By: Diane Benjamin
The part of Constitution Trail where tent city is located now looks more like a garbage dump. Homeless people don’t trash their home, these people don’t care because they are mentally ill. More downtown business owners need to speak up, I hear stories of threats and crimes happening. Stay silent – lose your business.
New pics from a reader who couldn’t walk a child home and had to call an uber because he felt unsafe, going to reimburse him Bloomington?
Tents are now popping up along Constitution Trail heading west from the Chateau and across the creek.
By the election April 1, 2025 Bloomington can be the new San Francisco. Eastview Church has a huge property in Normal. If they want to take care of these folks, bus them to their door.
I am afraid things are gonna get worse for everyone!
Since laws don’t matter, I agree
“They don’t care since their mentally ill.”
OK. What’s your solution? You have no compassion or empathy. If they are mentally ill why are they out in tents? They are in fact homeless also. It is totally immoral that you sit behind your computer writing about those who are mentally ill with zero understanding of their plight. They are the most vulnerable population within those who are homeless. They are not faceless, they are in need of treatment and a stable environment. The mentally do not commit crimes any more than the general population, they are usually the victims of crime.
You have no solutions to the problem other than complain. Have you work with the mentally ill? Have you worked with the homeless? No. Have you gone to the tents to see if you could help? No. Are you a Christian? The answer is no.
Enabling does zero. Allowing them to trash the City affects everyone who expects better. Where were they before the moved in? Yes, I have seen mental illness up close. Compassion and empathy are 2 different things.
Enabling? Staving people isn’t enabling it’s cruel. Stating “These people don’t care because they are mentally ill”. I believe that you are lying about your contact with the mentally ill. That comment certainly speaks volumes about your lack of understanding of mentally illness.
Absolutely no one should be treated like you have stated whether they are mentally ill or have addiction issues. These people deserve treatment and understanding. Staving people to make some kind of political point is immoral. Apparently staving people is part of your political agenda of being cruel as possible.
You repeatedly have written against children having lunches. This is the same thing. Your agenda is to stop any one who might want to help those who are vulnerable in their illnesses. Children should also go without lunch according to your political views.
Obviously a democrat voter. Why don’t you invite one or two to live with you if you care so much?
What a disgrace Bloomington/Normal! When my wife and I moved from Bloomington nearly 6 years ago, I thought I might say that I would regret leaving Illinois, but that NEVER happened! Democrats are toxic! If it’s good, they will destroy it, and if it’s bad, they will promote and expand it. Illinois has gotten much worse since we left. It might be time for you to abandon the sinking ship, too!
After my last huge house tax increase I am thinking these tent people might be on to something no taxes free food free showers free toilets and with the latest increase in bulk pickup they don’t have to pay anyone to pick up their junk
I have lived in Bloomington normal for years and have never seen the numbers that we are seeing of people living in tents can someone explain to me what happened
Don’t bother Bloomington normal has become a democrat stronghold just like the rest of the state and you are seeing the results of their incompetence
Dan has it correct only fix leave the sinking ship
Name any problem democrats have fixed! They want dependents
Someone needs to tell the council that Pritzker is going to tour the Constitution Trail. He will be here to rename it The Welcoming Way.
Problem solved.
You’re welcome
I just drove by the tents along evergreen cemetery I believe I saw a garbage truck driving down the trail Sunday free trash pick up? I also saw a large overhead light and a solar panel just below the encampment who is paying for all those amenities?
Oh I forgot all of them campers have a mental disability and it’s we the sane taxpayers that have to support them
Anyone have the latest count for how many police calls have been made to the new camp?
there are services for the mentally ill. call chs and get a application for services and give it to them. or better, drive them there. Make sure you have an escort there. I have worked with the MI population for forty years and aid to them is blocked by the IL legislators. Can’t give services to those that don’t want them.