Community Update

I am
writing about the pan handler that stands, sits and sets up camp on the corner
of Whittier and
Washington St. Why is he allowed to sit there day after day. I know that homeless
rights may be a sensitive subject, however, I am bold enough to admit that I do
not want my children growing up down the street from this man. His background
is completely unknown and he appears to live in the woods. I ask you, do you
want your children walking/riding your bikes past him? 

I
called the Toms River Police Department this evening to inquire about why this
activity is allowed. I spoke with an officer by the name of "Jim". He
told me that this man has done nothing wrong and that if I (a tax paying
citizen) have a problem with it, I should not drive, walk by or allow my
children to ride their bikes by him. He said that what this man does is not
illegal. In response to this, I told asked Jim if this would be allowed on
corner of Vincenzo Drive and
all he could say was, “Well its not happening there is it?” When this answer
did not satisfy me, Jim transferred me to his supervisor. While I did not get
his name, this sergeant basically told me that I was a snobby bigot for not
wanting my children around a mysterious man who lives in the woods by night and
sits on the street corner all day long. He also disclosed that this man on the
corner has been arrested not once, but 14 times in the last year for criminal
trespassing. When I said, well that is concerning since he does not have any
respect for the law, how do you know he is not a danger to others, especially
children? I was told that well he has not molested/abused a child so that
shouldn't be a concern. I suppose we should just wait and see if this man
commits a more serious crime before anything will be done.  I was also told that I could write my
congressman to get the pan-handling/loitering laws changed, but he doubted that
would do anything.

I am
completely outraged by the answers I received regarding my concerns. I do not
believe that I need to be made to feel like some snooty wasp because I do not
want my children growing up down the street from a strange man that sits on a
street corner by day and lives in the woods by night. I do not see why, as a tax payer in this town,
my concerns were at least not taken more seriously. I asked to file a formal
complaint and was told that I was not allowed to do so. I will say that this
will not take this information as the last word and I plan to pursue this. 

In the near future, I plan on setting up camp, lawn chair,
cooler, umbrella and all on the corner of Old Freehold and Vincenzo
Drive.  I guess we will have to see what laws will
apply to me there.