Today’s homeless are a different breed

RETIRED APD Capt. David Gilmore’s letter April 26 nailed the street problem when he referred, in part, to “lazy working-age” men and women.

In January, I found myself at the Lovelace Downtown emergency room for six hours. That time allowed me to sit in the waiting room that was small enough that you couldn’t help but overhear conversations. Two homeless brothers in their late 50s came in as one had significant injuries. While being treated the other brother struck up a conversation with yet another homeless individual in his late 60s. All three had chosen a wandering lifestyle intentionally since their teenage years . ...

Their discussion turned to Albuquerque, the homeless camps, and what did the brothers do with their tents and other gear in order to enter the hospital. The brother said they had to stash their gear where it wouldn’t be found by other homeless or city workers as the city was on a push to clean abandoned encampments. Then the brother became slightly irritated and blurted out “the younger generation is ruining it for everyone,” referring to the lifestyle. He said they absolutely do not clean up after themselves when they move on; trash, feces, drug paraphernalia are scattered everywhere. Coincidently, I attended high school in the ’70s in downtown Dayton, Ohio, ...in the corridor known locally as Skid Row . ... I knew several of the resident homeless. I nor my friends were never subjected to the crime, trash or overall civil hatred. Times have changed with horribly addicting drugs.

I wanted to laugh when the brother lamented the younger generation ruining it for everyone. But, I realized today’s entitled society lacks accountability.

JIM ORR Albuquerque