> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Eric Cooper Santa Monica A few bad apples spoil the whole homeless bunch
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/eric-cooper-santa-monica-a-few-bad-apples-spoil-the-whole-homeless-bunch/
- Published: 2004-01-26T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T03:40:15.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Downtown, #archive-import, Homeless, Homelessness

*By Charles Springer*

I recently pointed out that some homeless people give those who live on the streets a bad name because they engage in anti-social behavior.

I wanted to show that homeless people do care about the community in which we live. I say this because it is only fair to show that we, as human beings, care about the people we interact with on a daily basis and we want to help in solving the homeless problem once and for all in a humane and positive manner. Not like it is being solved in downtown Los Angeles by throwing out the baby with the bath water, so to speak.

I can not understand the thinking in the recent bulldozing of the homeless encampment by the Staples Center. We all know criminal activity happens on the streets and are not in any position to stop it for fear of retribution. This was the reason given by the LAPD for this act of total disregard for the ones who were doing nothing but living and existing in that encampment with no ties to any of the activity that caused the bulldozing and loss of people’s personal belongings. What has happened there is a blatant act of criminalization of the homeless population for the acts of a few who have no regard and respect for those around them, including themselves.

This is why I write, sometimes so vehemently, to those who would look down upon the whole homeless population as a whole for the disruptive acts of a few individuals, instead of realizing that we are as human as you are and should be given respect for being survivors of a total emotional, mental, spiritual and sometimes physical upheaval in our lives.

To those who write so caustically and with a large amount of ignorance to the real causes of homelessness, you would do well to look beyond the stereotypes with which you have labeled us and realize we are a community. And, like your own communities, there are people who are not only lacking in self-esteem and self-worth but who prey upon the community as a whole. They are predators and look for the “easier way” of doing things, instead of making an effort to better their lives and move forward. These types of individuals will disrupt any community they live in and do not have any sense of conscience for their own actions.

These are the ones who you think represent the entire homeless community. If they were in your communities you would try to get rid of them and succeed because you can close a door and be safer than a homeless person. They are the ones who have caused the whole homeless population to be criminalized in LA and across the United States. But, like your own communities, they do not represent the whole community.

What would you say if I judged the whole affluent population as being greedy and snobbish because of a few who act that way? What would you in the Pico neighborhood say if I would say you are all gang members and drug dealers? Would these statements be true for the whole community, or for the few who cause trouble within these two communities? I happen to know people from both communities and from what I have seen this is not the norm. Most people I have met since I became homeless here have been very helpful, friendly and compassionate to the plight of those who live on the streets.

If one of you were in trouble and needed help, I would try to assist no matter what the situation and that is what the majority of the homeless population is like. Some of us might be brash and uncultured but the intention of our hearts is what judges us — not the actions of a few. (Charles Springer lives on the streets of Santa Monica and is an artist).

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 26, 2004.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/012604.pdf?ref=smdp.com)