Instead of just complaining about the anti-homeless spikes her city installed, this mother decided to do something about it.
In the last year or so, anti-homeless spikes have become a controversial topic. For those unfamiliar with the idea, these are short spikes that make an area that a homeless person would typically sleep uncomfortable. Businesses install them to keep homeless people from sleeping or spending the day in front of their property.
Most companies try to make them discreet to reduce the risk of public outcry. Even so, every time these spikes are installed somewhere, at least several people are sure to complain, citing the unfairness to the homeless. Instead of just complaining, Jennie Platt took action.
When she noticed spikes at Pall Mall Court in her city of Manchester, England, back in January, she knew exactly what to do.
Platt got help from her sons and their teammates from rugby to cover up the uncomfortable spikes.
Platt and her sons, aged 10 and 11 at the time, used pillows and cushions to cover up the spikes. This effectively served the opposite purpose of the spikes’ goal. Instead of making the space uncomfortable for homeless people and keeping them away, Platt made the area as comfortable as possible. Of course, thick cushions were the only obvious method for making it possible to lay down in these areas or even just sit there for an extended period of time.
Talking to the Manchester Evening News, Platt explained:
“I saw the story on the M.E.N. website and it really angered me. I thought it was really mean and a Scroogey thing to do, it is really unnecessary. It’s a spot where people can keep warm and sheltered, people don’t need to be that mean.”
Unsurprisingly, Platt and her sons drew attention while putting the cushions in place.
“A few people were watching us and wondering what the heck we were doing, but there was quite a few homeless people who saw it and said they were going to come back there later.”
Platt went on to say that:
“It’s not doing anyone any harm them being there.”
Platt didn’t stop with just the cushions and pillows.
She also left chocolate bars and sandwiches so those who needed something to eat could have a snack. They included a sign:
“Take a seat and have a bite to eat.”
According to the BBC, Platt strongly disagreed with not only the spikes, but how they reflected on the city:
“This is not the Mancunian thing, it’s not how we treat people.”
Unfortunately, Platt did recognize that the cushions were only a temporary solution.
“I know they won’t last and I knew they’ll get wet, but the people who manage that building need to know how to treat people.”
Luckily, it isn’t only local residents like Platt who were outraged by the anti-homeless spikes.
Pat Kearney, a spokesman for the City Centre, also spoke out about the spikes, saying they are “not the answer” to those who have to sleep rough. The efforts of people like Kearney and Platt paid off as the owners of the building removed the spikes not too long after.
While the spikes were removed in this one area, Upworthy reported on numerous other types of anti-homeless infrastructure being used around the world.
Tokyo, for example, has some benches that are dangerously slippery. They were designed for discomfort so no one will be able to tolerate sleeping there or even sitting for an extended period of time. Cities closer to home, like Lincoln, Nebraska, and Salt Lake City, Utah, have installed vertical bars between seats in benches so homeless people cannot lie down.
Most people have a mindset like Platt’s and would prefer that we take steps to prevent people from becoming homeless, not stop them from finding a dry spot to sleep.
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