LAPD Officer Deon Joseph Speaks about Public Feedings on Skid Row
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- Опубликовано: 3 фев 2014
- This video was produced for this blog post: invisiblepeople.tv/blog/2014/0...
I first became aware of LAPD Senior Lead Officer Deon Joseph a few years back when two Christian documentary filmmakers featured his amazing work on Skid Row. I literally was blown away by this strong Christian man's love for a community that is in desperate need for genuine love. Since then our paths have crossed a few times, but it was only recently that I connected with Deon Joseph on Facebook. His candid and emotionally honest accounts of his day-to-day life working with the Skid Row community are encouraging and heartbreaking, often at the same time.
About a week before Christmas, a time on Skid Row where faith based groups ascend into Skid Row by the droves, Deon posted an update that messed me up. It was pretty much a "play-by-play" account of a war zone of madness created by faith based groups, who have good intentions, but are completely unaware of the reality of their actions. My heart broke for Officer Joseph and for the people on Skid Row.
NO ONE IS SAYING STOP GIVING!
Whenever a community is pushed against a wall and has to pass laws to get faith based organizations to work together, my social media channels go off. People tweet news links to me and email me stories expecting me to be outraged, but although I am not for punishing people who want to do good - I have seen the harm churches can do a homeless community. Since most faith based groups are very territorial and refuse to work with their communities, regulating public feedings become the only solution to a very serious problem. About a year ago I wrote a post: Why You Should Support Regulating the Public Feeding of Homeless People huff.to/SeiZ7F, which opened some eyes and upset others. Please hear me...no one is saying stop helping people or stop giving out food. What we are trying to say is WORK WITH OTHERS TO HAVE MORE IMPACT IN ENDING HOMELESSNESS!
The Missions based on Skid Row feed 9,000 meals every day. They work together as a coordinated effort to make sure no one goes hungry on Skid Row. In the two decades I have been visiting Skid Row, I have yet to meet a single person who is in need of food, and as as Officer Joseph points out, you don't see anyone in this interview running around naked and in need of clothes. Yet 20 - 30 churches come down to Skid Row every day randomly feeding people and creating a mess. They are creating far more harm than good.
THERE ARE LOTS OF WAYS CHURCHES CAN HELP!
Partner with one of the missions: During this interview Deon said LA Mission is in need of bread and Union Rescue Mission is in need of peanut butter and jelly.
Come clean up the streets: Deon mentioned the Los Angeles Dream Center as a good example of a faith based group that helps clean up the streets. If your church wants to help but really does not know what to do, contact the Dream Center and I am sure they'd be happy to train your staff.
Provide tangible social interaction to people in housing: Good news is lots of people are being placed into housing. They need positive interactions with good people. Yes, you have to leave your bible in your car, but if you're "fishing for souls" on Skid Row, you should note that pretty much everyone has already said the sinners prayer dozens of times. It's time to start being an answer to prayers instead of trying to get people to say a prayer.
Seniors need food: the one area we will see growing food insecurity is seniors. They may have their rent paid, but very little money for anything else. Throughout Los Angeles there are seniors in need of food.
IF CHURCHES WOULD WORK TOGETHER THERE WOULD BE NO NEED TO REGULATE!
I am so very saddened whenever this conversation comes up by the amount of energy faith based organizations will put into a message of fear, instead of simply reaching out to other churches to work together. The simple solution for all is to communicate and coordinate, but most churches are very territorial. When a law has to be passed to get churches to work together it really says a lot about the church world today. Oh, please note, there are amazing churches out there actually working with the community and partnering with homeless services for more impact. My point is no community should ever get to the point where public feeding has to be regulated, and if it does, it our fault as Christians that it got this far.
All food is regulated. Sidewalk cafe's have to have a permit, hot dog vendors have to be licensed, restaurants are zoned - all for public safety! Why faith based groups start ranting about about regulation really says more about them than the regulation itself.
Officer Deon Joseph should be the mayor of LA.
