By John Miehle Coral Gables, Fla.
Mr. Blanchard’s letter of hurt at being lumped into a description of “bum” (SMDP, May 23, 2006, page 4) is amusing. For the record, although I no longer live there, I am an eighth-generation California native. My Spanish ancestors, the Sepulveda family, owned several large ranches, one was a place called Rancho San Vicente. It comprised all of Santa Monica and more.
Further, I am a Vietnam Era U.S. Navy Veteran and retired Santa Monica Police Captain. I served the citizens of Santa Monica for almost 30 years. Naturally, Mr. Blanchard would lump me into the group he calls “Storm Troopers.”
Obviously, I have talked to a few homeless people in my career. I also served on the Chamber of Commerce Homeless Task Force in the ’80s. In one letter, Mr. Blanchard uses just about every rationalization I have ever heard for his plight. So, I have a few questions for Mr. Blanchard.
If you’re 42 now and worked construction for 25 years on the Gulf Coast, you must be a recent arrival in Santa Monica. Why would you leave the Gulf Coast when all of those states are in need of construction help? The “help wanted” signs outnumber the “for sale” signs.
Another excuse you use is an imperfect work record. Anyone who knows the construction industry knows that most workers go from job to job. Illegal immigrants, not that big an issue in the Gulf States. Even if you are unskilled labor, which I suspect, you could have a job in the Gulf states or there in Santa Monica. Just go up to 11th Street early in the morning and you will get a job. A tax free job at that.You will have to stand with some who might be illegal but they won’t be making excuses, just trying to get a day’s work.
I have heard for years about nameless friends from Brentwood, Beverly Hills and other upscale places who are on the street. I’ve just never met any.
I have also heard the “I’m a veteran” story.” When I was on the street it was, “I’m a Vietnam Veteran.” Simple math divulged that most of these alleged vets would have been 14 or so when they were in the service and others had no knowledge of the military. Some are actually Vietnam vets but they tend to be the ones who don’t tell you or talk about it.
If you worked in construction in the Gulf states for 25 years and are 42, you would have been discharged from the Army when you were 17, Mr. Blanchard.
Mr. Blanchard finishes by stating “bring your checkbook.” No offer to work for anything, just bring your checkbook.
Here is why the “Storm Troopers” bother you and yours Mr. Blanchard. Over the years, the citizens and business owners in Santa Monica, whom the “Storm Troopers” serve, have gotten tired of sometimes being greeted by an occasional homeless person sleeping in their doorway or laundry room. They have gotten less tolerant of being confronted for money, being leered at or having to go around an encampment in the public parks that their tax dollars support. They get aggravated that, when waiting for a bus, they have to stand while a homeless person sleeps on the bench. They tire of trying to use a public restroom and finding persons who camp in a stall, bathe in the sinks and fail to flush a toilet. Those same citizens get tired of being solicited for their hard-earned money when trying to enjoy a day or night out in the city.
Business owners have tired of arriving at work to find trash, defecation and urine at their front doors. They tire of their customers being solicited for money and the adverse effect is has on their sales.
The state and cities with all their social programs can’t keep up with the problem, even after millions of tax dollars invested. Free housing can’t keep up with the problem. The free food programs can’t keep up with the problem. I would say that, per capita, the city you criticize is a leader in programs and money spent.
So, with the failure of all the so-called solutions I have seen over the years, it always comes back to whom the public can look to for, at the very least, a temporary solution. It’s the “Storm Troopers” Mr. Blanchard. Trust me, SMPD officers do not go to work looking forward to the first of many homeless calls of their shift. They would rather put bad guys in jail or keep traffic from killing people. A study in the ’80s showed that 33 percent of officer time was used on homeless calls. I suspect it is the same today. The least effective way to handle the other than criminal, homelessness problem is with law enforcement. It is, at best, a temporary solution and not an effective way to use law enforcement assets.
After all these years do I have the solution to homelessness? Not even close. There are way too many socio-economic factors and human issues to even attempt to find the cause. However, I do believe that the solution is not giving people free everything without requiring some work in return. It takes away a person’s self-respect.
Is this a condemnation of the homeless and do they all conform to my statements? No. But it is about the most visible and the ones who come to the attention of the police.
I do have a solution for Mr. Blanchard. If you had work for 25 years, go back. I hate to say this as a Gulf state resident now but, Mr. Blanchard, come back and bring your Brentwood friend with you. There is plenty of work for a person with your vast hurricane construction experience.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 12, 2006. Read the original PDF.