A morning with the city teams prioritizing humanity, patience at Salem’s homeless camps
Ty Bryant has a history of not liking the police.
But he stood at his camp in Wallace Marine Park on a December morning and talked with Salem police officer Sean Bennett like they were old acquaintances, joking about getting older.
“Youth is wasted on the youth, but wisdom is pretty damn cool,” Bryant, 50, said.
The conversation reflected the long-term relationships Bennett and his colleague Kevin Ramirez have built with many of the estimated…
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Excellent journalism
This was an incredible article. It really opened my eyes to the complex work being done. In my personal line of work, I have had a negative experience with 9 out of 10 homeless, but this article helped me gain better perspective from their point of view. Thank you.
A thorough and enlightening report on how those whose job it is to work with and encourage homeless people to seek services. Reporters showed us the careful and thoughtful approach the officers take. And it is their slow and humane ways that are reaching people .
I do hope this work can continue. Excellent work by our city officers and excellent reporting by Salem Reporter.
I understand much more now about the Homeless Services Team and the SOS Team, how they work together, what they do, who they are. Excellent reporting, touching on and weaving together many interrelated concerns, and letting the humanity shine through. Just imagine what could happen if these teams’ approaches were more fully supported …..
Excellent focus and I appreciate that you gently exposed the myths that surround our unsheltered population. I appreciate all the work being done by so many in support of our homeless neighbors.
Article should be submitted for a Pulitzer.
Tim Murphy