Today was a milestone in my life. For years, I'd ignored homeless people sleeping in banks, day and evening. I'd just gone about my business without saying a word about them to anyone, but that changed today.
I went to my local bank to put some money and I saw a homeless guy, a middle aged dude with a big rucksack and a big bag of soil, which he probably wanted to seel and a thick blanket, sleeping on the floor inside the lobby with the atm machine.
I did the responsible thing: I went outside and waited for a police car to come. I didn't have my mobile on me - it was at home charging, so I had to stay put and wait for my chance. I got one when one of the prisoner cars passed along in front of me and I waved them over.
One of them rolled down the window and I told them about the homeless guy and the officer got out and went over to the bank, while his partner found a parking space nearby. They got him out of there and let him be on his way. While he was gathering his things,the cops told me I could go about my business unmolested and I did. The senior officer gave me the thumbs up and thanked me. We said our goodbyes.
I think I did the right thing. Too many people around me don't want to get involved with homeless people, to the point where they look the other way and it's not right. Those people need to be attended to, not left to shelter wherever and whenever they can. No one should have to go through that.
From now on, if I find myself in the same position as I did today, I'll ask the police to intervene again and hopefully next time, I'll be carrying my mobile. In any event, I am now, a watchdog.