Out of friendship and respect for my fellow citizens in the City of Greenville, I wish to address the many statements regarding the removal of benches along South Broadway in the downtown area. Everyone deserves to know the thought process behind that decision. Fully understanding why so many comments were made, the viciousness of far too many of those comments is highly uncalled for, and in themselves have caused tremendous uproar in the community. Too many people who are devoting much of their time and effort to revitalize our downtown area are senselessly being blamed for a decision that was made by our Safety Service Director and me last week, following specific direct requests from a couple of business owners to remove benches in front of their storefronts.
The primary intent is protecting our downtown area from sexually deviant predators hanging out downtown, targeting families and their children. Here are two specific instances:
First, a Facebook post stating the following:
“I want to 100% agree with you guys that we need solutions for our homeless population. I am with you and want to do something. I feel helpless and uncertain. However, the loitering in front of specific businesses has become an issue. These businesses can’t put tables and chairs out front for patrons to enjoy because they are being used by these people who spend 12 + hours a day (that’s not an exaggeration) out smoking and loitering.
Two weeks ago, the kids and I walked into a business. We were specifically targeted by someone sitting on the benches and followed in. While I was ordering at the counter with my kids next to me, a woman I do not know swooped in to protect my daughter from a man who was looking at her inappropriately and moving toward her. I don’t know what the outcome would have been had she not informed me. He ran out of the business before I could confront him. It happened so fast.
That same man was found urinating on that business’s exterior wall the next day.
The young girls feel uncomfortable working in these businesses because these men are waiting at the business doors for them, waiting by their cars, and asking about their work schedules. Again, not an exaggeration! This is actually happening.
Something has to change, and while I agree this bench thing is not a long-term solution, I do hope it will provide some temporary safety and deter loitering until we, as a community, can figure something out.
Just my thoughts. I love and respect you all so much, of course. I’m not trying to ruffle feathers.”
Secondly, an email I received stated the following:
Dear Mayor Whitaker:
I was in Greenville this week for tea with a friend at one of your local businesses before a potting event at Miller’s Flowers. I was very disappointed to see that the vagrant population has taken up residency in the city center. As we sat, there were 4 to 6 of them sitting on the benches at least 2 corners. Not a good look for Greenville. Not a good look for the businesses on the main drag.
I love your city and your beautiful downtown area —– I do not enjoy the homeless in the area. I saw them engaging with young children with no parent present, and also speaking to patrons of the downtown. I drank my tea watching these 3 men for nearly 2 hours. Greenville can not be the next city to host this. It is terrible for business and will most certainly drive people away.
Loitering should not be tolerated, and it is illegal. This is going to ruin the downtown core.
I wanted to take the time to write. I know how much you love your city and the small businesses. This can not continue.
Thank you. I appreciate your time. You do a wonderful job.”
These are just some of the types of activity that cause blight in any community, and we refuse to allow that here in Greenville. Those who publicly urinate and defecate on and near our buildings cause severe public health problems. We have heard of far too many cases of that happening, and it’s a direct result of allowing people to sleep overnight and camp on those benches. We experienced all of this last summer as well, and even in the years before that.
Police Chief Ryan Benge has spoken of many cases where our Police officers have offered those camping on the benches a place to go for the night, but they refused that help, all because they do not want to play by the rules set forth by accepting that place to stay. They want to do what they want to do, particularly involving continued drug use.
My question has always been, where does anyone without a place to sleep at night go to use the restroom in the middle of the night? Our public restrooms are locked after 10 pm, and namely because those we have get damaged by vandalism. That is not an option. At what point does personal responsibility cease to exist?
There are a great number of organizations offering help to those who wish to seek help, designed to help with drug addiction and rehab, mental health issues, counseling, food, and clothing. But there are conditions required, and they involve following the rules of society. That seems to be the biggest problem we have.
To all who have invested in our community and have volunteered their time, finances, and talent over the many years, you are tremendously appreciated.
So much needs to happen within our legal system to allow for the solving of these problems, which have led to our decision to, for now anyway, remove the benches and attempt to drive away these problems, protecting our downtown, along with our citizens and their children. Most with the disparaging comments, obviously totally misinterpret this effort.
A good number of businesses have already placed chairs and benches of their own out for people shopping downtown to use, and that is fine and is their right to do so. As a city, the downtown area is a public gathering place, and our sole efforts above all are to protect it and our citizens. Thank you.
