There's been a couple articles in the Tribune about Crossfire and the problems local businesses have with the people hanging around the street outside of it. The people in the comment section are all over the place about it.
I have to admit, my first thought was why can't they just go somewhere else? I could sympathize with the business owners because it can be intimidating to have large groups of teens and homeless milling around. Maybe that's because I've been lucky enough to always have a roof over my head and food to eat, even at my poorest.
Yesterday I met with the TLC Holmen folks about their website and the person who is taking over the project was there. He's involved with Crossfire and so there was a little talk of that before we got started. I ended up coming away from there feeling guilty for my first thoughts. These are people, after all, and we can't just shove them into a corner somewhere.
It's a tough situation all around. I can still see the point of the people trying to make a go of business downtown, which isn't exactly a hot shopping district as it is. But I don't think making them go in through the alley is the answer, either. They aren't a bit of dirt that can just be swept under the rug.
I'm curious what others think. Is there a solution? What do you think should be done?
Michelle
