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David Stanley Ford

Hoarder problem growing in Oklahoma

BY MICHAEL MCNUTT    Comments Comment on this article49
Published: October 25, 2009

Local and state officials are at a loss to explain the recent increase in cases of compulsive hoarding, but say better cooperation is needed to spot the largely hidden phenomenon before it becomes deadly or causes a health risk to neighbors.

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Hoarding is the excessive collection of items, along with the inability to discard them. Hoarding often creates such cramped living conditions that homes may be filled to capacity, with only narrow pathways winding through stacks of clutter. Some people also collect animals, keeping pets in unsanitary conditions.

Hoarding, also called compulsive hoarding and compulsive hoarding syndrome, can be a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, many people who hoard don’t have other OCD-related symptoms, and researchers are working to better understand hoarding as a distinct mental health problem.

In the homes of people who engage in compulsive hoarding, countertops, sinks, stoves, desks, stairways and virtually all other surfaces are usually stacked with things. People who hoard animals may collect dozens or even hundreds of pets. They usually hoard animals that can be confined inside and concealed more easily.

Clutter and difficulty discarding things are usually the first symptoms of hoarding. These early indications of a problem usually surface during the teenage years. As an affected person grows older, he or she typically starts acquiring things for which there is no need or space. By middle age — when the condition is usually diagnosed — symptoms are often severe and difficult to treat.

Source: Mayo Clinic

Troy Skow, environmental field supervisor with the Oklahoma City-County Health Department, said inspectors have noticed an increase in hoarders in the past year. All involve women between the ages of 50 and 90, he said.

"It’s on the rise like crazy,” Skow said.

He said 60 to 70 percent of the worst residence complaints have involved a hoarder.

Two Oklahoma County women in recent months have been found dead in their homes, surrounded by stacks of items and filth. The outside of their homes didn’t seem unusual, but inside, the mold, trash and stacked items were hard to comprehend, officials said.

Terry Humphrey, director of the city of Edmond’s code enforcement division, last week told a House committee it took nine firefighters about two hours to get to a dead woman found in trash on the kitchen floor of an Edmond house a couple of months ago. Crews removed two tons of garbage from her home.

Water had been cut off to the house for six years, he said. She kept her urine in cups and took a bath in a neighbor’s house once a week. None of the lightbulbs in her house worked, Humphrey said.

Neighbors never complained, Humphrey said. She failed to show up for work, and her employer contacted police. Edmond officials would not identify the woman for this story.

Jeff Lytle, a neighbor of Kitty Lewis, whose decomposing body was found in May in a chair in her northwest Oklahoma City home, spoke of the frustrations of trying for years to get something done about her home.

"This not an isolated incident,” said House minority leader Danny Morgan, D-Prague, who asked for a study to look into how local and state agencies can respond to such cases. "Ultimately what I want out of this is the ability of our agencies to communicate better with themselves.

"Obviously some of the first responses are going to be from animal control officers or our code enforcement people, and I want them to rest assured that if they make a complaint or they file a report somebody’s going to do something with it.”

‘Oklahoma problem’
Hoarders accumulate items such as bags, newspapers, books or animals. They keep collecting them until the items take over their living space. The condition is becoming more known because of the "Hoarders” television program on the A&E cable network.

"This is a state of Oklahoma problem,” Humphrey said. "This happens in communities all across Oklahoma.”

Children found living in such conditions are removed, Humphrey said. But not much can be done with adults who choose to live in those conditions, he said. Usually code officials don’t know about such instances because hoarders usually live by themselves and don’t socialize much.

Skow said hoarders learn how not to get noticed: They keep entranceways to their homes clear, they don’t answer the door, and they cover the windows.

Humphrey said one option is to make hoarding a crime, but he cautioned against that.

"We’ve got to get them help and not turn them into a criminal,” he said.

Humphrey suggested a possible law could require code enforcement officers and municipal employees to report to the state Department of Human Services instances of suspected hoarding.

Possible indicators of hoarding include no utilities being used, trash containers not being put out for pickup and entryways cluttered with items left for delivery.

"You can’t arrest them,” Morgan said, "but you can certainly see that they get treatment and if they’re not going in for their treatment somebody needs to be reporting it.”

Steve Buck, deputy commissioner of prevention for the state Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Department, said many hoarders may consider themselves merely collectors.

"Just because we see hoarding doesn’t mean that person is a risk to himself,” he said.

