r/raleigh • u/Unusual-Horse-7709 • 28d ago

Question/Recommendation Anyone else live very close to a large homeless camp?

I hope this post doesn't get too controversial, but it's getting to a point where I no longer want to work in my garden when I'm home alone. More people have been approaching our home lately. Me, my partner, and even his mom on separate occasions have been asked for things. We've had multiple things stolen, mostly small, but with kids things get left outside.

Do you have a homeless camp within a block or two of your home, and if so, how do you deal with it?

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u/gopro_2027 28d ago

i offered him a pineapple drink from the taco truck and he didn't want it. The other guy did so i got one for him. Took the extra pineapple drink home to my wife

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u/Financial_Berry4545 28d ago

I mean I get it but what's wrong with getting the guy a beer? It's not like he's asking you to buy him black tar heroin.

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u/gopro_2027 28d ago

I feel like it's reinforcing bad habits I guess? Like idk man I'm not a saint but obviously homeless people are down on their luck and alcohol is a net negative. It's just... wrong to supply a homeless person with any substance. I can't explain it, it's just intuitive. I offered him a non-alcoholic drink for hydration on a hot day, I think that's good enough.

Also even if he wasn't homeless I'm not buying random people alcohol in general

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u/AmberNaree 27d ago

Cuz that person might be the last person that needs a beer and you have no way of knowing. You have no idea what has lead this person to the point that they have to ask a stranger for a beer and I'm not judging cuz I'm in recovery but more than likely, that person needs a taco and some water way more than they need the beer. That being said, when I give to unhoused people I just give them money 99% of the time. Do I suspect it will be spent on some sort of vice or bad habit? Usually, yes. But there's a chance they actually use it for something they truly need and have gone without and if I can at least try to help them achieve that, I'll try. I'm just not willing to directly purchase the alcohol or drugs for them.