Cop on homeless: 'Look past their bad behavior and see the need'
EUGENE, Ore. - In the conference room at West University police substation, things are getting messy.
"Some shoes and boots that have been brought in, quite a few socks which are like gold among the homeless community," Randy Ellis says.
It's a mess with a purpose for Officer Ellis. "I mean, before this is all over we'll have this room half full."
Full of shoes, boots, socks, blankets and more: It won't be long before the nights are freezing, and Ellis is determined to make it warmer on the streets for people without homes.
In his 42 years on the beat in Eugene, Ellis has had many assignments, but no cause is closer to him now than the homeless - and he'd like your help.
Ellis says this program tries to reach what he calls "the bottom of the food chain of the homeless. They have an Oregon Trail card to spend for food and nothing to spend for clothing. That's why clothing is so important."
Ellis says yes, some of the homeless cause trouble, and he's arrested a few,.
"It finally dawned on me personally, I had to look past their bad behavior and see the need that they have, and address it," he says.
Ellis managed to spread the warmth for hundreds of homeless people last year, to the tune of about $6,100.
This year with the help of a west Eugene merchant, he hopes to do even more.
Owner Don DeZarn of Pacific Headware backed Ellis last year with a $2,500 matching donation. This time, he's raised it to $3,500.
"Last year my wife and I decided to get involved and help him because we really felt that the homeless problem in Eugene is a big problem," says DeZarn.
He adds the simple outreach to the homeless, with no bureaucracy, convinced him to raise his support.
"It's just one guy going and buying a truckload of stuff and showing up somewhere, putting the word out and handing out the stuff to the people," explains DeZarn.
Officer Ellis fully expects to top last year's donations because, he says, people in Eugene care.
"If they have the ability to help and they don't do it, people know that that's wrong, so they do it," says Ellis.
If you want to chip in, drop off your clothing or cash donations at the 13th and Alder/ West University substation or at Eugene Police headquarters on Country Club Road. The deadline is November 19th.
I'm curious, is there no ordinance that would prohibit panhandlers who hang out in parking lots. On more than one occasion I have had to slam on my brakes while entering a parking lot at BiMart or Walmart when these people step off the curb towards me car while shaking their sign for help at me. While I don't feel threatened I do not want to hit them as then I would be held responsible. There are certain of these folks who are at the same lot day after day and I highly doubt their need. Seems like it's an occupation for them.Â
 @the buttcut Stepping into a road to accept money is illegal, but not everything else. If its a parking lot you're having an issue with I would suggest you complain to the property owner and have them deal with it.
Officer Ellis should either be a Police officer or Social Worker- not both. It's disgraceful to pay him to uphold the law while he helps those who break it....
Homeless people don't migrate here for the weather. It's because of the amazing amount of services and suckers this city has. Living here spreads my compassion very thin and I'm afraid I'm a bit jaded and cynical nowadays. I'm all for helping out someone in genuine need, but I now tend to assume that is not the case until proven otherwise. It amazes me how many people I see begging for money while smoking or while they have cigarettes sitting openly next to them. For a few people "spanging" is a lifestyle choice, and quite honestly that pisses me off. For lots of people, they can't get help only because they have burned every bridge available to them... Because that's what addiction does. And then the bleeding-heart people of Eugene fork over their cash and call for more, more, more services without ever expecting anything in return year after year. I say you're suckers, and I think it does more harm than good. If you've taken the time to get to know someone's situation and to know they just genuinely need help... great, then help them. But if you're just handing out resources not knowing if its going to fuel an addiction or not? Shame on you!Â
Thank you Officer Ellis and to those who help and support your cause!. If everyone would just donate 1 item imagine what this could do, that one hand up could make a life changing experience to someone! And to the public remember many homeless people are families, single parents with children and some just children due to unforseen happenstance lost everything.Â
. Whatever happened to compassion, do you know the story behind many of the homeless, they been abandoned and fallen thru the cracks in the system many with mental illness dropped onto the streets when facilities were closed down, and when there was no where to turn for help, many being return VETS suffering PTSD. So give a hand up not out, volunteer, educate yourselves on how you can help! Sometimes even a smile is enough when you have nothing else to give! There is nothing more rewarding than that smile, a thank you and the feeling of accomplishing something good for our fellow mankind! , those who choose to ignore and hide their head in the sand, REMEMBER this could be you, it only takes a split second to turn your world upside down.
 @just saying Speaking of educating yourself... there are LOTS of programs that will help get veterans off the streets, into therapy and medical care, and back to work. Quite simply, there is no reason for them to be homeless unless they choose it, or aren't willing to do what they need to do. I have come across several individuals who CLAIMED to be veterans, but clearly were not. In my opinion it is a common lie because it makes people want to help them out. If they really are veterans, they have all the help they could ever need to get off the streets at their disposal. Some of it works ridiculously slowly, but not the emergency services... they could have help in less than a day. Want to give them a hand up rather than a hand out? Give them information on services available to them. That's what I do. For the ones who are veterans I truly hope it helps them out and gets them back on their feet. For the ones who are only claiming it... stolen valor gets you no sympathy from me.
 @just saying Everyone wants a handout- I am sick of it. Get off your duff and work or do something productive.Â
The more we as a society continue to "contribute" to these people, the more of these people will inhabit our community, and continue to cause problems.Â
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I sure wish you would do some more good deeds and keep these people from harassing local citizens at shopping centers, street corners and parking lots..I am fed up with them and am not inclined to help at all.Â