Early help urged
Photographs taken of the Lewis home after she died showed thick spider webs hanging from ceilings and black mold on walls and furniture.

The kitchen sink and stove were covered with items. At least a dozen cats were living with Lewis, 61, in the house as well; feces from the cats and rodents along with the mold made it difficult to breathe, Skow said.

In 1996, 2004 and 2006, the Oklahoma City County Health Department deemed the home unfit for human habitation because of trash and debris, animal feces throughout the house and generally filthy conditions. The house was demolished, at the city’s expense, in August.

Lytle said he called adult protective services to check on Lewis. She was taken away for three days in 1996 and about four hours in 2004.

But she was returned to her home both times, he said.

"If positive help had come early enough we might have had a different outcome. But it didn’t.”

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David Stanley Ford





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Dear All, hoarding is a complicated disorder that is associated with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, it does happen all over the world and it looks to be rearing it's ugly head as more older people are dying because of it. If you know someone who may be silent suffering please read below:

Hoarders on A&E is casting its second season of the documentary television series that sheds much needed light on this complicated and underreported condition. Each hour long episode will follow two individuals who suffer from this disorder through a crisis situation that is directly caused by their hoarding. We will provide free services for the hoarder, such as mental health support, professional organizers, and professional clean up and/or junk removal services. Each case will be considered on an individual basis, and services will be tailored to fit individual needs. What we are looking for: 1. Individuals willing to tell their story. 2. Individuals motivated to change by a ticking clock, or crisis caused by hoarding that needs to be addressed immediately. 3. We need to show how the hoarding has impacted friends and/or loved ones. These individuals will need to appear on camera and share their side of the story. Please go to our website to learn more information and to apply: [www.aetv.com] You can also email us at Hoarders@sfpseattle.com or call 206-767-1804 Please feel free to ask any questions.
Megan, Seattle - Oct 26, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Some folks are pigs and refuse to shoulder any adult responsibility. My ex wife is like that, she refused to cook or clean or do the laundry. I did everything for 3 years and got sick of her.

My life without her is so much nicer. My house is 1500 sq ft. I clean half one week, the other half the next. If I find something in a cabinet or closet that I haven't used in the past year or doesn't work anymore, I throw it out. Hey, that's what I did with the ex!!
Gary, Oklahoma City - Oct 26, 2009 at 3:46 pm
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Nobody is talking about locking someone up because of lifestyle choices. But if a person is incapable of meeting his or her basic daily needs due to a mental illness, they should receive adequate care and treatment. If they can remain in their home and be safe with outpatient community services, super. If not, there are provisions in law - albeit unused - to provide supervised residential treatment. There are similar provisions for those suffering from health-related issues who are unable to make informed decisions about their care.

