By Rick Reutter Venice
The city of Santa Monica contributes support (in its way) to a body of individuals called Side by Side. This organization is intended to be something of a “coalition” between homeless residents and those who dwell indoors, with at least the partial goal of serving as a communicative bridge between these two fractious and often mutually hostile collection of citizens. I would encourage anyone interested in community dialogue to attend these meetings if for no other reason than to get a fuller sense of their neighbors.
My fellow citizens (indoors and out), we do dwell together, in some spaces and at least for now.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 9, 2004. Read the original PDF.