by National Coalition for the Homeless
In early 2007, a Bradenton police officer was punished for attempting to help a homeless woman he arrested maintain her possessions. Officer Nicholas Evans arrested a homeless woman, whose entire collection of possessions was in a shopping cart. Evans moved the cart by pulling it alongside his patrol car for the entire 12-mile drive to the county jail.
Evans was criticized by supervisors for bringing negative attention upon himself and the department. Supervisors condemned him for failing to follow state laws and for unsafely operating a vehicle.
While homeless advocates praised Evans’ actions, Police Chief Michael Radzilowski responded, “I think they are misguided. I don’t think they understand a police officer’s responsibility in protecting the public safety.” In the February 2, 2007 issue of the Bradenton Herald, Adrian Lazeroff, Executive Director of the Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness replied, “I am not in a position to decide whether a person did the correct thing as a police officer. But I am certainly supportive of respecting the rights of homeless individuals, including the right they have to have their possessions taken to corrections facilities.” Evans was suspended for 30 days for his misconduct.
I cant believe people still remember this story. It has been two, almost thre years now. I think I did the right thing. I lost my job over it. I have been working for peanuts since that day. BUt I know that she got to keep her stuff. That was my goal. I knew Marie Brooks for a few years. She was Harmless, kinda, just homeless and poor. The Chief was wrong in this situation. He could have used the press to make something positive out of this.
Signed: Former Officer N. Evans
I was walking downtown Bradenton today which I do quite often training guide dogs for the blind. It is not unusual to see homeless people. Today I noticed a lady dragging a suitcase behind her and picking up a big clothes basket full of blankets and clothes. She would move the basket and then walk back and get her suit case. When I first noticed her I thought she might have just gotten off the bus and was waiting for someone to pick her up. While passing her I thought she said something to me but I kept walking. I couldn't help but turn around to see what she was doing. Later when it was time to return to the school I hit a road block. I had to go back down Manatee where I was stopped at a red light. On the corner I saw the lady again. She had a white purse on her arm and she looked to be around 60 years of age maybe younger. I could tell she was talking to herself making hand gesters. She was still moving this big basket with a little u.p.s. box on top. She would pick up then put down draging the suitcase then going back for the basket picking it up and puting it down over and over again. People just walking by just ignoring her waiting for the light to change. Next to me was a police car sitting at the light. I wondered why a police officer would not have a reason to see why this lady was by herself trying to drag at this time what I thought could more than likely be all her worldly possesions. I'm not sure why this bothered me so much like I said we run into homeless people around town all the time. I can't understand why she isn't in some kind of home where she can be on medication. It is just very sad to think she must not have anyone to look out for her. This really made me feel bad for not doing anything. It is hard to believe you would lose your job over it. When someone does you wrong something good will come out of it.
I hope this lady stays safe. I would have been happy to see the policman draggig this ladies basket next to his car. I am hopping to find something I can do to make a difference for the homeless.
Karen