Neil, as far as hoarding, every situation I've seen has involved pretty significant health risks. Never for a minute think that someone who's a compulsive shopper is representative of hoarders. In most cases, the homes are infested with insects and vermin, and present a very real danger to the person living there and neighbors. As far as danger to themselves or others, the law says that includes when "the person is unable to provide for and is not providing for the basic physical needs of the person." Now if you want to argue that the person isn't at imminent risk of serious physical harm or death, go ahead. Just be as equally willing to stand up and face the music when the person found dead amidst the squallor.
MartzMimic, Oklahoma City - Oct 26, 2009 at 2:37 pm
paul is a coward.
Grant, Edmond - Oct 26, 2009 at 10:47 am
In the absence of breaking a law, You can't lock people up just because you don't like how they choose to live. That's insane.
Amber, norman - Oct 26, 2009 at 10:29 am
I would like to address several issues raised thus far. First, people who own their home can do pretty much what they like in their home as long as it is not illegal and does not endanger self or others so hoarding is not "illegal" and can't be regulated by law. You can regulate exterior upkeep as a health hazzard. Second, people can't be held against their will by anybody - especially the government if they are not a danger to themselves or others - and once treated and on medication hoarders are not a danger at that time to themselves or others. That they may go off their medications is not a major concern at the time release is considered. The other consideration is the limited facilities available for caring for the mentally ill. The release from care for the mentally ill is a medical decision to be made by mental health professionals. Hoarding is not a choice, is is not lazy, it is a compulsion resulting from mental disfunction. Family is often powerless to help or prevent the behaviour. For a family member to take bodily control of a hoarder by guardianship requires a showing that they lack the ability to care for themselves either physically or mentally. That is a tough burden and in the case of hoarding, would require a showing that the compulsion had created a condition, usually sanitary, that is harmful to the person. A little compassion, caring about neighbors, and willing authorities are what is needed to address the problems coming about from hoarding.
Neil, Oklahoma City - Oct 26, 2009 at 7:15 am
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This Hoarding thing happened all over the world not just Oklahoma. It is not a mental problem, these people don't hurt people and animals. The best way to improve overall community welfare, is to have social service in cooperation with local public help to clear and clean up periodically the unhealthy stuff. No need to commit anybody to mental health facility and wasting tax payers' money. These people are living out their lonely life. Put yourself in their shoes, nothing left in life.
John, stillwater - Oct 26, 2009 at 12:28 am
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Terry, you make some good points, but I would say this: it's not agencies (plural) that won't talk. It's singular. I've been in meetings where ODMHSAS has told judges that they - not the courts - will decide when a person is released from inpatient care. In most "frequent flier" cases, the problem isn't the assessment. The person has been assessed many times over. The problem is that our mental health system isn't interested in long-term solutions.
MartzMimic, Oklahoma City - Oct 25, 2009 at 11:48 pm
There have been number of well-publicized cases involving animals here in Oregon, dogs, cats and sometimes numbers of starving horses. One woman had hundreds of rabbits in an around her house. She was barred from keeping animals but then they caught her with a couple dozen bunnies in a motel room. Often they start with good intentions to rescue animals but it gets out of hand and beyond their ability to cope. Those who hoard stuff are at least only hurting themselves. Of course it's an illness and these are usually sad lonely people.
Mike - Oct 25, 2009 at 10:47 pm
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Albert if you could read you would see that my post was about tx and help for these people. However since you cant read or read between the lines, I reposted another post to address Paul from Yukon whom seems to hate Oklahoma and at times is on but for the most part is a hater and likely a bitter individual from Seattle whom is just inflitarating these posts or a coward one, jeez grow up and get some as you obviously dont have any. And we see Paul's response, one of cowardice. Jeez maybe he is right, we are an inbred cant read between the line state?
Terry, Norman - Oct 25, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Any of you people who think that this is just an "Oklahoma" problem is an idiot. That is like saying that drug addicts and alcoholics are only in Oklahoma too. This is a mental illness, not a choice. I am not talking about lazy people who would rather sit in their own filth. This problem exists all around the world. I am glad to see our state actually take a chance on a solution with how to deal with it.
Todd, norman - Oct 25, 2009 at 10:23 pm
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Sam, I agree. Nobody wants Sanford & Son moving into their neighborhood. We do have laws that should be enforced that can help. I know the area, I just can't place the house. Code Enforcement should attend to this, I do not see why they do not. My stepson lived just east of Fretz this summer. When his mower broke and he went a month without mowing, Code Enforcement gave him notice. I believe several houses on his block were given notices as well. In my neighborhood in OKC I couldn't have a flat tire for more than a day without given citation.
Dan, edmond - Oct 25, 2009 at 10:11 pm
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Edmond has another hoarder family - on W. Main Street, a block or 2 west of Fretz. Except this one is a man who hoards all over his back yard. Logs, rocks, buses - yes buses. It's unbelievable. I can't imagine what the inside looks like. Must own more than one or two of the houses. Been complaining for years to Code Enforcement office but NOTHING has been done. Matter of fact, its growing! Its absolutely a mental illness. But when its affecting a neighborhood and there are laws in place, it should be cleaned up. End of story.
Sam, Oklahoma City - Oct 25, 2009 at 10:05 pm
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Paul did emerge during the Seattle move to OKC. He used to be a sports forum troll, now he has infected this whole site..Good point Terry..
Rads, Oklahoma City - Oct 25, 2009 at 9:58 pm
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If it's just laziness, then why is it that when an intervention is done - when family &/or friends remove the person from the situation, clean up the mess and make it sanitary and livable again - does the person react with such distress? These are things that they can assign a specific reason for having, whether it be an old pizza box or piles of newspapers. We can't see the value in it, but for some unknown reason, they can. If it were laziness, they'd be relieved to come home to a clean house.
Lesley, Woodward - Oct 25, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Janet, your comment scares me deeply. Giving the government the power to detain people who are depressed, lonely, scared, whatever mental issue they have, is not the right idea. Most of the commentators here are basing their knowledge on a TV show. How many hoarders do you know personally? I know 4 of them, all four have different reasons why they do this. Let me break them down so you can understand where they are coming from, then you tell me how much power the government should have to force them into treatment.

