Has the city dealt with the homeless along the boardwalk?

I really like the VB area and am making plans for my summer vacation. Last year there was an obvious proplem with the homeless along the boardwalk and I even witnessed a couple homeless women harassing tourists trying to use the public restrooms at 24th street and a fight on the boardwalk between two bums with one threatening to knife the other one. I let the city know my concerns and they said they would do what they could. Did they do anything? I mean I feel sorry these people don%26#39;t have a home but I want a vacation away from this stuff.

Has the city dealt with the homeless along the boardwalk?

We saw that too last year when we stayed at Station One hotel. They were staying right out from our hotel on the beach. They would also come up to the benches and sit. The one lady appeared to be selling dope...at least that is what it looked like to me. Then they would go and buy a case of beer and take it right on the beach and hide it under their belongings. The lifeguards and cops had to have seen it but they just turned their heads when they drove by on their 4 wheelers. They were also pick pocketing in the crowd during the Elvis events, as I heard some tourists reporting it to the police in the area.

At night, they would sleep on the beach and the sand cleaners just drove around them.

I hope they take care of the problem too before we return in June.

Has the city dealt with the homeless along the boardwalk?

I hear what you are saying, I think the same thing when I go to any other city and see this. This is a city just like any other, not nirvana. Any beach town will have an element of this. However, just because a person is homeless does not mean they cause trouble. Some people who are not homeless, residents or tourists can be more of a concern. Drunks pouring out of bars and then driving scares me more.

That said, I think the police do a great job of controlling the ';strip'; area, of course, they cannot be in all places at one time. I%26#39;m sorry that you encountered that, especially if children were with you, it can be scary, but it is real life everywhere, unfortunately.

I do think the city has to keep the resort area free of these homeless people or they will lose a lot vacationers. In the morning the pavillin at 24th street is filled with the homeless- they are sleeping all over the place. Does the city have vagrancy laws? homeless shelters? local churches to help these people? a ride to the next city...........

The city is addressing this the best they can. On of the reasons you may see more people back by the pavilion is because it is further away from the strip. It is also close to several services such as the free clinic, and the Judeo Christian Outreach Center.

Va Beach is not just a resort, it is a huge city. Many agencies work together to help and support those who come to our area and are homeless. We have shelters, food closets etc..., but like other cities, it is never enough. It is not only the adults, but their children are in our schools too.

To say they should be shipped to another city is a ';not in my backyard'; or more than likely ';not on my vacation'; mentality. Surrounding areas have the same problem.

I wonder if people will stop visiting NYC or Vegas?

I go to the boardwalk fairly often, especially in the evening to enjoy a nice walk. I have seen a few homeless people sitting on the benches but have never been bothered or seen any problems (not to say there aren%26#39;t any). If anyone, homeless or otherwise, causes a disturbance or bothers you, a cop will likely be nearby, simply report it, and let them handle the situation. Enjoy your time at the beach.

Lynn, I understand what you are saying but you do understand where I am conming from right? There are many other places to go for a vacation that you can get away from this type of thing. I happened to live in VB in the late 60%26#39;s as a kid and like the area for nostalgic reasons as well as just being a great vacation area. I have lived in a couple large cities and some smaller ones and they all seem to do a good job of keeping these people out of the prime vacation spots. Sure I would expect to see these people if I visited the slums and bad area%26#39;s but when my family pay%26#39;s $200 a night for each room(we get three rooms-$600 a night!) and stay for ten day%26#39;s I would like not to be woken up by drunken bums on the park bench early every morning- hotel security would shoo them away but half an hour later they would be back. Also looking out the window and seeing them sleeping all over is a turn off as well not to mention the disgusting thought of sitting on a boardwalk bench after they were- not sure why the bench was wet every morning after they left but I can only guess................ I mean I am not asking for things to be perfect but if we are to dump $10,000+ in the local economy every year it would make things that much more enjoyable and keep us coming back- and yes we had a big talk of coming back because of this. And we have decided to come back but will be staying in Nags head for five day%26#39;s and VB for five day%26#39;s(decided this last night). Would have loved to stayed in VB the whole time- maybe nexy year if things have changed.

Yes I understand your point, just not sure what the answer to solving the problem is. I do think the pros outweigh the cons when visiting Va Beach, but I do not spend my vacation money here so I can%26#39;t really speak from that perspective.

I do remember how it felt when visting Cleveland this summer and being awaken by a street fight with knives outside our beautiful hotel, scary. Hopefully things are not that bad here! And hope you have a good visit next time.

If this is your first visit to Nag%26#39;s Head, you will love it. Good choice breaking up the trip. Check out the forums in NC for great tips for OBX.

I do believe that having alcoholic beverages on the beach is illegal.

Like I said, when I was there, they were dragging cases of beer onto the beach, drinking it, and the cops and lifeguards just seemed to look the other way.

Drunken bums on the beach does make me worry about the safety of my two young teen daughters while they are on the beach. We stay at Station One, which is right beside the 24th street park, and they stay right out on the beach from our hotel.

I see what the other poster is saying about VB being a city, not just a resort area. However, the ';strip'; and boardwalk ARE tourist areas. Why not encourage the bums to go to Croatan area, Sandbridge, or the Chix beach area? (that was sarcasm in case you didn%26#39;t know).

Mike, I agree with you. The city should build another shelter or get the churches involved to help find homes for the homeless and help them become productive members of society.

Just to clarify, every city in Hampton Roads is very involved in providing food and shelter for the homeless. Churches are very involved in working at soup kitchens, collecting clothing, stocking emergency pantries, and ministering in other ways including providing clothing for job interviews.

Without getting into a political discussion, you must realize that some people are gainfully employed, yet are homeless because of circumstances beyond their control; some people are homeless by choice.

I just don%26#39;t want potential tourists to think the city is doing nothing.

Well put Wendy.