|
Updated: 11:57 PM Mar 1, 2010
Violence Up Among Homeless
In the last four months, there has been a significant increase in violence among the homeless -- and the cold weather may be to blame. One man has died from the violence.
Posted: 11:02 PM Mar 1, 2010Reporter: Hanna Francis Email Address: hanna.francis@wsaz.com |
|
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- When it's cold outside, the Huntington City Mission fills up quickly.
West Virginia state law says when temperatures hit 35 degrees or below, missions let anyone in. The Huntington City Mission has raised their standards to 40 degrees.
This mission to keep people warm, though, may be fueling fights.
Huntington Police Detective John Williams says in the last four months, there has been a significant increase in violence among the homeless. He partially blames the increase in violence on the cold weather -- and that law to let anyone in.
Typically, the mission will ban those people with violent histories.
"You get a bunch of different personalities that would not normally be let in," Williams said. "With the onset of the cold weather, there's been an increase in assaults."
Pastor Pete Davidson works at the Huntington City Mission. He said that he thinks these violent outbreaks are just a result of mean people.
"I have seen several homeless people come here to eat -- I'll notice their faces are all beat up and I'll ask them what happened. They'll say, 'Oh, so and so jumped me,' " Davidson said.
Detective Williams said on Jan. 6, a man named Tony Medley was involved in a fight behind the City Mission. He was punched and fell down. When he fell, his head hit the concrete. Police say he was unresponsive when they got on scene just minutes later -- he was taken to the hospital and died of his injuries on Jan. 8.
Williams said police are often helpless in prosecuting those who act out, because often times the victims just want to forget about the violence.
"They don't want anything to do with it," Williams said. "They just want to go on, they accept it as a part of life."
"The reason they won't file a report is they might not have faith in the system," Davidson said.
Davidson said even if they don't have a faith in the system, there is a faith in something bigger.
"If we could get everyone praying for the oppression of meanness to leave I think that would be the very best thing," he said.
Both Davidson and Williams say they hope with warmer temperatures come warmer hearts.
The City Mission has hired a security guard to come in during those cold nights when more people will be in the building.
Latest Comments
How sad, once again a debate over religion overshadows the need for changes at the Huntington City Mission. Despite prayers, "real" people are getting hurt and killed there. Why is it that the excuse people usually use for not actually "doing" something is that they are praying for change. Perhaps God wants us to actually try to change it ourselves instead of just paying him lip service. No security to speak of, no training for staff, and no segregation of violent individuals. Well at least we pay these people minimum wage for a job well done. At what point does the community, board of directors and administration at the Huntington City Mission realize that a person working in this kind of environment deserves a better wage than a telemarketer. My apologies to any telemarketers out there reading this, if it is any consolation you actually make more anyway!!!
If you want to help someone don't sit around and "pray" for them. Get up and volunteer or donate food/clothes to the shelters. A lot of these people could become productive members of society if they got that one "chance."
@ Skeptical Mocking the word of God is serious business and you will answer for it one day.
|
Popular Searches Powered by Local.com |
- Reprimand Rangel, House committee investigators say
- BP promises Gulf help 'for years'
- 'Daddy's in heaven': The first victims
- Grim milestone for U.S. in Afghan war
- Babies' accused killer was 'secretive'
- WikiLeaks founder fires back at Gates
- Ex-CIA head: WikiLeaks logs a 'tragedy'
- Opinion: Arizona can win on immigration
- YouTube wants your 15 minutes of fame
- 'American Idol': Implosion or genius?
- WikiLeaks head to Gates: 'Disappointed'
- Several people injured in Massachusetts explosion
- New BP boss discusses long-term Gulf recovery
- Third blaze ignites in CA wildfires
- Blast destroys Los Angeles welding shop
- YouTube wants your 15 minutes of fame
- NOAA Confirms Record Breaking Hailstone in South Dakota
- Two New Orleans police officers indicted in 2005 beating death
- Racing team owner Roush's plane cartwheeled, NTSB says
- New York AG: Insurance firms defrauded military families of millions
- Cape Town's 'Ghetto Ballerina' gets lift
- Medvedev orders army to fight wildfires
- Mexican drug lord killed
- Tokyo's "oldest man" may have been dead for decades
- London saddles up and rides
- July worst month for U.S. in Afghanistan
- Daughters: Alleged baby killer was secretive
- Kenya's Prime Minister likely won't commit troops to AU force
- Man clears land mines he laid
- Bomb kills soldiers in India
- Indictment: Cop lied in murder probe
- Women among 15 executed by gunmen in Mexico
- New Orleans officers indicted in beating death
- 'Dead' woman may be living in Vegas
- AG: Firms defrauded military families of millions
- Mexican drug lord killed in raid, officials say
- Painting stolen by Nazi now on display
- Mom is DUI, teen tells 911 from car
- Warrants issued for 3 U.S. soldiers
- Ex-teacher charged in child porn case
- Meet the critters inside your mattress
- Lou Gehrig's victim: Kill me for my organs
- Hoarding called a public health issue
- Calcium supplements may boost heart attack risk
- Clone farm goal: Disease-resistant animals
- Alcohol may fight rheumatoid arthritis
- Cell phones save lives in Rwanda
- Hands-only CPR equally effective
- Dispersant concerns remain
- Government has your baby's DNA
- Joe Posnanski: A boulevard called Chagrin
- FanHouse: LeBron's Vegas story spiked by ESPN.com
- Tom Verducci: Pitching expert thinks Strasburg is headed for trouble
- Ravens lose starting corner Foxworth for season
- Haynesworth fails 2nd straight conditioning test
- White Sox land Jackson from D-backs
- Redskins ink No. 4 pick Williams to $60M contract
- FanHouse: Wright's death details start to emerge
- Phillies get ace Oswalt from Astros
- Twins trade two prospects to Nationals for Capps
- Actress Daryl Hannah Expected to be Tried Soon in W.Va.
- NEW INFO: KDMC Laying Off Employees
- Ribfest Moves to South Charleston and Will Include Car Show and Concert
- NEW INFO: Disturbance Leads to Gunfire, Two in Custody
- Fatal Accident in Eastern Kentucky
- Search Continues for Man Accused of Clendenin Stabbing
- Accident Causes Problems on I-77, Southbound Reopen
- Miner Killed in Accident at Northern W.Va. Mine; Name Released
- Stranger Foots Medical Bill for Dog Shot by Arrow
- Fire Destroys Mobile Home
- NEW INFO: KDMC Laying Off Employees
510 Comments - NEW INFO: Thomas Wilcox Sentenced to Life Without Mercy for Wife's Death
478 Comments - UPDATE: Officers Accused of Beating Another Officer; Report Released
91 Comments - Huntington Shooting Victim Dies; Name Released
83 Comments - UPDATE: Mallo Sentenced for Murder of Elderly Neighbor
44 Comments - UPDATE: Man Facing Charges in Connection with Charleston Shooting
25 Comments
![]() |
| PHONE IN YOUR YELLS TO: 1-866-616-5354 |
![]() |
WSAZObits.com Obituary listings from across the region |
Locations in Huntington and Charleston. Visit us on the web and save an additional $250.00. Best prices guaranteed! |
|
![]() |
Healthy Connections Find a local health professional |
| Healthy Tri-State Cabell Huntington Hospital and the Huntington YMCA are helping you to live a healthier lifestyle |
|
![]() |
Start here for all things home improvement |
| SOMC Very good things are happening here |
|
![]() |
Text markstips to 75324 to receive monthly landscaping tips from Mark Springer @ Lavalette Nursery. |
Start here for all things home improvement |