The first is the most wonderful woman I have ever known. She grew up during the depression where every single thing her family owned became a blessing. As an young woman she married a brutal man who abused her in many ways (sexual, verbal and physical) and finally left her with nothing. By this time her parents had died and her siblings were spread about the country. She recalled her childhood, remembering how she felt blessed when they had nothing and resorted to that mentality. She worked very hard her whole life, retiring at 68, yet she was a pack rat who saved every newspaper, button, article of clothing, etc. None of this was trash, at least not in her mind, and it was all worth something to someone.

Next is a man whom, after his father died, decided to research his family tree and learn who his relatives are. He learned to value old newspapers, birth and marriage and death records, hand written letters from 20, 50, 100+ years ago. He searched out headstones and cemeteries, public records, historical societies and any possible way to connect the dots of those who came before him. He wrote books, published many articles, is requested to speak on many occasions about history and genealogy. Within all this study and work he realized the value of most peoples trash.

One man lost his wife and kids. In his depression he walked through the rooms of his lonely house looking through all the items of his family, just so he could know them better, even though they were gone. He had realized that he spent too much time working rather than having a good relationship with his family, yet he was too late and only then became fascinated with who they were. Every item they owned became a treasure. Once he was at that point, all items became a treasure, at least to someone.

The last man does fit into the category most of you understand. He was schizophrenic and a drug addict. When he was on his meds he was great, then he would convince himself he didn't need them anymore and would get bad again. Within this cycle he would destroy his home during the bad times and clean it up during the good. As time went on he started to believe that the items that would build up in his house encased the knowledge and wisdom as to why he would get bad. By wondering what had set him off he would reread through the last bad spell and look for clues. He never found anything. Last I heard of him he was hit by a train and survived.

Now, of those four people, do all of them need to be forced into a mental institution, as Janet has suggested?
Dan, edmond - Oct 25, 2009 at 8:36 pm
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This is not about States but about people who need our good thoughts and prayers so they can receive the help they need in order to stay in their homes and not be tossed out with the garbage.

Comments made not addressing this issue in a positive and helpful light should be addressed to the toilet where you fished your unhelpful comments from alas again.

Sincerely
Keith Kemp
Keith, San Francisco - Oct 25, 2009 at 8:16 pm
Why would anyone bring up something about "Seattle" when the story is about a seemingly growing "Oklahoma problem"? Deflecting a sick situation that is going on in this state when someone makes a post about it (Terry) is just a testament to and proves that there is somthing terribly wrong with the psyche of the people in this state,...i.e the discussion on here in excusing it as a "mental health" problem.
ALBERT, BETHANY - Oct 25, 2009 at 7:43 pm
You guys really hate it when somebody points out how badly this state SUCKS, don't ya, Terry??

Just remember, it is what you've made it(and we all see what you've made it).....
paul, yukon - Oct 25, 2009 at 7:11 pm
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The government should be given more power to take these people to a mental health facility. But of course, we will need more money for these mental health facilities.
Janet, Oklahoma City - Oct 25, 2009 at 7:05 pm
I think Paul is one of those disgruntled seattle folks that seem to produce many serial killers out of Washington state. Hmm Paul whats your deal reveal yourself if you have the courage. I have heard of these Seattle Sickos just squallin and balling about losing their team they wouldnt support. So Paul are u from Seattle, you say Yukon but I can say i am from Siberia on here if i want. How about the truth? Or is that just too hard for you to handle. Some things you are kind of funny on but this is a barrage and you have an agenda here so if I have missed please indulge me, it will just make you type a few more sentances. Its okay you can do it.
Terry, Norman - Oct 25, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Hoarding is a symptom of something else like depression and possibly adiction. Its a cluster symptom usually. OCD is usually one piece of the puzzle. Every case is different. Those mentioned are the extreme. I wonder if there was a joint program with city officials, DHS APS and ODMHSAS to really do a complete thorough evaluation meaning an MMPI on these folks that are in the extreme area. If done correctly and gently this kind of testing can open door ways into the mind of these sufferers to where they might be more open to help. An MMPI is largely a patient driven assessment unless they cant read and the time is taken up in interpretation and writing the assessment. What is really sick is that state agencies along with their local governments are not willing to talk with each other so they can fulfill their respective agencies mission statements. This problem is easily solved only if they would get together and work together and gently ease these mentally ill people into getting some help for their problem. Its really a no brainer however doubt it will happen because of the turfism involved, hope I am wrong. A judge in these extreme situations can order an assessment and treatment though court ordered treatment is no more or better than not, its about the delivery of the service which can make or break these kind of cases. Maybe they already do this and I dont know if so then kudos to those involved you did your best and sometimes it just doesnt work out.
Terry, Norman - Oct 25, 2009 at 6:03 pm
First off, Tom, there is no quote in the story from DHS, so I'm unsure what comment you are referring to. Hoarding is a mental health issue. Oklahoma law makes provision for long-term residential treatment for those deemed "in need of treatment" because they are mentally ill and unable to provide for their own basic care. Unfortunately, ODMHSAS, law enforcement and our courts ignore all but the provisions which speak to those threatening harm to themselves or others. Even when an involuntary commitment is pursued, few receive more than a cursory 72-hour assessment. Rarely will a person be required to receive long-term treatment, even after several commitments. Instead, they are referred to outpatient community mental health services. They, in turn, fail to notify the district attorney's office whenever an individual fails to comply with the discharge plan.

