"I got a cell phone too"

They are getting more brazen and mentioning police does not deter them. They mouth off to security, walk into businesses, hotels and offices demanding stuff. The homeless are not the issue; it is the decades of professional bums who run this town and  are emboldened by enablers who don't have to deal with them or the consequences they create.

The community is watching out for each other because the elected officials certainly aren't doing a damn thing. Gavin's press conference is not going to fix theft or crime. 

I was working late downtown and visiting with an acquaintance at an office and saw this guy peering in the window, casing the front door and cutting flowers at the business. The acquaintance was busy so I went outside.

I walked out and surprised him.  I asked him once to stop destroying the flowers and leave. He could have just left. But he didn't. Many of these scam artists don't like being caught in the act. It is still daylight and the guy is near the Courthouse and the jail but he knows there are no consequences for criminals in Gavin's California.

He started mouthing off and wouldn't leave. According to him, he should be allowed to steal from others. According to him, trespassing and trying to potentially break into an office is okay.

When told to leave the private property, he yelled and made threats. When I took out my cell phone , he said, "I got a cell phone too."

If he has a cell phone, then he does not need to be ripping other people off. Unless he doesn't pay for that cell phone.

I told him then take it out and we could both call EPD.  He did not like that idea. He walked away towards the Department of Public Health parking lot and stood there by the building looking at me. I stood there watching him. When he saw me take pictures, he slunk away.

I have ignored this scam artist bum for years. I have seen him on 6th Street and he walks the area between H and N regularly. He is around other parts of Eureka as well and helps himself to flowers from homes,  businesses and churches. Then he stands around selling them to enablers or unsuspecting people. I have seen him steal flowers from funeral arrangements left outside a church before the service.

I have seen him a lot around several different businesses on 6th street. I know many of the owners. They are nice people. They quietly help a lot of people and help many get on their feet. They know I walk around a lot.  They have asked me to keep them informed as incidents are happening or I see something. That has averted potential break ins. Bums and scam artists do not like being watched. I will always watch out for my local businesses and community. 

Anywhere I have lived in Humboldt, the neighborhood is safer. Criminals who know me from the courthouse have thanked me for watching out because they know these scam artists, bums and addicts won't loiter where I live and they can sit on a bench, sleep and hang out without having their meager belongings stolen by career criminals who prey on them.

EPD does a great job patrolling areas. EPD cannot be everywhere and they are short staffed and busy to the max. The best security is watching out for our neighbors and businesses. 

The woman in clean pink sweats who currently sits near Eureka City Hall changes locations but people should be wise to her by now. Why shouldn't she beg? She can pocket change because there is always some sucker who rather give her money than help someone else on the street who is working but sleeping in their car or in the bushes or an alcove because there is a lack of housing. It isn't just affordable housing that is the problem.

If more locals focused on helping those working or trying to work yet struggling to get a roof over their head or maintain where they live instead of throwing change at scam artists, we would not need government to bail out with utility bills and rent. 

If you are not an active part of keeping your community safe and holding politicians accountable, as Travis Tritt said, here is a quarter, call /express your opinion to someone who cares.