how to deter homeless and or drunks from sitting on your stoop

[randy]

Hi,

I live in a 3 unit brownstone and too often late at night there are drunks or homeless people sitting (or even sleeping) on my steps. Its a real pain to deal with and I don't wish to cause trouble, but sometimes drunks or homeless try to pick a fight even when you ask them to move. I sometimes call 3-1-1 to have the cops deal with it, but as the homeless/drunks are always different it doesn't help for the future.

I talked to the other condo owners and we are in agreement that we wish for this to stop but they are hesitant to install a gate or fence as they feel it will be just another hindrance when bringing in groceries, bicycles and such (one has a baby).

Any ideas out there to help prevent stoop ocupiers besides a fence/gate or is this really our only solution?

Thanks.

[stache]

A large dog.

[Ninjahedge]

If you want to prevent them from being there the only ways you can LEGALLY do so are to call the cops or install a fence.

Unlike spikey railings, there is no practical way to make your steps uncomfortable to sit on.

[NYCTaxiDriver]

Do you live in lower Manhattan? I would try uptown, much quieter at night.

[lofter1]

A very bright porch light. For the neighbors sake it should be a spotlight, aimed directly at the steps.

[Ninjahedge]

Not a bad idea.

[Hof]

Encourage the stoop-sleeping homeless to go a little ways downtown and join the "Occupy Wall Street" crowd for awhile. Those people have nice tents to sleep in and a plate of beans every damn day, you could tell them. If fresh homeless show up, tell them that all their friends went downtown, and and be sure to give them good directions ( since most of them are from out of town).
Then, while they are gone, go find a few of the neighborhood's ganged-up youth and invite them to your stoop. Tell them that they are free to smoke, drink and deal their drugs out front all night long, if they choose . You might even offer to buy the first beer for them.

When the homeless stop occupying the "Occupy Wall Street" spaces and return to the comfort of your front door, they'll see the drunken gangs and move on. The homeless can't afford drugs, and despite how it looks, they really hate confrontations.

Be sure to discuss this with the other tenants in your building before you do anything.

[Ninjahedge]

I find playing episodes of the O'Reilly Factor helps keep them away... but you just might find another pest hovering around your doorstep....


Damn investment bankers.......

[lofter1]

A very bright porch light.

FYI: I didn't insert that link found in my original post. Looks like eBay controls things behind the scenes!!!

[it's not showing up in the quote, but maybe the cyber-linking slides in sometime later???????]

Aha!! Yes, it's showing up here and there.

And now it's gone