'Sad' Squatter Lived in Church Attic for Three Years

[IceWizard]

William Barker lived undetected in the attic of a
church for three years, according to Arlington
County Police. Arlington County Police Department


William Barker, 42, would attend Mass at a
church in Arlington, Virginia, and after people
left would climb a ladder into the attic, police
said.

Police only discovered Barker's living area when an air-conditioning repairman heard something in the attic.

"It was quite sad," the church's pastor said. "I
was there the whole time when the police were called in, and when he came down, I was waiting to see his face, and there was a deep sadness that I felt there."

Police arrested Barker Tuesday and charged
him with trespassing. It wasn't immediately
known if Barker had an attorney.

[Shayna]

So very sad .... wonder why the church didn't try to help him?

[Caróg liath]

Sorry state of affairs when we jail people who are homeless regardless of the reasons.

When I lived in LA there were so many homeless there I felt my heart break everyday.

One lady with a trolly used to sweep and tidy the car park outside of a Von's every night. I was there one night when the LAPD were harassing her, so I got out of my car and gave them holy hell. I know the law. She was doing a service to the community. No, she wasn't all there, but she was a human being and deserved more than just to be treated like scum.

I bought her food and gave her $20. I don't care what she did with it. None of my business. I just needed to try to help. I hope I did.

Poor man.

If you find out more @Ice Wizard, I would like to know, please? Ta.

CL

[Shayna]

Sorry state of affairs when we jail people who are homeless regardless of the reasons.

When I lived in LA there were so many homeless there I felt my heart break everyday.

One lady with a trolly used to sweep and tidy the car park outside of a Von's every night. I was there one night when the LAPD were harassing her, so I got out of my car and gave them holy hell. I know the law. She was doing a service to the community. No, she wasn't all there, but she was a human being and deserved more than just to be treated like scum.

I bought her food and gave her $20. I don't care what she did with it. None of my business. I just needed to try to help. I hope I did.

Poor man.

If you find out more @Ice Wizard, I would like to know, please? Ta.

CL

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Sorry for the previous post, still learning this forum.  

Sweet of you to try to help.  Often times, I want to help but don't feel safe to do so.


I tried to help a woman several years ago, by giving her a ride up the street. Apparently, the police saw me do it and followed me, and immediately put on their sirens to stop me.  I complied, thinking tthis was a traffic stop and wonderiget if I forgot to signal etc.


The police pulled her out of my car with guns drawn.  I was shaking all over.  Then, a big knife clattered to the ground out of the woman's clothing.  Apparetly, she was wanted for a list of charges, revolving around preying on people like me!


I got such a lecture from the police and my then-boyfriend  (now husband).  He was out of town, and I was having an asthma attack from panic.  He talked the police through how to find where I kept my inhaler, so they helped me get medicine in me and followed me home.  The police are super helpful here.  Anyway, that experience made me almost afraid to help one on one.

[Caróg liath]

I can understand that @Shayna.. no fault of your own!

I knew this woman, as I shopped at the store for years, and I am the sort that always makes eye contact with everyone (when was doing my Psychiatric Internship I remember one woman who told me the worst part of having Bi-polar was that NO ONE would look her in the eye anymore and she felt 'invisible').  The remark stayed with me, so I always engage the elderly and the infirmed when I can (sometimes it isn't safe though).

Because she and I had become 'friendly' I was outraged, she was tidy and sweet and even her trolly was so organised.   She only wanted a safe place to sleep, but there was no where for her to go!

Hence why I did what I did.

But there ARE scam artists.

It's a mad world, @Shayna.  Sad world.

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Why are youtube links not working for me?