Thank JS. I did call the Police one night last week. It stopped 40 minutes later. It's not so easy to get back to sleep after that. I'll take your advice and contact my Ward Counselor.

Can someone direct them to Life Bridge?

Sending them to Life Bridge is not an answer. Many of the ones we see around the city, don't qualify to use Life Bridge or choose not to. You can't make them go to Life Bridge, and most are aware of it. However, if they are breaking a law, the SPD can step in. If they are not, then they have the same rights as all of us.

Salem's #1 quality of life problem!
Plus the cost of having the police dealing with what has to be 20% of their calls.
Life Bridge attracts them but won't let them in if they're drunk or on drugs, so they hang out all night all around town.

If life Bridge does accept them, then how is Life Bridge attracting the? They are a product of our society, just like the drunks stumbling out of Salem Beer or the Tavern.But since they are homeless we seem to think they don't have rights. The solution is actually the problem here. The individuals need to be addressed and their issues.
And, I would disagree, this is not the #1 quality of life issue in Salem, it's just the easiest to point to.

Jerry, sorry if I wasn't clear.
Life Bridge "attracts" them by simply being there and offering services. Most are not original Salem residents but come from elsewhere because of the services. If they show up drunk one night for those services they're not allowed in and end up in our streets instead of where they came from.
There was a time before the shelter arrived where Salem had no homeless to speak of. The Crombie St Church members (mostly from out of town themselves) decided to house a few in their basement but soon homeless were coming in from all around and the project grew to what we have now.
I do remember the pastor from Crombie St Church assuring citizens of the town he lived in at the time that a "homeless shelter will never come to (the town we live in)" but would stay in Salem.
I'm curious what you think Salem's #1 quality of life problem might be.

JS, no one has the right to be out disturbing the peace at 3:00 am while others are trying to sleep. Frankly, I don't really care where they chose to sleep. I just want them to keep quiet so my family can sleep.

I think the shelter is an attraction for ALL homeless. A homeless person certainly would consider Salem regardless if sober or not. At least if they can get in once a week it's worth the trip. They sleep all over the city and walk around with everything they own. I am not against a homeless shelter to be used when done correctly but the attraction of bad people seems to outweigh the benefit. Don't see this in Mhead ,Swampscott or Danvers and not this bad in Peabody or Beverly.

Looks like it's all been discussed...sorry I ever mentioned Life Bridge. Can we please close this issue so I don't keep getting notifications?

They're back. Brought a lot of friens with them last night.

No kidding. Best get used to it because it's pretty clear the city isn't going to do anything about this. As a matter of fact, this wonderful sanctuary city welcomes them.

Yes, best get used to it. If I read the Salem News article correctly this week, the mayor and police chief are advocating more tolerance toward the Salem's #1 Problem. Sounds like the police won't be making them move-on unless they've been drinking "It's not illegal to sit on a park bench" says our mayor. Too bad Mr Taxpayer but thanks for footing the bill!

It may not be illegal to sit on a park bench, as our mayor states, but it is certainly illegal to be yelling, swearing, spitting, urinating and defecating in alleyways and doorways and littering...all while residents try to sleep. The mayor and Police Chief clearly don't LIVE downtown. I, for one, am looking forward to election day.

Mayor's Office assigned this issue to Salem Police

noted