You’ve heard of “toll bridges,” well this is a “troll bridge.”
I just posted that blog about Portland’s bum troubles, and then I got on the bike with my husband to do some errands. Like many people we use Middle Bidwell Park bike/pedestrian trails to commute Downtown and the Mangrove Corridor, and often use the bridge, pictured above, that spans Chico Creek there across from Immediate Care and Wells Fargo Bank.
The bridge has always been a gathering place for transients, but this morning was over the top – this old man had placed his bike and belongings well into the trail on one side, and situated himself and his backpack into the trail along the other side of the trail. I couldn’t help but think of the story of Three Billy Goats Gruff, and the troll who shouted, “I’m going to gobble you up!”
This is what I would call, “Portland Behavior.” I feel he’s taking possession of the bridge.
He muttered something at us as we passed, sounded like an opening for panhandling, but we kept moving. I wasn’t intimidated because I was on the bike, with my husband, but if I were on foot I might think about taking a different route, or giving up walking altogether. Walking in the park alone is getting to be risky business.
We have a post office box so stopped at the post office annex on Vallombrosa. There a disheveled man had scattered his crap – uh, excuse me, belongings – along the sidewalk and was pacing the sidewalk muttering at his feet.
I felt sorry for this man, he was obviously mentally ill. But I also feel sorry for the people who are trying to run a family oriented business on the other side of that doorway he’s standing in front of.
This man’s behavior was very agitated. Try being a parent with small children at hand, navigating these people at the doorways to businesses all over town.
These people are brought here by the county, which gets $550/day for housing them. They can be held 45 days without their consent, and then they are released to their own recognizance, oftentimes with prescription medications. I never know if I’m seeing insanity, or the result of prescription drugs and alcohol.
There’s no supervision after release unless these people voluntarily enroll in one or another housing program. They can fall off their meds, get back on the booze, and end up right back on the street – in their new home, Chico – get arrested again, and around she goes…
Nobody is served in this cycle, except those who receive the salaries and benefits.
Chico Taxpayers Association 
This is Progressivism in all it’s beauty. They are using these people as Agenda 21 shock troops and to generate revenue for the Homeless Industrial Complex. When will Chico wake up and smell the, well you know.
Thanks Dude!