Taipei train station should not shelter homeless: officers

Railway police voiced opposition to a suggestion from the Taipei City Government to grant limited space at Taipei Railway Station to serve as a shelter for homeless people.

Railway police officer Chen Yen (陳炎) yesterday told reporters that the railway police were informed of a plan being mulled by the city government, which would allocate room in the basement floor of Taipei Railway Station for homeless people, where they can shower, rest and spend the night.

Chen said the railway police were against the idea, saying that it would attract more homeless people to the Taipei Railway Station area.

It would be very hard to manage the situation, Chen said, adding that the policy would also impact the security of passengers and the appearance of the station.

Chen said the railway police had recorded the names of more than 200 homeless individuals staying around the station. Most of them beg during the daytime and sleep in corners of the station at night.

"The number of homeless people has increased in recent years and we are seeing more beggars begging outside the station and at intersections in the area," he said.

Chen said cases had been reported involving homeless women getting undressed to wash themselves in the station's women's restrooms, giving others a shock.

A homeless man was also beaten to death recently by another homeless man inside the station, he said.

Taipei City Government's Department of Social Welfare said social workers had been patrolling the area, sending homeless people to other places to shower and have their hair cut.