Street Stories

Cross post from Ramey Johnson

It’s important to share what I am seeing and hearing from our community.

One popular Colfax business can no longer hang the American flag outside their door. The homeless living nearby take it down and shred or burn it. The employee I spoke with assumes they burn it to stay warm. He often finds foil with burn marks from illegal drugs near their area. Generally, they leave when he asks them to.

A small business owner told me, “There is nothing that anyone can do.” He seemed resigned that the situation would not change. He showed me a counterfeit $20 bill and was waiting for the police. Normally, when he asks the homeless to leave, they do, but not always. Their barred glass door has been broken twice.

One successful business owner who came from India 17 years ago is still waiting for citizenship. He is proud to be becoming an American citizen legally but frustrated with how long it takes.

Pawn shop owners tell me people pawn personal items to pay for rent, food, and gas. He estimates that probably 10% pawn personal items for illegal drugs.

A Day Labor employee told me that men come to work but likely spend money on drugs in the evening.

A small business owner shared with me that he pays over $24,000 in property taxes (“real estate taxes”). He’s not sure how much longer he can make it.

Lastly, the manager of a small business who immigrated from Vietnam when she was 17 told me she “loves to work for America.” She works 14-17 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s clear she loves it here, but she shared that “America is becoming the communist country she fled.” She began to weep. It broke my heart to hear her say that about the country I love.

These street stories are clear evidence that progressive public policies at the national, state, and local levels can no longer be ignored. Our eyes don’t lie.