Thanks for stopping by! Your comments are most welcome

I was once judged by law enforcement “quickly, easily and with such certainty”, and was put into a squad car for prostitution. I was a senior in college and was a block away from my apartment trying to catch a cab. Needless to say, that (and the many stories told to me by neighbors and friends in Chicago and here in L.A.) helped me better understand what it is like to be found on that side of someone’s assumptions, especially someone who carries a gun and has the ability to detain you.

That said, I understand Clark’s perspective to some degree. We all have to make snap judgments/decisions about people and situations, and all we can do is do our best and use our God-given judgment. We will not always be right but that can not mean we never make any assessments of anything. Clearly a police officer is in an especially unique position of having to do this.

Obviously my Senior Lead friend did not pick this man up for no reason, or abuse him in any way. But he may have acted out of information he likely possessed (what he may have seen, etc.).

Anyway, thanks for adding to the discussion!

(P.S. I am from LA and a friend came across your Blog somehow and told me about it…hope you don’t mind me commenting)

Looking back on the interaction I had with this gentleman, I think there is an excellent chance that you are exactly right about him being homeless and a substance abuser. Our street is a thoroughfare for people seeking/purchasing/doing drugs. We have some crack houses doing some pretty good business nearby. I also think our officer was doing exactly what you suggest.

We participate in a block club that works with law enforcement to strategically deal with the criminal elements: problem properties, gang violence, etc. That is the context of my relationship with our Senior Lead. And in the midst of that, I do wonder how to be a neighbor here, and how to practice copmpassion and mercy in light of the kinds of addiction-related issues and safety concerns you mention. No easy answers to that one for sure!

Again, thanks for weighing in.

The man’s statements indicate that the officer knew the man was likely a homeless alcoholic. The officer was looking out for you.

I say alcoholic because 1) your kids are playing outside and 2) you’re with them - that’s too early to be drinking a noticeable quantity. The man’s initial coherence suggests a tolerance (addiction) to alcohol.

“Do your children like Black people?”

This is a manipulative question used to exploit your guilt. If you say YES, it innocently gives him more time near you and your children. If you say NO, he can use it against you. But his problems (homeless alcoholic) is a behavioral dysfunction that has nothing to do with race.

“I’m not comfortable having my children around homeless men who drink during this part of the day” wouldn’t been a good answer for you to use.

Homeless people often give intersections or places, not addresses.

Alcoholics don’t chit-chat for social reasons - they chat in hopes of gaining confidence and maybe some cash. And if you gave it to him, you might as well have bought him a six-pack or liquor. If he doesn’t fix himself, liver disease and other alcohol- and behavior-related illnesses will eventually cause his death.

The officer was looking out for you and wanted your new friend to know it. Unless carefully explained, the officer’s actions could appear as bigoted profiling.

You also need to be careful - if this man IS a homeless alcoholic, he might use your friendship as a form of safehaven and, possibly, invite other derilicts who need a safe neighborhood to sleep it off. Alcoholics need cash to support their habits. Most have lengthy records for everything from petty theft to felonies.

Interesting story…