Maybe all of these disrespectful people can simply close up shop and leave, I say they follow the lead made by the disrespectful owners of the upper decker pizza shop. A solid win win for Salem.

Saw a guy throwing beer cans out his truck window on a side street this weekend. Sad, pathetic. Ruining his own city; neighborhood. Tasteless and pathetic. We did call the police but unfortunately the guy left before. I've been walking more lately and the streets are covered in trash, cars are flying through neighborhood streets to avoid traffic lights. Everyone needs to step up and be more accountable for their actions. It's disturbing. It's hard to stand up for yourself because you don't know if that person is armed! The world we live in...

You are the voice of reason once again, Bill. We can't tolerate this behavior or encourage it by helping out those who clearly don't need it and who are aggressively asking people for money. I have heard many elderly women at the Y discussing how they gave a man in a wheelchair money because he had blocked them from leaving their car or driving away. More people need to learn to say no to panhandlers so the behavior does not become "normalized." If you want to attract birds, put out birdseed. If you don't put out birdseed, birds learn to survive on their own. Bars also must be conscious about over-serving. It is no coincidence that more crimes are in the police logs after 1AM.

They must be people who were born and raised somewhere else! What makes Salem so attractive to these characters? Being born and raised in Salem, I take pride in the city that is so full of history and great people. Salem is the littlest big city on the planet where everyone knows everyone who was brought up here - it's evident by the close ties people share through Facebook and other social media outlets. Why is Salem So attractive to drunken vandals that should have "outgrown" the urge to destroy things that don't belong to them? I seriously doubt that any of the destructive incidents were perpetrated by anyone who was brought up in the area. Yes, as kids, we all may have done little things that were nothing more than mischief or just kids being kids - but when a grown man or woman pull plants from window boxes or pours soap in a fountain, there's something seriously wrong with that individual. What's to stop them from more serious or personal attacks? When a vagrant or someone with mental health issues does commit a destructive act they are still accountable for their actions - they DO know right from wrong and if they don't the homeless shelters that house them should also make them accountable by refusing anyone who commits a a destructive crime against property in Salem.

Well that's what you get when you put them all down there.....refering to that "Alternative School" what a joke.

I am not clear about the "rules" regarding panhandlers. Are their activities illegal? If so, I'm "in" for photographing and reporting their activities. One of them has blocked my entrance into a store more than once, or made it unpleasant for me to walk and shop in Salem. I am very proud that Salem has a shelter for the homeless, a food pantry and other services for those who need them. I support these services whenever I can, a better choice than handing change to a panhandler.

One of the wheelchair guys can walk. I was shocked to see him get up out of his power chair and walk away one day. I'm betting he's the one blocking women in their cars. He's pretty aggressive. Even banged on my car window more than once when I hadn't noticed him.

lmao "the wheelchair guys". Totally infamous. I hate how that one dude never actually ASKS for money - he just puts his hand out to you and shouts "HEY!" And he's the one who spends the money on scratch tickets and beer, I have seen it myself.

Even though I advocated approaching offenders in a comment on your dog poop article, I must say that when it comes to people who may not be of sound mind (because of their mental health state, level of inebriation, or whatever) it's not as easy for everyone to stand up for the city. Camera phones are a good weapon, but it would be pretty easy for one to be knocked out of your hand. After October I have found that it's not safe for a woman to be downtown alone after 4 pm. I think some homeless and destitute people get a little more desperate when they get that first taste of cold weather. In the Summer and warmer times they seem less aggressive because having nowhere to warm up isn't as much of an issue. The drunks work in the opposite way, staying out later and acting crazier in the warmer evenings. I know there is a camera on the Common, are there any on the pedestrian mall?

When a city and it's leadership (The Mayor, state rep, etc) entices homeless shelters, low income housing, poor performing schools, methadone clinics, garbage dumps,etc to the area what you get is above average crime, vandals, dog crap everywhere, drunks, broken bottles, drug addicts, garbage and people who just don't care about anything but themsleves here in the city.

Bill, Maybe an interview with Mayor Driscoll and what her vision of salem is should be is in order. Let's hope someone runs against her in the next election cycle. It would be nice if the Patch would raise the bar when it comes to asking the mayor tough questions. We all know the SEN won't.

Didn't read the article because "Drunks and panhandlers" was so offensive. You may have a lot of value to say in your article but these titles are pretty ignorant.

High Five Bill for your comment about Bill W.!

Back in the 30's & 40's, there was a group of a dozen or so "Bums" that the police called "The Board of Directors". They slept in doorways, could be found waiting at the door to open "cafe's" like the Alamo at 8 AM. The train depot smelled like a huge urinal;because that's what they used it for. Salem was a different place then. The last of this group survived in Salem until the early 80's, still drunk & stinking from vomit. Their kin still live on in the edges of our world. . The friends of Bill W. do what they can as do others. Not nice, but they represent a small part of society that will, in some way , always be with us.

I have seen some of these undesireables sitting in the bus shelter outside the Tavern restaraunt for hours at a time.SPD drive by that location all day long yet they continue to hang out there. Although the shelter does not allow these people in,I think the shelter is a big factor in attracting them to Salem. The mayor and police chief support the shelter I suppose because they feel without it the problem would be much worse. We also have known sex offenders walking the streets and the needle problem has become a daily occurence. As this problem continues to grow it will have a very negative impact on the tourist season. I have seen the faces of tourists shocked by some of what they see and many times I see fear in their faces. What's the solution? In a free society even a homeless drunk has rights.

Added a photo and video.

Last summer the fountain was not even on most of the time and the one at museum place is falling apart and I dont recall seeing any water there all summer

The fountain at Museum Place was not on all last summer. It has no water pump.

The fountain at Town House square was on and filled last summer but was shut down four different times because it was soaped. The video posted in this thread was filmed during one of those incidents last summer. After the fourth and final soap incident the fountain was left dry for the remainder of the season.

I am curious if the water pump could have been replaced in exchange for the $60k we are paying for the empty parking lot on Derby St? The museum place fountain is in severe disrepair. Another Question for the mayor!!

The situation with both fountains distress me. The one at Museum Place tells the story of Salem and its far east trade. Every time I walk by and see it's condition I feel sadness.

Having experience with budgets and priorities I understand that sometimes small items will fall by the wayside. Understanding this does not mean that I like it.

I moved to Salem 10 years ago and fell in love with the city. Now I don't feel comfortable walking in the downtown area b/c I'm constantly harassed for money, ciggs and now some even ask for drugs. I go out to do my errands early in the morning and get home quickly. In addition to the vandals and aggressive panhandlers there are 68 level three sex offenders listed in Salem. I won't bring my nieces and nephews here b/c it's a joke. I for sure don't feel very safe. Heck some of the local establishments even hire the level 3's to play music. (aka Preacher Jack) so if they don't see any problems with the element why would I want to patronize their business. I love the Shanty and will go there in the afternoon when friends and family visit but otherwise I'm staying in with the door locked.

Anyone Remember CB?? The sailor man? What about Bozo? They used to sleep in the morgy boxes on riley plaza.