By Ted Mackey Santa Monica Homelessness is not a choice Editor:
Mr. Bauer stated the (homeless) problem very concisely (SMDP, Aug. 8, page 4). Thus I wish to add only a couple of points: Since there are likely upwards of 1 million “homeless” in North America, since Santa Monica has one of the best climates anywhere, since there is an official tolerance (or even welcome) coupled with the previously (Bill Bauer’s article) mentioned increasing services, it would seem logical that the lure of all of this will increase new arrivals by the bus load. The residents and business owners of Santa Monica can begin to foresee a new “Hell’s Kitchen.”
I am curious as to why some benevolent groups have not already begun advertising and assisting with mass transportation for those who are enduring the more hostile climates and environment of the rest of the continent.
I would suggest that some forethought be given to this realistic probability before you plunge further into this malaise.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 12, 2005. Read the original PDF.