As Christians, Faith is a huge part of who we are. But God did not just equip us with faith, he also gave us wisdom and discernment. If your good works are causing more harm then good, then one must find a better way to do good. The Word also speaks of not throwing your gifts away on people who will only trample over it. That is what happens in skid row with many. They take your good intentions and use them to do horrible things to themselves and the community. Which is why in our caring and giving, and concern, we must be smart and aware. That's all I'm saying here.
I like this cop... he's speaks truth thanks for helping them.
This officer Joseph is one smart cookie very compassionate humble and just a good all around human 👍👍👍
@Officer Joseph: I hope you read this. Recovering addict, father To a 2yr old princess and husband here. I’m free and successful today but I have to tell you: You are one of the non addicts I’ve ever seen with a real understanding of this disease. Good for you man, and thank God for all of us. Not too harsh but not enabling of the the pain either. You are a HERO. YOU INSPIRE ME. If I’m ever in California I would love to shake your hand. People, this is a role model.
Officer Joseph is an excellent role model for cops everywhere. He has great people skills. More cops need these skills. God Bless
Need more good police like him. He's a good, kind person.
Dear God please make everyone want to be more like officer Joseph and people from invisible people. 😔🙏☮️💜 Amen
Deon so thankful for
Ron. The Bible says when doing good works, do not let your right hand know what your left hand is doing. Do your good works in secret. Most people who feed the homeless in skid row do it to be seen doing good. The best way to be in order with the word is to work with the missions. The Bible speaks of helping those in need of food and clothes. In Skid Row it is impossible to go hungry or naked. You know this Ron. The missions have everything they need. Many Christians try to point out Jesus feeding 5,000. Those people did not come to Jesus for a sandwich. They came to hear his words. After three days they ran out of food and Jesus feed all 5,000 with fish and bread. What most people forget is that when Jesus started to leave, theywanted to make him their king because he feed them material food. They wanted him not because of who he was but what he could do for them. He wanted no part of that. In skid row they don't run out of food because there is plenty of it to go around. Ron.
Mark that u name so proud of u doing the things I are doing to bring this to u in the world.
Wow, I learned so much from this this post. Like many churches, I would have thought feeding directly on sight would be the most helpful. Thank you very much for this perspective. Blessings.
Could anyone know the "real" deal other than a police officer that has the passion and courage in his heart to walk skid row and try to put the needs of others out there and help...but he is only 1 man.......respect.... he has been consistent and true in this walk. Thank you...
He is a hero officer. I admire what he says. A very knowledgeable man on the subject. Fascinating how he is constantly looking about. This man deserve a public award.
this is the kind of officer we need more of
Hello S. McCoy. I am sorry you had a bad experience with cops. But you did not have a bad experience with me. Like you I truly would like to be judged as an individual, not by the actions of others. If you don't trust me, that is your right, but if I am telling the truth to a serious issue, I don't think my uniform should be disqualify my credibility on the issue. This issue is about finding better ways to help the people I care about in Skid Row. Most of the robberies and thefts that occur happen on the sidewalks, not inside of the missions although the missions have their share. Whether you lose an item or two in the mission or street, one may find something more valuable in the missions, and that is sobriety. Many cannot obtain that when they are getting their needs met in the streets. 6th street, and San Julian is not Vermont and Century. This is no race issue, so I do not understand why you being "White" is relevant here. Your biblical reference is noted, but I know the Bible too, and I am familiar with verses that justify my stance, but I am not into playing Bible chess with anyone. I just want the truth to be told so that one day we can find a real way to help change the lives of the homeless. People have been doing the same type of outreach in the streets of skid row for decades, and the same people are still struggling until they "decide" to use the resources to lift themselves up from their circumstance. No agenda there Sir. Just truth. God bless Sir.
I love this guy...
Thanks so much for this. I learned so much about the problems facing the community in skid row.
Thank you officer for all your love and help to these people. I learned a lot from this video.
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