Last week’s targeted sweep of the homeless near the Chadakoin Riverwalk in Brooklyn Square, once again, needed to happen.

Sheds in the area are a mess. Wellnow is now requiring people to be buzzed into the building, a change from earlier this year. And some of the homeless are becoming increasingly aggressive toward police officers and city officials. The situation was untenable.

It’s been two months since Mayor Kim Ecklund issued her State of Emergency regarding Jamestown’s homeless. There have been some productive meetings since then, some led by the Chautauqua County Homeless Coalition, others led by concerned citizens’ groups.

We’re hearing a lot of talk about consensus building and working together, and some progress is being made. Code Blue shelters are on pace to open. COI, the city, the county and homeless advocates need to be on the same page when it comes to the overall goal – getting the homeless under a roof and not living under the stars. The city and county seem to be pulling in the same direction. COI has expressed disappointment with sweeps, but has taken steps in the past couple of months to try to get the homeless into Social Services programs that can help. That is progress.

The situation leading up to Wednesday’s sweep near the Riverwalk, however, is not progress. A solution to short-term housing needs is desperately needed. One reason some of the homeless came back to Brooklyn Square is some have nowhere else to go. But others have no interest in making use of government programs that can help them get into hotel rooms while more permanent solutions are found. In the course of a little more than a month an area that was once again ready for public use in early August devolved into the same sort of mess that drives people away from public amenities like the Riverwalk.

Some advocates, unfortunately, seem to think the best way to help is to provide items that help the homeless survive outdoors longer. That’s counterproductive to the long-term goal of getting the homeless off the streets and ultimately leads to what we saw last week. Advocates who want to help need to work with agencies, not against them. We noted Saturday that leaders need to listen to those who work outside the realm of government even when they are difficult to work with. There should be a seat at the table for them. But those seats are never guaranteed, especially when attempts to help end up being counterproductive.

Help for the homeless has to start coming with strings. Government programs are here to help the homeless. Those who refuse that help will have to live with the consequences. There’s unfortunately not much you can do when you lead a horse to water and it refuses to take a sip.