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Emergency food distribution lacked planning, compassion
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Published: March 19, 2009
On Friday, March 13, I participated in the emergency food distribution conducted by the Iredell County Department of Social Services in Statesville. Although some people came as early as 5:30 a.m., they were told they could not participate until 10 a.m. Participants included the elderly, some who appeared to have physical disabilities, and small children with adults.
It was raining and the temperature was very low. As people arrived, the DSS staff checked participants' paperwork and ID and then proceeded to give out a ticket with a number. Entry into the facility was not allowed at that time. This procedure created a stagnant assembly of people, which continued to grow as more people arrived and the DSS staff continued this procedure of giving out these tickets.
The front door was locked and attended by two DSS staff members and two Statesville police officers (and a school-age child who told me he had missed his school bus). This procedure was dangerous and unacceptable.
This facility inside could have accommodated the people in an orderly, safe and kind manner. (The elderly could have taken seats and been called when their provisions were ready).
Because the DSS staff did not process participants' requests upon arrival of the participants and let them enter the facility and start a flow of distribution, the assembly of people grew and stagnated outside the front door in the rain and very cold temperature.
Elderly people were not allowed inside to sit down. A DSS staff member stated to me that the elderly shouldn't be there and some one should have represented them. I was representing an 80-plus-year-old disabled person. Based upon this experience, I know that this person could not have endured this treatment. It was terrible.
One of the police officers displayed and threatened to use a Taser on anyone who did not move back.
Whoever was responsible for this program deserves a huge F — for failure. If the people had not moved back, the police would have used their Tasers, resulting in someone being injured or killed. The elderly should have been allowed access to seating out of the elements.
Once participants were inside the facility, a volunteer took these ridiculous tickets and made rude, unfriendly/unkind remarks to the people. The volunteers dispensing the food were cordial, as were the gentlemen who helped people to their vehicles.
The United States' current economic recession has forced more people to need help. It is important to know how to help people during any type of distribution! The American people on March 13 in Statesville were threatened with bodily harm by the police and subjected to improper instructions by DSS.
This process took eight hours. While it is understood that a process like this results in waiting, it does not take a nuclear physicist to implement a safe and humane strategy to disperse emergency food to people.
Future fatalities, injuries and injustices can be avoided with intelligent thought-out planning. It has to be done.
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