From the start there were rumors about the laws concerning homeless people in Oxford. One student whose parents are college professors in the United States told me that the homeless receive a monthly allowance that is increased if they have pets. Another student who prides herself on being a world traveler remarked that the homeless can stay in hostels for free in Oxford. I decided to go into the Thames Valley Police Station and ask where I could find the official codes that affect the homeless in Oxford.
Posted outside the door of the police station in a glass bulletin case are two flyers aimed toward the homeless titled: Are You New to Oxford and Sleeping Rough? One flyer is for people over twenty-two and sleeping rough, while the other is geared toward younger people. People over twenty-two are directed to a shelter on Luther Street under the program No Second Night Out. The homeless under the age of twenty-two are directed toward a shelter on Iffley Road under the Young Person’s Reconnection & Referral program. I take a deep breath and prepare myself for the world-class cheekiness of a British Police Officer.
There’s no one at the front desk when I enter the lobby except for a man using the free public phone. The condition of the man’s hair, clothes, and shoes makes me consider if he himself is homeless. He clutches the phone and seems desperate for the person on the other end of the line to pick up. There a flyers for every type of scam you can imagine, why you shouldn’t carry a knife, and the dangers of walking home drunk and alone. The only flyer that touches on the homeless encourages people to not give change because the money will probably go to drug use. There’s a buzzer to call for attention, but I choose to politely stand and wait.
A red-haired police woman comes out a few minutes later. She’s immediate and precise.
“What can I help you with?” Her accent isn’t English which catches me off guard.
“I’m doing some independent research on the homeless in Oxford.” She practically half-turns realizing I have no real emergency. “I just wanted to know where I could read the laws about homelessness in Oxford.” She shakes her head and shrugs her shoulders.
“Internet?”
“Just the internet? There isn’t a website or something?”
“Google search it.” It’s a little concerning to me that a police woman can’t tell me where I can look up the laws she enforces.
“Okay.” I think she can sense how asinine this endeavor has been for me.
“There is a night shelter on Speedwell Street. You could go there.” I write Speedwell Street down in my Field Notes. She adds, “Be careful.” Then she turns and disappears back into the report center. I can hear the conversation between her and a male officer about me. I swear I heard her partner laugh and say,
“Google it.”
I make a note that at some point I need to stop in the Speedwell Street shelter for myself.
Word Slurpee 