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| Violence erupts in Tri-Cities shopping center Wednesday morning |
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| Written by Maryanne Euthalia |
| Wednesday, 11 August 2010 18:03 |
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Heat and desperation bring out the ugliness in crowd waiting for housing assistance The scene at the Tri-Cities shopping center Wednesday morning looked like something George Orwell might have conjured up as a futuristic image of a bleak time when economic hardship and callous disregard for others collide. But this wasn't fiction, and it wasn't the future. It was a sign of the tough times that have befallen a society struggling to meet its most basic needs. People had begun converging at the shopping center two days ago, camping out in the sweltering heat, hoping for a chance to get on a waiting list for help from the federal government to pay their rent. They weren't jostling for Section 8 vouchers or acceptance into public housing, which were not available here. They were fighting merely for a chance to get on a waiting list that will likely entail many additional months' waiting. By Wednesday morning, the heat and the desperation that had simmered for two days finally reached the boiling point. Amid the thousands of people lined up to apply for a voucher from the East Point Housing Authority, harsh words turned to shoving as impatient late-comers began cutting into lines, with numerous fights erupting throughout the throng. Matters quickly deteriorated when officials began relocating the tables where applications were being distributed, resulting in people scurrying to the new locations so as to not lose their place in line, with their frustration escalating into even more fights. Some people even attempted to storm the doors to the building in an attempt to beat out other applicants. Surprisingly no injuries were reported, but a number of people, including an East Point police officer, were treated for heat-related problems. By the time the sun was at its crest and the heat was climbing rapidly, the crowd had shrunk to a more manageable size, and police and rescue workers were able to breathe a sigh of relief. As for the thousands of people desperate for help, as well as the opportunists among them looking for a handout, the sighs of relief will likely be a long time coming. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites |
