By Kenneth A. McCrae President, S.H.E.L.T.E.R.
I realize Greg Thomas’ plan (SMDP, June 18) is to bankrupt the City of Santa Monica by scapegoating the city’s homeless. Very clever of him to suggest a mass arrest of all 1,400-plus homeless. That way, the costs of the new jail to hold them, the guards to watch them and the costs of feeding and maintaining them will quickly empty the city’s coffers.
Or, perhaps he’s planning on making a killing by selling his property to the city as a site for the new jail.
In any case, I’m glad he didn’t suggest firing squads or gas chambers. Inflammatory anti-homeless remarks without consideration of the real-world consequences do no one any good and actually promote vigilantism. There have been several recent incidents of homeless being assaulted both verbally and physically. Some citizens now consider it open season.
For Mr. Thomas’ information, the homeless citizens of Santa Monica probably pay a greater percentage of taxes to the city than most Santa Monicans. After all, they can’t afford to take a limo to Beverly Hills to do their shopping. They spend nearly all of their money here in town and pay city sales taxes!
If Mr. Thomas really wants the homeless off the streets, we welcome him (and any concerned others) to join with Supporting Homeless Existence Leading To Enabled Recovery (S.H.E.L.T.E.R.) in its efforts to provide alternatives to the streets, both day and night, for them.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 20, 2003. Read the original PDF.