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| Molly Jones, 47, spoke highly of Blease “Butch” Pruitt, whose body was found in a pond Friday. Like Pruitt, Jones is homeless.
(delores johnson/the virginian-pilot) |
By Susan E. White
The Virginian-Pilot
VIRGINIA BEACH - Steve Gorden regularly sees bruised faces, busted knees and broken arms among his homeless brethren.
"Every day, there are homeless people getting beaten up around here," said Gorden, 21.
The acts, he and homeless advocates say, appear to be random and the crimes often go unreported.
"Many of them don't want to put themselves at risk anymore," said Cheryl Molinet, a Beach mental health outreach worker who works with the homeless. "I tell them all the time, but even more so now, that they have to be careful."
Last week, the body of 45-year-old Blease "Butch" Pruitt was found floating in a retention pond near the Virginia Beach Convention Center. He was the fifth homeless person killed in the city since May 2005.
The number highlights how vulnerable the homeless population is, Gorden said.
"You've got to watch where you're going and who you're hanging out with," he said, "because it could happen to anybody, anytime and anywhere."
The homicide is prompting the homeless community, churches and shelters to talk more about safety issues, said Terry Jenkins, the city's director of Human Services. All three groups will gather Dec. 9 to discuss the recent deaths and safety precautions at a breakfast for the homeless at the Oceanfront. The annual breakfast is sponsored by the Virginia Beach United Methodist Church, which operates Potter's House, an outreach ministry and food pantry.
"We're certainly hoping that we may find other avenues to reach people and to find a way to reinforce to this vulnerable population how to be more discerning," Jenkins said.
Those who knew Pruitt, including Gorden and Molly Jones, said he was known for his generosity.
"He'd give you the shirt off your back if you needed it," said Jones, who also is homeless.
Jones, 47, befriended Pruitt in September, shortly after she was hit by a car while riding her bicycle. She was in a wheelchair for months.
"He always made sure that I was safe and that I got where I needed to go," Jones said.
Police have not identified any suspects in Pruitt's death or in the death of 34-year-old Shawn John, who was the city's first homicide of 2006 and the third homeless person to be killed since spring 2005. John was found shot to death on a street corner near the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia.
"It really is very disturbing," Jenkins said of the deaths. "And it highlights for us that people who are homeless are certainly at a high risk" of being victimized by crime.
Gorden and Jones say the loss of friends and others on the streets has helped pull the homeless community closer.
"Nobody's problems are bigger than anyone else's," Jones said. "It's amazing how we've come together," I just wish we would have stuck a little closer to Butch."
Staff writer Duane Bourne contributed to this report.
Five homeless men have been killed in Virginia Beach since May 2005.
May, 26, 2005: Ronald Wood Jr., 34, was shot several times in a backyard at Baltic Avenue and 24½ Street.
June 18, 2005: Joseph Moore Jr., 70, was found stabbed in an alley beside the 58 Deli Diner on Virginia Beach Boulevard.
Jan. 3, 2006: Shawn John, 34, was found shot to death on a street corner near the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia.
April 15, 2006: Paul Mountford Jr., 69, was struck several times on the head with a glass vase or candlestick in the early hours of April 15. He collapsed after being released from the hospital and died.
Nov. 24, 2006: Blease “Butch” Pruitt, 45, was found floating in a retention pond near the Virginia Beach Convention Center.
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The Homeless are Lazy?
While it's great to see that the majority of comments on this story reflect understanding and compassion for the homeless, the comments that the homeless are lazy and are working the system and commit more crimes than are commited against them are ignorant. It's okay for the wealthy to have legal loopholes for not paying taxes, but if a homeless person gets a handout that's not fair? If you think you can survive on the mean streets by being lazy you have another thought coming to you. Spend a cold winters night outside. Spend an evening trawling dumpsters for something tasty to eat. Then ask yourself--if in your right mind, is this something you would purposely choose? Ever really talk with a homeless person? I'm not looking for any praise, just making a point. I invited a few HP into my former home in VB. They stayed a day or two, then left--and no one ever stole anything or abused me or my home. Their stories were amazing. God bless the less fortunate. RIP Butch Pruitt.
How sad.
