Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Agencies investigate string of Greenway fires ... Rogue River man gets prison for shooting at newspaper carriers ... Teenager sentenced to jail for freeway incidents ... Agencies investigate string of Greenway fires ... Rogue River man gets prison for shooting at newspaper carriers ... Teenager sentenced to jail for freeway incidents ... GRANTS PASS Security concerns end meals for street people Mission was dealing with too many weapons, unpredictable people Comment By Shaun Hall Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Shaun Hall Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Jun. 29, 2016 at 4:47 PM By Shaun Hall Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Jun. 29, 2016 at 4:47 PM » Social News A tradition of serving daily meals to people living on the streets has come to an end at the Grants Pass Gospel Rescue Mission. The decades-old practice of serving breakfast, lunch and dinner to people who are not also residents of the downtown mission has fallen victim to concerns about security. On average, around 30 people were fed at each meal — in addition to the more than 100 people who reside at the mission on any given day. The mission has provided meals "since Walt Fikso started the place," mission director Ken Emilio said Tuesday, one day after the meals ended. The concern is with unpredictable people off the street mixing with residents who are trying to turn their lives around, and with potentially violent people causing harm or further trauma to mission residents — including children — already in crisis. "The street dynamic has changed in the years I've been here," said Emilio, who has been director five years and was a board member for three years before that. "Gospel Rescue Missions are dealing with violent behavior. I just can't let in people off the streets. "There's been a very large increase in the number of weapons that have come into this mission," he continued. "We're seeing the weaponry become more and more substantial." A standing rule is that weapons are checked at the door. No one incident prompted the change, Emilio said, but figuring into the decision was an incident in 2013 when a man barged into the family shelter, beat a woman volunteer who had helped the man's estranged wife, and doused several people, including a child, with pepper spray. The volunteer, who was hospitalized for a week, later sued the mission, claiming lax security. That security now includes locked doors and video surveillance. The mission's men's shelter and family shelter are located side-by-side at Foundry and G streets, on the western fringe of the city's downtown. Most nights, the mission houses 60 women and children, and 50 men. In a sign of the times, Grants Pass police were at the mission last week conducting safety training and risk assessments for intruders and other dangerous people. Public Safety Director Bill Landis said similar services are provided to other organizations, including giving them advice that Landis characterized as "run, hide, fight." The hope is that someone in time of crisis, even when fear and shock have taken hold, might recall those words and act. "When you're polarized with fear, you actually might remember … so you don't become a victim," Landis said. Emilio hopes that anyone inconvenienced by the change in policy considers becoming a resident. "We don't want them to stay on the streets," he said. "We'll change your lives. We'll help change your lives." The change was made after going through the theology of the matter. "Jesus said we are to give aid and comfort," Emilio said. But, there also is a weighing process that involves helping and hurting. In addition to elimination of the meals program, people off the street also may no longer use the mission's showers. Free meals are available elsewhere in town, most notably at the St. Vincent de Paul dining hall, on Seventh Street between M and L streets. Also, there might soon be a charity mobile food trailer that serves food at various spots around town, according to Emilio. Women's shelter resident assistant Farrah Guthrie said she has a 12-year-old daughter who she wants to keep safe. "She's a priority for me," she said. "I want to feed the poor, but she comes first." Reach reporter Shaun Hall at 541-474-3722 or [email protected] By Shaun Hall Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Shaun Hall Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Jun. 29, 2016 at 4:47 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501