Wednesday September 19 – The Empire Strikes Back, well … sorta

Wednesday September 19 – The Empire Strikes Back, well … sorta


The administration of the ARCH had a town hall meeting today and all who make use of the facilities were welcome to attend. I did attend as I feel a part of this homeless community and I appreciate the services provided. Unfortunately there are relatively few who feel compelled to participate in such functions. There were about 12-18 others who are homeless and about 10 staff and administrators, but it was still a good meeting.

After some general discussion about things to be implemented and other issues brought up by the homeless participants the executive administrator informed us about pressure being exerted on the ARCH and the Austin Police Department by the city and several civic organizations. The problem is the number of people (not all homeless) who hang around outside the ARCH and openly smoke their weed and peddle their pills. I know this as a fact as I observe this regularly. Well, we at the meeting were asked to encourage those outside to come inside so to avoid what will obviously be coming.

Dan and Wendy hang around outside the ARCH. After the meeting and lunch I saw Dan and informed him of what may be coming down. He informed me this evening that not an hour after I warned him the police were by and made an arrest.

Earlier this evening a “Fox” news camera man was just below mw taking shots of the exterior and sidewalk of the ARCH and the homeless congregating as usual. About a half hour later two cops on bikes came speeding out of the parking garage next door. They have never done this before. They proceeded down the street past the ARCH. A few minutes later we heard voices from the top of the parking garage. We looked, and three officers were up there observing what was going on at the ARCH and radioing their observations. They are still there at present. A cop walked by us on the hill without saying anything. He went across the street and he began questioning a black man who assists people parking on the streets. He was soon joined by two other officers. Another black man was walking down the street, they stopped and detained him. A cop car pulled up in front of us and an officer got out and went to the others. One of the officers walked back up the hill and as he was walking by he told Dan, “It is a Class A misdemeanor to camp here,” indicating that it would be better if we moved on. We got the message and are seeking out new vantage points to observe what seems to be happening.

I went down the backside of the hill and found a spot where I could observe the ARCH. I went back to check the status of the first two black men but they and the police were gone. The police are making their presence very noticeably now in front of the ARCH. Yet there are those huddled against the wall and wandering around aimlessly.

And the music rings through the air. There is another concert at Stub’s.

Eventually an officer walks up to those huddled against the wall seated on the sidewalk, about 8-10 stand up immediately. I am about 200 yards away so I cannot hear what is being said. A few scatter, but not too far, some continue to sit. Most meander about, oblivious to what is going on. For the time, the police exit the scene.

Dan informed me that the man who was questioned by the police, who assisted with parking, was arrested for asking for money from those he assisted. Legally he is allowed to accept tips if they are offered, but he is not allowed to ask for money.

I returned to my perch on the hill. I don’t think the police were too concerned about me. I’ve been there for 5-6 weeks, I think the cops who were on the parking garage expected me to be there. But I won’t put down the cardboard this time. Don’t want to look like I’m camping.

Thursday September 20, 2012

Today while standing in line to get lunch it could be seen across the street at the ARCH police were moving in again, squad cars and police on bikes swarming in as if on cue. I could not tell if anyone specific were the focus of their attention. At the same time all this was occurring an independent camera man was across the street on the corner videoing what was going on. The ARCH Executive administrator eventually went out to the camera ma, talked for a short while and then brought him back into the ARCH. The police soon vanished.

3:30 P.M. Police are out front of the ARCH, 3 officers on bicycles and a “paddy wagon”. All I want to do is get in line at the Salvation Army for dinner. A fight breaks out about 15 yards behind me in line, a Hispanic and a black man. I am familiar with the Hispanic, hangs with a group of “punk” kids (young adults), and very rebellious group. The black man I don’t know, but he took off as soon as he was aware the police were right there. And they were “right there”. No one was arrested; I had my dinner and headed for the library.