On the morning after Thanksgiving, I woke up and went to work on 19th street across from the Double Tree. My office window faces the pond where this man was found. I opened the blinds in the office to see nothing but cops cars everywhere. As the hours went by we saw them drag the body out of the water as if it were just a bag if dirt, pulling him by his arms onto the grass. The police went about their business at the crime scene and left this mans body sitting in the grass for hours. Couldn't even cover him up with a sheet. 10 oclock rolls around, people started pulling into the parking lots for the Christmas Market Show. The police did nothing to hide the body. What a way for Virginia Beach to show off there multimillion dollar convention center. Just because they don't live in million dollar homes on the water with boats, doesn't mean there not human beings. They were someones son, brother, uncle, and someones friend.
homeless person
being a homeless person (was one in vb, a few yrs ago) i know the NIMBY attitude. we don't want to burden our family or our family wants nothing to do with us. we don't get three meals a day, meds, and job offers. someone is killing off the homeless at the beach. they are the scum of the earth!!! people think all homeless persons are lazy and worthless. i am disabled and i could not get the help i needed in vb. my case worker was worthless. i had a job and she made me appointments for doctors at times i was working, so if i went to them, i would lose my job. the clinics hours were at times i worked. so to go with the program, i would have to lose my income and be homeless longer. i am lucky i met some one and they helped me leave vb. so if you are homeless in vb, cover your back. maybe one day they will find a program that work. maybe one day , people will remember, jesus christ was homeless. r.i.p. brenda (mothers inc)
Christmas Craft Show
My sister and I walked by that pond on our way to the Christmas Craft Show at the pavillion. We saw a truck marked Marine Diving Team and police cars, and wondered what they were diving for. I feel so sorry for that poor man. People who live with relatives because they cannot afford homes are not counted as homeless, so the problem is worse than it appears.
One day "YOU" could be homeless, don't think so?
It's nice to be confident, BUT, DON'T be OVERCONFIDENT!!!!! I've come accross many people who think they will NEVER be in that situation. Some even get billigerent when they are confronted with the potential reality. Those are the ones who USUALLY will NOT help when it comes to opening their hearts. Most are STEREOTYPICAL in their thinking that ALL who are homeless are either LAZY, dependant on drugs or alcohol. Well, I have news for YOU! You better change that thinking because when you find yourself in the shoes of a homeless person, you will think to yourself "I'm NOT an alcoholic" or "I'm NOT a druggie" or even "I'm NOT lazy and willing to work!" Hmmmm, but yet you ARE HOMELESS! Think about it! Even if you DON'T believe in GOD, (YOU SHOULD!) Think about everything a homeless person goes through day to day JUST TO SURVIVE!! Then you'll know why some homeless people have ATTITUDES! Want MORE cold harsh reality? How about shelters that screw the homeless, they do exist!
Judge not; things are not always what they seem
I have served food to the homeless in church kitchens and I can tell you that the majority of them had jobs but could not afford a place to live. Many of them are mentally ill.
How did we become such a cold and uncaring society?
Let us remember to count our blessings.
I Think We have a Serial Killer at the Beach.
The City of Va Beach needs more public involvement on what's going on around them,always playing poltics with peoples lives.Nobody wants a Homeless Shelter in there neighborhood"NIMB".Shame on you Va.Beach for another Death.
Oh well?
I think it's despicable for someone to respond with an "Oh well" when people are being murdered. Need a lump of coal in your stocking this year? This kind of attitude makes me physically ill.
Oh well?
I think it's despicable for someone to respond with an "Oh well" when people are being murdered. Need a lump of coal in your stocking this year? This kind of attitude makes me physically ill.
The comments are not nessary!
The people who are homeless, yes, some chose to be jobless but some do not. As for the comment about family near by: If this man had a mental illness there is no keeping him in one place. People who have a disorder called bipolar/manic state due not stay in one place very long. They feel trapped and the only way they feel safe is on the move. There brains do not work like yours or mine. So as for your comment you should be ashamed of yourself. No one deserves to die. They have the right not to sleep in a house if they do not want to. Your comments are why our country is the way it is now. I hope you never find yourself down and out.
