By Ms. Justin L.B Gagnon Santa Monica
The unsettling phenomenon of homelessness has long since worn out its welcome in my neighborhood. I don’t want to save cans for my favorite aluminum junkies any more, nor do I feel compelled any longer to run out with blankets, or a cup of coffee on a cold day to offer my surly homeless neighbors. Why? Well, I like to think my codependen-cy issues are under control, but more to the point — because I’m tired of being yelled at for not giving correct change, or for not giving enough change. One gal told me to give her two more bucks on top of the two I had already given her. I was walking my dog in front of Santa Monica Seafood, where three panhandlers grumbled something about me not carrying cash while walking my dog, and then gave me a sideways glance, followed by a audible sigh of disgust. I’m sorry. Did I miss something? Was there something in homelessness 101 that I didn’t understand? If you are going to beg money out of the pockets of generous, hard working people like myself, ought not a kind word, like a “thank you,” be in order? I don’t know, I think it’s better not to feed the bears.
Especially if they are going to wax rude, and hurumph around all over the place after being handed paper money.
Last time I checked, asking people for money in Santa Monica is illegal, not to mention annoying. We do have a panhandling ordinance in effect. Next time somebody asks me for money, I’ll be a lot quicker to respond with a phone call to police, than a reach into my pocket. Times change, and though I’ll still be working for solutions to get folks off the streets, I’ll be donating my dollars elsewhere.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 9, 2004. Read the original PDF.