Week 5 Street Sheet

by Jo Ann

Joan Shay and I went last Thursday from 10 – 12. I stayed after Joan left until about 12:40 (in my car as I was alone), just in case Brenda was going to be there, I didn’t want to leave her there alone.

When I got there, Joan was already standing where we stood before at the back of MPP. We had no signs and were just standing there praying. There were two PP Volunteer Escorts wearing yellow vests patrolling the PP sidewalk. The Stanton Mobile wasn’t there yet. When the Stanton Mobile did arrive, we just continued to stand there until a representative from Stanton arrived and told us to move.

We moved to where we parked (the front Stanton lot). Then Angie, from Stanton, came (in her car) and told us we needed to stay at least 50 feet away from the Stanton Mobile (at least I think that’s what she said). A little odd, as we had moved long before that.

Also, before we were asked to move, the PP escorts walked a patient (a somewhat older woman – maybe late 30’s or 40’s) to her car which happened to be parked right next to where we were standing. Remember, we had no signs and were just standing there praying silently. We didn’t say anything at first, but finally as she was getting into her car, I simply asked “Are you ok?” She abruptly responded with a Bible Verse (I think it was James 2:13, but it could have been something else) and said “Judge not . . . ” (not sure exactly what she said (James 2:13 is about judgment and mercy, whereas Matthew 7:1 is about not judging so you will not be judged).

Anyway, I started to politely say, “I’m not judging, we’re just here to help,” but she closed her car door and that was it.  I don’t think she heard my response. The escorts said nothing, just went back to continue patrolling. Strangely, they went in shortly after we moved to the front Stanton lot, and never came back out.

On another subject, I was thinking we really should have a vest like the PP escorts do.  I found this one with 5 pockets for $14.49 on Amazon:  Misslo 5 Pockets High Visibility Zipper Front Breathable ….  Yes, it’s neon yellow (just like the PP escorts, but then Sidewalk Advocates’ logo is the yellow sun), though it looks kind of greenish to me.   Just a thought.

God bless,

Jo Anne