Homeless dying on streets, don't want help [View All]

[Kadie]

Homeless dying on streets, don't want help (San Francisco)
C.W. Nevius

Saturday, August 7, 2010


There are days in this town that make you want to walk down the street whistling show tunes. And there are moments that leave you sick at heart.

Friday was the latter on Polk Street. For nearly two weeks Christopher Whalley has been watching Ricky Tomavich spiral slowly downhill. He was sleeping on the sidewalk, shivering in the night air and spending days sitting on the concrete, covered in his own filth.

"He's just giving up and allowing himself to die," Whalley said. "Two more nights on the street and he's gone."

In a kind and just world, Whalley would make a call, city services would arrive, and Tomavich would be whisked off to a warm shower, medical treatment and a snug bed. But it's never that simple.


Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/08/07/BAGE1EQ48E.DTL&tsp=1#ixzz0vvZAAt3d



Ricky Tomavich finally was involuntarily confined by emergency responders to get medical help. The limit is 72 hours.
Photo: C.W. Nevius / The Chronicle