Monday, June 17, 2019

Homeless Woman In South Charlotte Has Neighbors Both Concerned and Upset

She’s been sitting on the sidewalk along Pineville-Matthews Road near the Arboretum for months. Some say she’s got to go, others are simply concerned for her safety. But, apparently she has refused all offers help and she’s not exactly friendly. 



One woman in a genuine act of kindness bought her breakfast recently and the sidewalk squatter "bluntly told" her what she could do with her breakfast gift. ‏ 

After dozens of complaints from Raintree residents the Raintree HOA told concerned homeowners we’ve got it "handled" and contacted CMPD. She was reportedly sleeping and spending her days behind the bushes at the Raintree entrance out of sight. The HOA asked CMPD to give her a trespass warning which resulted in her camping out on “public property” aka the sidewalk from that point on. 

Other residents have taken the "leave Brittney alone" view: "God forbid there is a homeless person in “our” neighborhood" complained one South Charlotte resident on the app Next Door. 

She has quite an assemblage of suitcases and bags that she moves about on a small metal luggage cart and her collection of "stuff" seems to have expanded over the last couple of weeks. 

Opinions among South Charlotte residents range widely, many questioning why no one has helped her while others offer up rather disparaging commentary. One recent resident pointed out (in jest) that she was recently seen buying wine and crab legs at Harris Teeter.

For some homeowners, it’s more about the outward appearance of her being on the sidewalk and being seen by people. Yet others take a more consolatory view "None of us can pass judgment unless you’ve been in her position", offered a Waverly resident.

This morning she’s moved down Pineville-Matthews Road to Calvary Church just west of Rea Road. Still sitting on the sidewalk with suitcases strapped to a small luggage cart. Holding an umbrella to shield herself from sun and rain and prying eyes.

CMPD's South Division office responded to CP's inquiry about the woman with this:

South Division community coordinators are working with CMPD’s new Community Policing Crisis Response Team (CPCRT) as well as other local mental health and substance abuse agencies to provide assistance to this person. 

Our goal in all situations like this to provide a humane and compassionate response to individuals who suffer from behavioral and/or substance abuse issues. We’ve answered numerous calls related to her and are exploring all options to find a solution to this issue. 

We’ve been in contact with many residents to keep them informed of our efforts and progress and will continue to keep them informed as new developments arise.

Neighbors have reported she is vulgar and yells at the kids walking to South Charlotte Middle School along Pineville-Matthews Road. Others say she has refused help from several agencies and local churches. 

CP's Take: Beyond blocking the sidewalk and defecating "God only knows where" as one concerned resident pointed out, her only real offense is putting Charlotte's homeless question in the middle of "South Charlotte". 

While it is easy to "feel sorry" for this woman this is clearly not a question of "affordable housing" as for this woman as it is for many homeless, this is simply a lifestyle choice. 

CMPD Advises residents not to give money or food items to homeless or panhandlers. 

Finally, as someone pointed out on "Next Door" given the number of speeding inattentive drivers on Pineville-Matthews Road the situation should "self resolve" in due time.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh damn, I thought that was Anna Phar, the chick that does our NCIC training.

Always read the article first, kids.

Anonymous said...

Cedar you crack me up "Situation should self resolve" LoL. Sad but true.

Anonymous said...

Maybe CMPD could relocate her to DeeDee Harris' "gated homeless camp" on Glen Eagles and Park Road. I here there are at least a 1/2 dozen people living back there behind the gate.

Anonymous said...

Put her on city or county council. She can't be any worse than the liars on board like Ms Harden, Mr dred-locked buffoon, or Emmitt Till himself.

Anonymous said...

Hey Cedar maybe you should look into George Dunlap's past? Just a thought.

Anonymous said...

George slaps women. Emmitt didn’t do that!

Anonymous said...

Cedar I realize that is not the woman in question but who is that and where have I seen her before?

Anonymous said...

Maybe we can have transport take her over to Vi Lyles house?

Anonymous said...

Put her up in Dr Vilma Leake's extra house in Raintree.

Ghoul said...

Rumor has it she is related to Vilma Leake and was sent to her on a bus, but was refused entry.

Anonymous said...

Sec. 19-5. - Congregating on sidewalks.

It shall be unlawful for any persons to congregate, crowd together, stand around or move slowly about so as to impede, hamper, interfere or obstruct the free passage or movement of pedestrians along or upon any sidewalk within the city; provided, however, that, this section shall not be construed to prohibit peaceful and lawful picketing.

Why haven’t they charged her?

Anonymous said...

CMPD Officers are a bunch of pussies afraid of not being PC because this woman is a "person of color". They fear Putney and Foster and the mayor and meck DA will burn there ass and pull their take home car and easy 1st shift jobs in and easy breezy south district.

Anonymous said...

She looks like she's related to Vilma Leake

Anonymous said...

Does anyone realize the cost to the taxpayers to arrest her for a city sidewalk violation ordinance? The manpower it would take, going to jail and then turn in all that property after being inventoried???

That’s a lawsuit in the making. Best to leave her alone until cold weather arrives.

Anonymous said...

I wish cold weather was a deterrent. She's been there since February yelling at the top of her lungs whenever the need strikes. CMPD needs to harden up and deal with it. Lip service to the taxpayers isn't cutting it.

Anonymous said...

Saw CMPD out with her yesterday doubt they want her in their car tho.

Anonymous said...

Just wait until someone starts a rumor she has an iPhone for sale that should solve the problem.

SteveN said...

Amazing how ONE person can pretty much kick over the peaceful apple cart of an entire neighborhood because there's hesitation to deal with that person from the residents to the police to the city council (which dances around the 'homeless' situation in-general).

This is how it started in LA, Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, etc.........

Anonymous said...

Good news for you Cedar... looks like this crazy bitch moved back to the Arboretum and is currently generating around 5 calls a day

Anonymous said...

Enough is enough. The only 'crisis' albeit a minor one is her continued illegal occupation of a public thoroughfare.

Unknown said...

I wave at her every day each time she yells at me