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# City should not turn a blind eye to vagrancy problem
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/city-should-not-turn-a-blind-eye-to-vagrancy-problem-editor/
- Published: 2005-03-07T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T06:12:03.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import, Homeless, Homelessness

*By Mark Shepherd Santa Monica*

I have deep respect for City Councilman Kevin McKeown and his record of service for our community. Hell, he sits through Planning and Zoning Commission meetings.

But I have to take issue with his stance on the homeless-camping-in-cars problem (SMDP, March 3, page 1). Once again, he falls back on the position of “once we provide enough housing,” he’ll consider a law that most every surrounding city considers vital and, more importantly, common sense.

McKeown voiced his same basic response when a few months ago some transients lit a campfire on the Santa Monica bluff, though clearly posted are signs prohibiting fires and overnight sleeping. When we provide enough housing...

When will that day ever come? The city could use imminent domain, seize the Water Garden office complex and create a hostel with free buffet and live music, and the homeless would still scrounge through trash in our alleys, sleep in our doorways, stagger drunk in the streets and mumble strange things to themselves as we pass them on our sidewalks.

The problem with the city’s overall approach to homelessness is that McKeown and other city leaders don’t seem to consider these people as people. They seem to forget that those who drive, ride or walk to Santa Monica, because of its weather or free food or city meetings on cable TV — whatever — those people choose to come here.

They have free will. They know right from wrong, and they should be held responsible for their actions. The city’s attitude seems to be, overall, that homeless people are victims. That homelessness is a social problem in the main, and that the city must in its paternal largess give all the help possible, including turning a blind eye to lawbreaking. I would argue that that tired approach isn’t working, hasn’t worked, and won’t work, all the while demeaning the homeless themselves. Because they’re not treated as responsible people.

Case by case, certainly people need help. Medical attention. Psychiatric care. Job counseling. Detox. But that’s not the point. The city must help all that it can, within budget and reason. But the city should also insist that those who choose to come here, choose to live a certain lifestyle, must also obey the law. Otherwise, well-meaning public servants like McKeown will only perpetuate the problem, under the guise of trying or wanting to help. And Santa Monica’s treasured quality of life continues to erode for everyone else.

This law should be enacted and enforced.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 7, 2005.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/030705.pdf?ref=smdp.com)