Yakima woman on Millennium Plaza: 'It's become a place for drugs and bums'
YAKIMA, Wash. -- It's a small, but interesting park. Filled with sculptures and plaques to attract visitors. But lately, Millennium Plaza is filled with more homeless people than art.
"This is supposed to be a park and a welcoming place in Yakima," said Gabby Schweers who walks by the park to get to work. "It's become a place for drugs and bums."
Gabby has seen it all.
"I come through here and find 1/2 eaten food, we will find needles," said Gabby.
Gabby says it's so bad that she actually parks at the police department and walks the two blocks to get to work at Olive Garden.
"This is all getting to be a very big fear area," said Gabby. "People are afraid to come down here, afraid to walk by themselves."
There's no doubt it's affecting business at nearby Sports Center.
"We've found people doing drugs in our bathroom," said Sports Center Owner Travis Heitman.
He says he's even found homeless people from the plaza bathing inside.
"Most people just walk out when they find people bathing in the bathrooms," said bartender Christian Durham. "It's nowhere you want to go and it's not the reputation you want."
A sculpture is missing from the plaza and downtown crews tell me it's a constant strain on resources. I also learned the plaza has become a bus stop for homeless people being brought to and from a local shelter.
"That's our taxpayer money going down the drain," Gabby.
I'm told Yakima leaders are aware of the problem and looking for solutions. But for now, Gabby will continue getting a little exercise on her way to work.
Downtown cleanup crews tell us they've also seen more graffiti in that area.
"This is supposed to be a park and a welcoming place in Yakima," said Gabby Schweers who walks by the park to get to work. "It's become a place for drugs and bums."
Gabby has seen it all.
"I come through here and find 1/2 eaten food, we will find needles," said Gabby.
Gabby says it's so bad that she actually parks at the police department and walks the two blocks to get to work at Olive Garden.
"This is all getting to be a very big fear area," said Gabby. "People are afraid to come down here, afraid to walk by themselves."
There's no doubt it's affecting business at nearby Sports Center.
"We've found people doing drugs in our bathroom," said Sports Center Owner Travis Heitman.
He says he's even found homeless people from the plaza bathing inside.
"Most people just walk out when they find people bathing in the bathrooms," said bartender Christian Durham. "It's nowhere you want to go and it's not the reputation you want."
A sculpture is missing from the plaza and downtown crews tell me it's a constant strain on resources. I also learned the plaza has become a bus stop for homeless people being brought to and from a local shelter.
"That's our taxpayer money going down the drain," Gabby.
I'm told Yakima leaders are aware of the problem and looking for solutions. But for now, Gabby will continue getting a little exercise on her way to work.
Downtown cleanup crews tell us they've also seen more graffiti in that area.
Wake up call for Gabby !!! Has she walked through life looking through rose colored glasses until it affected her sensibilities ?!?
People would rather not face the truth about others less fortunate.
Out of sight â out of mind.
On the other hand some of the people standing on street corners, with signs â are con artists making a living off the compassion and gullibility of others.
Many of these people spent their time by the river - out of site; but complaints forced them to find other places to live.
If they have nowhere to go; where will they live?
Would it be more convenient if they just walked out into the country and died?
As the population grows in any area; you will see more of those less fortunate than others.
There have been poor people without a place to live; all through recorded history-
And that will not change because of any laws or articles in the paper.
Believe it or not some chose to live that way â while others are the victims of circumstances beyond their control.
In the end we should treat others the way we would want to be treated ourselves
âit just might be you out there tomorrow.
people should not call or write that people are bums they are homeless . These are humans just as you and I. Yakima is not this glory place you all are dreaming of. Maybe those tax dollars should have went towards affordable housing or at the very least a place for them to go.Maybe even a trash can for the garbage (yes I know they are not attractive, but believe it or not they hold garbage) When I read heartless comments it makes me want to go sit out there with them. Life does not have guarantees for any one so we should count our lucky stars when things are going good for us and remember to pray and do what we can to help those that are struggling. Sad the way one human being will treat another...Your a perfect example of the real ugly of Yakima.No compassion at all. Did you stop to talk to any of these people? Did you ask what lead to their current situation? Did you ask if there was anything you could do to help their situation?Â