Reader comments
Heat saps the homeless, pleas go out for bottled water

bottled water? I can't even afford that. What's wrong with tap water? Get a couple drinking fountains.

More compassion from no doubt another nasty neocon who view compassion as something "do-gooders" do.

Forget about donating expensive bottled water. Fill up a bunch of empty 2 liter pop bottles with good old clean tap water and donate them if you want to help.

I agree, just set up some fountains in Pioneer Park. They have taken over the park anyway. I would never even dream of taking my kids to this blight on our city. Even better, just expose the city creek that used to run through that area and give them all cups and canteens.

"taken over" the park?
As in infiltrating?
Stormed?
Shock-and-awed?
More nasty, neocon terms from nasty neocon people.

Maybe if some of these people did not spend what change they bum off people to buy cigarettes at Jeanie's Smokeshop downtown, they could afford to buy essentials like water, insect repellant and some food.

The reason they are asking for bottled water is not because of the cost; it is due to the fact that bottles filled with tap water could be tampered with. They cannot just hand out water that is unsealed.

who makes sense is DAH..The savior was homeless also and some of these people are good souls also. think twice , it's just another for u and me in paradise.

...but heavy alcohol consumption can lead to dehydration.

So if no one would give them money to buy cheap booze at the local liquor store, then they might not need the extra water. Just a thought.

I hesitate to hand out cash to homeless folks and panhandlers because you cannot insure it won't be used for drugs/alcohol etc. But I think it is a great idea to hand out bug spray and bottled water. (I understand why no home bottled water- tampering and such)

Bottled water is too expensive for my own use, but even I can spare $3 for a flat of water for those who need a drink.

This isn't about enabling the homeless, it is about giving those who thirst a drink. Bug spray to prevent sores and sickness. Have a heart!

We have been educated that bottled water is anti-green and a major contibutor to global warming. Even our city fire fighters were sent to fight fires with a cooler and washable cups rather than be given bottled water. So I ask why then can't the homeless be directed to water fountains, can't they walk to a shelter or public building for this?

There used to be drinking fountains on every corner of downtown SLC, and all over in the parks so everyone could get a drink, not just the homeless. What happened to them?

I'm sorry but it is completely ridiculous to pass out $3 bottles of water when tap water is perfectly safe and costs next to nothing.

Many homeless think nothing of picking up a dirty cigarette butt off the street that still has a few puffs left or rummaging through the garbage for a half-eaten sandwich. But now they are worried that a donated bottle of tap water may not be completely sterile? Give me a break!

Thanks to Why Not? and Duh.

Flats of water at Costco, Sam's Club, local supermarkets, etc., really don't cost that much for most families or individuals. If you can't afford bottled water Jeff P. I'm sure you live somewhere where water is readily available to you!

Sunscreen and insect repellent are more costly, but I wouldn't want to be out on the streets in Utah without them.

Small (or large) donations directly to the charity with the note that you want it to be used to purchase these particular items is an alternative. If enough donations were pooled then I'm sure it would make a significant dent.

There are men, women, families, children, and teenagers who are homeless. Not all of them are addicts, and even if some are, does that mean they do not deserve clean water and protection from the elements.

This would make a great service project (or ongoing project) for church and civil groups. It could also be adopted by individuals or families.

As Why Not? would say - WHY NOT?

I had been giving the homeless a dollar or two on a regular basis along South Temple. I will no longer do this as I understand that cash ends up buying alcohol, tobacco and drugs. Contributions of time and money to homeless centers and the United Way is the only way to go. Hand outs on the street corners only furthers the problem.

Why Not Indeed! If awards were being handed out for the most sensible, compassionate and appropriate response to this very simple response from the city, you would get my vote for first place!

The trouble is, my vote and 50 cents won't even buy you a cup of coffee, much less a bottle of water.

Never the less, your comment was right on the mark!

As a young kid I remember working on yards and going door to door selling. If it was hot, I would go up to a house and turn on a hose briefly and get a drink, then turn it off. I would typically just ask permission after doing the pitch at the door.... I guess now we have to have sealed bottled water.... come on folks think of the costs and the waste!?! How about giving each homeless person a clean 2 liter jug, a mug, and access to a faucet/hose---simple quick solution? Do we really need to hand out bottles?

I make a salary that approaches 6 figures and I don't drink bottled water for crap sakes!

I think our Christ would offer a bottle of water to His brother or sister.

Neocon talk? are you completely insane? This is another example of leftist propaganda. All problems go back to George W. Bush. The problem couldn't possibly be because Rocky Anderson had all of the water fountains removed to drive the homeless out of downtown so they would congregate in Pioneer Park. It is a self created problem that he was then able to turn around and use on his political enemies. What a bunch of hypocrites you leftists have turned out to be. Last time I checked George Bush did not make city policy for the last 15 years. Perhaps you should blame those responsible, Dee Dee Coridini, Rocky Anderson and Ralph Becker.

On the water situation, if someone wanted to poison the homeless it seems the free food handed out at holidays would be more effective. Tampering with water? Give me a break.

I thought there were problems with bottle water and the environment so he passed some kind of city ordinance against it. I am not against the plea; a simple bottle of water could end up saving a lot in medical care and I�m not really for denying either to those in need. I just hope this is planned as just a temporary quick fix and that some better long term solutions are being planed for by those we voted into office.