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Group frustrated with Chattanooga Rescue Mission
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Staff Photo by Angela Lewis--Residents of 8th Street and surrounding areas discuss concerns about their neighborhood during a meeting Saturday morning at the M.L.K. Weed and Seed office.
A group of concerned residents on Eighth Street in the M.L. King Neighborhood met this morning and voiced concerns about the homeless population at the Chattanooga Rescue Mission.
“We moved here knowing the mission was there, but it seems that it has changed,” said Ann Sheets, a resident of Fairview Avenue. “It’s gotten more difficult.”
Neighborhood residents voiced concerns about homeless people urinating in yards and leaving trash along the streets.
The meeting was called by homeowners who would like to express their concerns to the Chattanooga Rescue Mission.
Richard Beeland, a resident of Eighth Street and spokesman for Mayor Ron Littlefield, said he would contact the mission and try to set up a meeting. Mr. Beeland said he helped lead the meeting as a resident and not as a member of the mayor’s staff.
For complete details, see tomorrow’s Times Free Press.
E-mail Cliff Hightower at chightower@timesfreepress.com
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Comments
“We moved here knowing the mission was there..." pretty well sums it all up.
The Mission was there first; it [still] provides a valuable service for the homeless.
Perhaps it is the newbies who have changed, not the Mission.
0 of 1 people found this comment useful.
You don't live here and don't know how much problems have tripled since two other missions have folded, resulting in more homeless coming to this shelter. As for newbies.. Some of us have been there for over 7-8 years. I would suggest you don't comment unless you know what is really going on.
0 of 0 people found this comment useful.
Just because the mission was here first, does not give it a right to bring the neighborhood down. I agree the mission provides a service, but that does not give it a free pass to trash the neighborhood. All I ask is that it be respectful of the new direction the neighborhood is moving, and part of the new movement.
0 of 0 people found this comment useful.
People need to be careful how they word their comments. The Chattanooga Rescue Mission does NOT trash the neighborhood. The city police are responsible for the streets and sidewalks of Chattanooga, not any organization.
0 of 1 people found this comment useful.
The city police are NOT responsible for the trash... and you are correct that the mission is not responsible for the trash. However the mission is set up in a manner which enitices those who utilize the service to hang around all day. The issue of trash is just one problem. Petty crime, copper theft and vehicle break-ins have increased dramaticly. When the neighborhood goes from "nice" to a point when i cannot let my children out of the house becuase of homeless walking into my yard, and urniating on my porch, then we need help from the mission. Just help, that is all we are asking for. I am not blaming the mission. I would not even have a problem if they stayed here. As long as they could assist us as a good neighbor to help with problems which are caused by their clientelle then we will be promoting a better neighborhood. Of course when you live 3 streets away, things mellow out and the area is good again...huh? Until the complex is built and suddenly those who support missions' start saying the same thing. We will see.
It is my hope the neighborhood association will help in this endevor to speak to the mission about problems in the immediate area. I don't care if the mission moves or not.
0 of 0 people found this comment useful.
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