Unease grows amid homeless at Beach
I would just like to remind you that "there but for fortune go you and I." Perhaps you've never known any homeless people or have known only those who would still be "bums" even if they inhabited mansions. There are, I believe, far more homeless persons who are good, responsible human beings who have had a run of extraordinarily bad luck, and especially in the case of homeless and possibly mentally unstable veterans, who have been abandoned by the system that's supposed to help them. Or they've made (off with their heads!) some bad decisions and gotten into financial difficulties that way. As for the comment about Ms. Jones' glasses and jewelry, he may not be aware that those items are to be found in every sort of discount store and flea market in the area.
Replies
In the 1980's the skin heads were not the ones who shut down Greek Fest, it was in Sept. 1989 when the participants rioted and damaged business on the strip.
Mr. Pruitt did have a job and he chose to be homeless which was written in previous articles in the paper.
Just thought you would like to know.
Fact: Why are the homeless in thier situation
Callous and Ignorant best describes some folks thoughts and unbelievable comments regarding the homeless. The fact is that most homeless folks are not lazy. They are either emotionally or psychologically disturbed. We do not live in a slave state and we are a democratic socialist republic. That means we are bound by duty to take care of those who cannot care for themselves or have no one to help them. Grow up and let God continue to shine good fortune on you, your family and friends. Until then, keep your callous, offensive, and down right rude comments to yourself, you are being less than a Virginia Gentleman. In fact, read the bible and bring food to your local food drive, and never condone murder. What comes around goes around, Sir... you don't know who murdered this man, could have been anyone not necessarily the white boys... Fact: Most serious violent crimes that occur in VB performed by persons that live elsewhere, even Norfolk.
show a little effort...
Some Homeless people do have jobs. Homeless is just that "Home" "Less", without a home, not without a job . With the price of housing I don't blame them. You have to nearly be a high paid professional to be able to afford even the meekest shelter. I vote that they all do get some kind of job like grocery bagger and pay a little each to share a small house, possibly gov't subsidized. That will keep them off the street and hopefully safe. I think if they showed a little effort in trying to work more people would be willing to help. No one likes freeloaders.
sickening
I have offered homeless people a job instead of handout adn they refused. Some homeless are lazy, but killing them is not the answer.
horrible
i think this horrible incident is juat tragic. i hope he died without pain. and to answer Mark B., maybe he wasn't that close to his family, or they wanted him to find a place to live somewhere else because they couldn't hanndle another person in their home. Homeless people should not be discriminated against. i admit, some are not trying to do anything, but killing? that is just wrong
family?
why didnt he go to his family to live with?
vulnerable the homeless population?
This "vulnerable homeless population" commits more crimes then they are the victms of. They are able to work the system and get 3 free meals a day and a place to sleep at the oceanfront. Most tourists save for a year to come here and enjoy the beach.
to the idiot
Do you think most of these people choose to be homeless? A lot of these people have mental problems and with the price of medication, they cannot afford it, and therefore, cannot hold jobs. And speaking of jobs, who can live off of minimum wage with the price of housing around here. People self medicate themselves with drugs to make themselves feel "normal, "when in fact, what they really need is psych. help, like you, my friend. But, they cannot afford med.s, insurance, and the likes. It is true that the homeless want to have to help themselves, but there are several programs out there now that we need to donate to, as citizens, to help our community.It is not about wanting to work, there are a lot more circumstances involved, so get a clue.And did you stop to think this lady had a life with sunglasses and clothes before things went bad for her?Her husband could have got killed with no life insurance, and she has no job skills.think before you speak.
Suburban Rage
Fifty years ago Virginia Beach used to have signs that said "No Blacks, Jews or Dogs allowed". Thirty years ago black people were reguarly beaten and assaulted at the Oceanfront. In the 1980s skin heads shut down the Greek Festival. Now the homeless are victims of hate. What's up with Virginia Beach not liking anybody different?
Oh well. . .
Maybe now they'll move somewhere else or maybe, (this is completely unthinkable for these poor bums), get a job. The pictured woman has jewelry and sunglasses, she obviously has money. Or, she has money and would rather waste it than use it for something constructive.
Sad
So sad to hear. If this man had family here why was he homeless?