Use of Capitol building as homeless shelter raises concerns
May 29, 2009
Madison - State Capitol police respond to dozens of incidents each month involving homeless people who spend their days in the landmark building.
Capitol police say the building is secure and the incidents involving the homeless aren’t that different from those involving the thousands of people who work in and visit the building each day. But some lawmakers believe the state should do a better job of helping those who seek shelter in the Capitol, rather than just housing them during the day and then shooing them out when the building closes.
In recent years, the marble landmark has become a shelter of sorts from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. because it’s a warm, dry place for the homeless to rest and socialize. Activity is the greatest in the winter months, when more people find respite there.
Rep. Richard Spanbauer (R-Oshkosh), a first-term lawmaker who was surprised to see how the homeless use the building, said he doesn’t believe it’s the Capitol police’s job to monitor them.
“Help the homeless, but let’s also protect the safety and welfare of those who do business in the Capitol,” Spanbauer said, adding he fears that unless things change, “something’s bound to happen.”
‘A very safe place’
But Capitol Police Chief Charles Tubbs said the department’s resources aren’t strained by the activity and that people should feel it’s a secure place to work or visit.
“It’s a very safe place,” Tubbs said. “If it was not, we’d be doing a different type of police techniques.”
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2677099/posts
They let the homeless stay in the capital overnight and the chief of police defies the governors orders to clear the place, and his offspring are armed felons.
Almost as nutty as DC
Law breaking, disrespectful, and stupid!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=VHWZIG199rs