Thursday, August 4, 2011

Lenscrafters Set Their Sights On The Homeless


It was an early Wednesday morning when a call for service came in -- a homeless man was sleeping behind a Publix and management wanted him relocated. I pulled my cruiser around the back near the loading dock area and didn't see anything. Then, there on a stack of wooden pallets stored against a retention wall -- I saw some movement. Curled up like a stray cat seeking shelter from the elements, the 6'6" tall homeless man unraveled from his awkward slumber to be greeted by the police.

It's almost a standard sequence of events -- they seek shelter, someone complains and the police show up.

There has always been the unwritten protocol -- you run them for warrants, ask them the redundant question -- what are you doing here? Them you kick' em down the road.

The difference now, of course, when compared to the past is the outcome of the encounter.

We did get Jeffrey, the homeless man, some interim shelter once he realized that he couldn't do it on his own after a few weeks of trying. With every first encounter on the street, the homeless are given my business card along with some parting instructions:

"..the best thing you can do for yourself is stay in touch with me."

They're a little confused at first, with such an offering of help delivered by a uniformed police officer, but the parting message seems to stick. Since most hold on to my name and number and when the reality of life on the streets reaches an unsavory tipping point, they make the phone call.

After getting Jeffrey settled into housing it was the glaring spider-web crack of his prescription lenses that needed fixing first. Things like that break easy when you're sleeping on wooden pallets behind loading docks.

Fortunately, my District I counterpart, Deputy Andrews found Lenscrafters at Brandon Town Center mall that offers prescription replacements for the homeless at no cost. They are a valuable resource -- and soon enough, the gracious staff were more than welcoming with helping Jeffrey. He soon walked out with a free eye exam and fitted with a new replacement pair of prescription glasses.

So, once again, a special thanks to Dr. Winkler and the fine staff at Lenscrafters, Brandon Town Center mall.

Steve

No comments:

Post a Comment