When Adult Protective Services is called into a situation where a person is mentally ill without an underlying health issue or cognitive impairment (such as Alzheimer's Disease), by law they are essentially limited to filing a third-party statement asking the district attorney to file a petition for involuntary commitment. The story indicates that APS did all that the law allows, once getting a 72-hour commitment. It's likely that the "four hour" removal was likely a gatekeeping assessment by ODMHSAS emergency services staff, who then declined to recommend an involuntary committment.
MartzMimic, Oklahoma City - Oct 25, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Blame it on junk mail...
willis, oklahoma city - Oct 25, 2009 at 5:00 pm
They dint name her Kitty for nuthin',at the end
of the article,it sez that they found at least a
dozen cats livin' with her including cat and
rodent crap.So I guess she dint have to buy cat food if
mice were included in the grand scheme of things.
toeknee, okc - Oct 25, 2009 at 4:35 pm
I agree with Albert. A newspaper's job is not to upset me or any other reader. Some of us live in Bethany and would like to wait for the Rapture peacefully without having to think of gross stuff.
Bumpy, Oklahoma City - Oct 25, 2009 at 3:48 pm
True Kandice, Moore...but that's not the case for everyone that I've witnessed on "Hoarders"...a few of the people are just truly lazy and I don't think any mental healthcare will help (last thing they need are more drugs!)--just someone come in and clean up the place and he/she can go on with their lives. The show has had some success with people afterwards who swear they'll keep their place clean now that the trash is removed; they couldn't do it by themselves...
The G.O.A.T., Oklahoma City - Oct 25, 2009 at 3:47 pm
I don't think anyone in their right mind would chose to live this way. Hoarding is a mental illness just like obsessive compulsive disorder, bulemia, or anorexia. It is often caused by post traumatic stress disorder or another underlying mental health issue. I'm surprised by the number of people who think "true" hoarding could be fixed if the person just stopped being lazy. These people need to receive mental healthcare. They aren't doing this to be a bad neighbor.
kandice, moore - Oct 25, 2009 at 3:16 pm
What a SICK story to have to read or even to comprehend. "This is a state of Oklahoma problem", wow...that's some sick stuff Oklahoma.
ALBERT, BETHANY - Oct 25, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Paul, Yukon--come on man, be more original than that. It's TOO easy to pick on us Oklahomans with our history and all...growing up, my family in California thought us "Okies" ride horses to school or we didn't even have cable television...
The G.O.A.T., Oklahoma City - Oct 25, 2009 at 2:39 pm
I am wondering, if the hoarding problem is possibly linked to heredity and genetics, some part of the brain that causes and triggers that behavior. Or perhaps, the problem stems from one's environment, or maybe both. I have noticed firsthand, it seems to always run in families... The old term used was "pack rat".
Sharon, Oklahoma City - Oct 25, 2009 at 2:29 pm
christopher- retard, he is not from oklahoma. he is from the promised land.
jeff, edmond - Oct 25, 2009 at 2:21 pm
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Paul from Yukon. If it is so bad why don't you lead the way and show us how to leave this okieland.
Christopher, Blanchard - Oct 25, 2009 at 1:44 pm
ebing=being
paul, yukon - Oct 25, 2009 at 1:37 pm
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"this is Oklahoma after all--are we going to be #1 in hoarders as well?!"---------------------Why not? Okies and okieland are best at ebing worst, and worst at being best in every other category, why change direction now?

