Reader: The homeless on the 16th Street Mall are a menace and keep me away

Our post about an advocacy group arguing that a plan to hire ten new police officers to patrol the Ballpark neighborhood, LoDo and the 16th Street Mall essentially criminalizes the homeless inspired a lively back-and-forth between folks with very different views. Here's a post from a reader who feels something...
By Michael RobertsJune 17, 2014
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Our post about an advocacy group arguing that a plan to hire ten new police officers to patrol the Ballpark neighborhood, LoDo and the 16th Street Mall essentially criminalizes the homeless inspired a lively back-and-forth between folks with very different views. Here’s a post from a reader who feels something must be done to address the issue.

Stephen Felt writes:

The homeless people are a menace on the 16th Street Mall and the main reason I stay away from it. The police have to do something about them, they’re obnoxious in their begging for money and food. Last time I was there, for the music festival, I was accosted several times by beggars looking for money and guys asking for my leftover food.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword‘s news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor’s degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master’s degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

michaelrobertscolo@gmail.com
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