Homelessness in Waco - Page 2

hodedofome

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In reply to GoldenBear03 • 1:36p, 7/13/26

GoldenBear03 said:
We definitely do have a homeless problem that needs strong intervention. It seems as though Waco ramps up enforcement for a time, gets it somewhat under control, and then reverts back to disinterest just a quickly. It requires a strong hand as heartless as that may sound. I like the new Waco police chief, as I've heard her speak. She seems very kind. Given the way her bio brags of her DEI strengths, I have doubts as to whether or not she has the stomach to do what needs to be done. But, it's a fact that it needs to be cracked down upon without reluctance or delay. As has been pointed out, we're getting a reputation and that's not something we need, as a city, or deserve as citizens and taxpayers.

Typically, women have too much compassion and are not the best equipped to make difficult decisions like this.

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Yogi

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10:26a, 7/14/26

This is just for discussion. I really don't have a "cure" for homelessness. I am not sure there is one. People will come into this world and they will leave. Many of them have mental illnesses or disorders that give them either highly addictive personalities and/ or the inability to take care of themselves. There are many people who dwell in their own self-destruction that require help. The problem is that while some will seek it; others will not.

I met all kinds of homeless personalities when I was at Baylor. There was the guy who stabbed his wife who hung around the McDonald's. That guy was uber intelligent. He told me that he scored nearly perfect on his SAT's, and after having had lunch with him, I believed him. He was extremely knowledgeable and articulate. He had a great command of the English language. If he were to wash and cut his hair, neatly trim his beard, and dress in a suit, he could probably work anywhere. His problem was his addictive personality, his drug and alcohol use, and his criminal record. Moreover, he told me that he liked being homeless. It was the "ultimate freedom" for him.

Then there weas Tony. I am sure many of you remember Tony. Tony was a star football player at McGregor High School back in the day. At least that is what he shared with me. But Tony seemed to have some kind of brain injury per my memory. He repeated himself often and had trouble communicating. Now, he was a very good man, but now having had experience evaluating adults for the courts, I could and would testify to any court that Tony is not capable of being a functional member of society.

I think the homeless problem was helped when we could send people to asylums, but, of course, there are a whole lot of issues with that, as well - not the less of the legal nature.

At the end of the day, it takes at least two people to help alleviate homelessness: those who wish to help and the homeless who wish to cooperate in being helped. And therein lies the problem and why there will never be a fix or cure for homelessness. It's the same thing as world peace: everyone has to be on board in order for it to succeed.

"Smarter than the Average Bear."

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BearVerdad

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In reply to tcbear • 2:07p, 7/14/26

tcbear said:
My daughter who is 22 and had just graduated from Baylor the day before in May, was viciously attacked by a homeless woman at 11:00 am on a Saturday morning downtown in front of Cafe Cappucino. The homeless woman silently came up behind my daughter, grabbed her by the hair, and threw her down to the sidewalk where she then began hitting and kicking my daughter. My niece, who was walking with my daughter, jumped in and pushed the crazy woman off of my daughter and they ran into Cafe Cappucino for safety.

My daughter had a slight concussion and was bruised on her back and ribs. Needless to say she is spooked about going downtown now and she cannot be anywhere near a homeless person.

Wow, horrible. I hope she's recovering well both body and mind. She'll get there.

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RightRevBear

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In reply to GoldenBear03 • 5:41p, 7/25/26

GoldenBear03 said:
We definitely do have a homeless problem that needs strong intervention. It seems as though Waco ramps up enforcement for a time, gets it somewhat under control, and then reverts back to disinterest just a quickly. It requires a strong hand as heartless as that may sound. I like the new Waco police chief, as I've heard her speak. She seems very kind. Given the way her bio brags of her DEI strengths, I have doubts as to whether or not she has the stomach to do what needs to be done. But, it's a fact that it needs to be cracked down upon without reluctance or delay. As has been pointed out, we're getting a reputation and that's not something we need, as a city, or deserve as citizens and taxpayers.

Homelessness isn't a crime. Panhandling isn't a crime. Loitering on public property isn't a crime. Many homeless who are living on the streets have mental health and/or addiction issues. Like Yogi said it takes two sides to fix it. The amount Texas spends on mental health is sinful.

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4th and Inches

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In reply to RightRevBear • 7:31p, 7/25/26

RightRevBear said:
GoldenBear03 said:
We definitely do have a homeless problem that needs strong intervention. It seems as though Waco ramps up enforcement for a time, gets it somewhat under control, and then reverts back to disinterest just a quickly. It requires a strong hand as heartless as that may sound. I like the new Waco police chief, as I've heard her speak. She seems very kind. Given the way her bio brags of her DEI strengths, I have doubts as to whether or not she has the stomach to do what needs to be done. But, it's a fact that it needs to be cracked down upon without reluctance or delay. As has been pointed out, we're getting a reputation and that's not something we need, as a city, or deserve as citizens and taxpayers.

Homelessness isn't a crime. Panhandling isn't a crime. Loitering on public property isn't a crime. Many homeless who are living on the streets have mental health and/or addiction issues. Like Yogi said it takes two sides to fix it. The amount Texas spends on mental health is sinful.

This should be a community/ church thing way more than it should be a Texas govt thing..

As you do for the least of us is how you treated me..

RightRevBear

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In reply to 4th and Inches • 9:30p, 7/25/26

4th and Inches said:
RightRevBear said:
GoldenBear03 said:
We definitely do have a homeless problem that needs strong intervention. It seems as though Waco ramps up enforcement for a time, gets it somewhat under control, and then reverts back to disinterest just a quickly. It requires a strong hand as heartless as that may sound. I like the new Waco police chief, as I've heard her speak. She seems very kind. Given the way her bio brags of her DEI strengths, I have doubts as to whether or not she has the stomach to do what needs to be done. But, it's a fact that it needs to be cracked down upon without reluctance or delay. As has been pointed out, we're getting a reputation and that's not something we need, as a city, or deserve as citizens and taxpayers.

Homelessness isn't a crime. Panhandling isn't a crime. Loitering on public property isn't a crime. Many homeless who are living on the streets have mental health and/or addiction issues. Like Yogi said it takes two sides to fix it. The amount Texas spends on mental health is sinful.
This should be a community/ church thing way more than it should be a Texas govt thing..

As you do for the least of us is how you treated me..

I have no problem with that. How many of us are signing up to pay for it? It is easy to kick the can to someone else. Communities and Churches say it is beyond our capabilities. Texas Prisons and county Jails are currently the largest provider of mental health services.

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Robert Wilson

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In reply to Yogi • 6:09p, 7/27/26

Yogi said:
This is just for discussion. I really don't have a "cure" for homelessness. I am not sure there is one.

... Moreover, he told me that he liked being homeless. It was the "ultimate freedom" for him.

I've got a good friend, known him for several years now, we've spent a lot of days fishing together, who was homeless for about a decade. Living under bridges around Austin and San Antonio. He was homeless because he liked it. Wanted zero responsibilities and nothing but the freedom to wake up and find his next fix. Said many of his compadres were the same way. Compared it to the simplicity of being a monk except instead of God you've got drugs. Not helpless, not incompetent, just want to find their next fix and have zero responsibilities. For many, there are mental health problems that are insurmountable. But, for many, it's a choice and the way they prefer to live. Some will get it out of their system and re-enter society. Some won't. They're not looking for you, me, or anyone else to fix anything. That doesn't describe all of them, but it definitely describes some.

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