From the way this state constantly drops lower in rankings each and every year, it's obvious okies ENJOY being the illiterate, complacent, laughingstock of the nation, cause they sure don't do anything to improve.

The stats prove it, so don't any of you clod kickers try and convince us otherwise....



paul, yukon - Oct 25, 2009 at 1:37 pm
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Who's business is it? Neighbors don't have the right to tell anyone what they can have and can't have.
UnSub, Yukon - Oct 25, 2009 at 1:34 pm
I've watched the show also and crack up every time at their expense. It's when people finally get help that we see more problems. On the show "Hoarders", I've seen two types of people who help: One that gets the job DONE by throwing/organizing all their stuff and the other type that will hold the hoarder's hand and make them have an emotional connection with every damn article (and not one room gets cleaned this way!). If people really want help, start by getting off your lazy ass and throw some stuff away! Don't lose your house or family because of this---do you need to be slapped in face or something to wake up finally! I know I sound alittle mean about it, but people need to have some type of pride in themselves or at least find help before it's too late. Well, what am I trying to say here--this is Oklahoma after all--are we going to be #1 in hoarders as well?!
The G.O.A.T., Oklahoma City - Oct 25, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Compulsive hoarding is a mental disorder. It is NOT an issue of compulsive shopping. The people afflicted by this disorder keep things that no mentally healthy person will keep: old food containers, used paper towels, some have been known to keep used sanitary napkins. They become so obsessed with it that you end up with these situations where people are found dead in piles of trash.

It is not the same as a compulsive collecting of one thing, usually. This is not a State of Oklahoma problem; it is a world problem.
sjo, OKC - Oct 25, 2009 at 1:10 pm
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Beware of the "Corn Hoarder's"!
jo, edmond - Oct 25, 2009 at 1:01 pm
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"This is a state of Oklahoma problem,” Humphrey said. "This happens in communities all across Oklahoma.”"---Illiterate okies see it on television and then it's "monkey see, monkey do".

ONLY in okieland does this make the front page on a Sunday.....what a pathetic place you clod kickers embrace like it's heaven on earth (although for the average okie, this place probably DOES seem like heaven since most of you can't make it outside the confines of this state).....

paul, yukon - Oct 25, 2009 at 12:50 pm
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Hoarding is another thing Okies can be proud of....this dirt patch just gets crappier by the day, and Okies just get drunker and fatter.
Cletus, Mayberry - Oct 25, 2009 at 12:41 pm
The comment from the DHS employee is typical of the response often given when these cases are reported. Local code enforcement, police or fire departments often seek help from DHS and are met with nothing but a stone wall of bureaucracy. Oftentimes, Adult Protective Services will simply wait until city officials have secured an unsafe structure and then return the person right back to the front door. How could someone who wants to live in these conditions possibly be deemed able to care for himself/herself.
Tom, Del City - Oct 25, 2009 at 12:38 pm
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Not the most accurate description. Collectors also keep specific things even to the point of running out of space or having to build an extension on the house. I've got a collection of coffee cups (over a hundred now) :) Hoarders tend to keep everything no matter what. Old pizza boxes, plastic bags, etc. They "rationalize" keeping things that should be thrown away.
Doug, Midwest City - Oct 25, 2009 at 12:23 pm
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Paul from yukon once told me he horded old toenail clippings and used toilet paper.
Cletus Jenkins II, mayberry - Oct 25, 2009 at 11:45 am
Only in America. People have disposable income, a Target down the street, and have a desire to buy crap. I have seen the show on A&E that chronicles these people. They are compulsive shoppers, and half the time, they never take the stuff they buy out of the bag. No wonder people in other countries think we are slobs and spoiled.
Chad, oklahoma city - Oct 25, 2009 at 11:19 am
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Better to have this stuff and not need it,
than to need it and not have it.
toeknee, okc - Oct 25, 2009 at 11:17 am
Boomer is a Tory and Obama is King George III.
JEFF, THOMAS - Oct 25, 2009 at 8:46 am
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See I thought they were talking about the idiots that hoard (suck up) all the air with ignorant comments like Boomer---whew!
B, Nicoma Park - Oct 25, 2009 at 8:43 am
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whew...at first I was worried they're talking about "hoarders of ammunition" because of anti-Obama hype (Glen Beck and sons)
Boomer, Washington - Oct 25, 2009 at 8:31 am

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