By David Hunzicker Santa Monica
As I watched Mayor Michael Feinstein’s tearful emotional plea to really place this issue (homelessness) in our consciousness, I don't think he realizes how differently that may mean to some people.
I was familiar with his opinion that the homeless feedings are not related to the problems they cause but that seems to come into direct conflict with what the Chief of Police has to say (70% are petty criminals) or other police officers who deal with them every day. A significant amount of time and money of their resources is spent dealing with this problem.
I don't know why some liberals on the council have trouble seeing and dealing with the facts that are in right in front of them.
Our nanny came back the other day from walking our six month old daughter and asked me "why do they allow so many homeless in this nice area?” She also said one person walked up to the stroller and then yelled "get out of my way, bitch!" She can't even take the baby for a walk in the Palisades Park because she has noticed many doing drugs right out in the open and their smell and appearance is repulsive.
We also can't use a small park in back of our home because it is dominated by homeless. They even occasionally wander into our yard and we recently had a bike stolen.
The current situation is unacceptable. They do not have a right to our parks any more than we do and the obvious fact is that they drive away people who take care of themselves and who also live in the area. The business community is correct in addressing the problem and taking it to the city council who does nothing.
This community is supported by its tourism and its business tax base and these "facts" cannot be ignored. I hope the city council will spend its time more wisely in addressing the concerns of all people in the community and to consider better ways to actively deal with the homeless issue than to attract them here and then pretend we aren't affected by their presence.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 22, 2002. Read the original PDF.