To the editor:

On the front page of Friday’s paper I was reminded yet again why I will not take the Journal-World. Inept reporting! Don’t you people know the meaning of digging into the heart of a story, of, heaven forbid, reporting both sides beyond your own opinion? If you would have taken the time to interview any downtown businessperson who has to take their trash to the Dumpster each morning to witness the defecation of a homeless person, or a delivery truck driver who drives the alleys of downtown to see these very panhandlers smoking crack with their hard-earned change, then you would have sufficiently reported what a tremendous problem this is for the downtown area businesspeople, residents and shoppers.

Now let’s talk about ambiance. Smelling the poop as I enter the back door of a downtown establishment; shielding my child’s eyes from a man masturbating at The Salvation Army as I take him to the Arts Center; watching someone smoke crack in the alley behind an eating establishment. Are these the things that add ambiance to the downtown area? I definitely say no! These are people with serious problems, not just simply some kid who is temporarily homeless looking for some spare change for a burger. Anybody would ask, simply, “Why doesn’t this fellow just get a job?” The answer is because he doesn’t want one!

So are we helping these people by giving them money, by allowing them to lessen the downtown experience? Emphatically, again, the answer is no!

Please get your facts straight and report to the people of Lawrence why this is such an important issue for the City Commission to be doing something about.

Megan King,
Lawrence