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Mother grieves son killed in French Quarter, efforts to protect unhoused people underway

The Jefferson Parish Homelessness Task Force will hold its next meeting on May 9.

NEW ORLEANS — Christi Burke got the call on Tuesday.

“I was trying to protect them, but obviously I didn’t do a good job,” Burke said.

Her son, Charles Fink, was sleeping on a street corner in the French Quarter when he was stabbed and killed.

“I was hysterical,” Burke said.

For years after losing her job, Burke and her son faced life on the streets together. Her son’s death is highlighting the need to better protect the city’s most vulnerable.

“The hardest part is staying safe,” Burke said.

Christi Burke said that she never felt safe going to the New Orleans Low Barrier Shelter, but the shelter will be under new management soon and city officials are hopeful for a change.

Thursday, the City announced Odyssey House will operate the troubled shelter after two people were stabbed and one person was shot there just last week.

Council Member Lesli Harris said, “The facility is deteriorating and needs adequate resources.”

Jefferson Parish is taking action too. A homelessness task force met just 24 hours after three people were shot and killed at a homeless encampment earlier this week. Task force member Kirt Talamo says the Parish has already secured funding and is assessing the needs in the parish.

As Burke grieves the loss of her son, she shares her story as a testament to the change needed.

The Jefferson Parish Homelessness Task Force will hold its next meeting on May 9.

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