eradicating the problem. that term just doesn't seem right when you are talking about a human being. repairing the problem reducing the problem. solving the problem. improving the problem. but not eradicating the problem. did you know that there are no restrooms in business district? did you know that there is only one drop in center for the homeless in the vicinity of the downtown area and it closes at 2:00pm? did you know there is not an overnite shelter for women in wilmington? did you know that the sunday breakfast mission is already overburdened with people and some nites is at capacity? did you know that noone in this whole vitalization process is addressing how to help the homeless and find employment and housing for them? just...eradicating the problem. what are you going to do when the problem is eradicated....but it has just moved into another area? more patrols...more permanent posting of officers? more eradication.
along with the revitalization of the downtown area, take the effort to really eradicate the core of the problem employment....housing,.....job training.....addiction treatment....whatever it takes...that's the phrase you used for revitalization. so why not use it for your constituents....the homeless.....whatever it takes to eradicate the problems the homeless are facing. lord knows there are enough agencies in wilmington to do this. but none are. all are "addressing" the problem...but none are "eradicating" the problem.
while you're revitalizing the business district....revitalize some human beings in the process. oh yeah...the 100 or so business leaders that met with you....get them involved also. train and hire the homeless. you might be surprised to see you get some very dedicated and hard working employees. sure...you'll have some failures. but you already have some failures in your general hiring process anyway. don't leave out the people you want eradicated from the business district. they live here too. and will continue to live here. take some effort.....revitalize the homeless.