of causes, why not pull together to help those who live in our own cities!!
What good does it do to confiscate there property, put the adults in jail and any kids in the system? We end up paying for all that any way right? then what, they are allowed to hold the adults for how many hours/days? then they are back out on the streets and with Nothing !! How does this make since?
So many people have gone out of there way to personally help these people and that ought to count for some thing.
God says we are to help the man that lays on the side of the road in need, not to pass him by.
We need to pull together and stand up for these people!
Burnt_Elf at Dec 8th 2009 12:13 PM
Instead of making homelessness a criminal offense, why doesn't the city give them a piece of land, where their camping is permitted, provided they follow some basic guidelines. This will get them out of the parks and other undesirable places, and congregate them in one area.
Then businesses, volunteer's, churches etc... could donate their time to keeping the area kept up.
Give them a dumpster for trash disposal. All sorts of things could be done.
God forbid any of us wind up homeless wouldn't we want people to treat us with dignity? If we all banded togeather the impact of the homeless on the community wouldn't be so bad.