By Ed Sharrow Santa Monica
It’s unfortunate that the psychiatric disease of Andre Watson ultimately led to his untimely death at the hands of a frightened and upset Mr. Bell (SMDP, July 21, page 1). The guilt for Andre Watson’s death should be shared by Mr. Watson’s relatives and our City Council, as well as Mr. Bell.
The three relatives of Mr. Watson who could not find the time to fly out from Chicago and retrieve Mr. Watson after he attacked two girls on the beach with a box cutter are certainly guilty of abandoning their relative. Now, they show up to condemn Mr. Bell for acting in self-defense when he felt threatened by “a diagnosed schizophrenic with a history of violence.” If Ms. Brenetta Glass truly felt her nephew was “like a brother” then where was she when he needed her most?
Our City Council continues to ignore that the homeless persons on our streets not only pose health and sanitation risks but also violence. Now the City Council wants to spend more than ever before on social service organizations for the homeless without requiring specific measurable performance for our tax dollars.
As a working, voting citizen I am tired of state and federal laws which prevent me from petitioning for the commitment of dangerous and mentally-ill homeless on our streets. I am tired of relatives from other cities who have failed to care for their own family members and expect citizens of Santa Monica to happily assist their problem children. I am upset with a City Council that fails to demand enforcement of laws that will actually help both citizens and the homeless, like the public feeding ordinance which continues to be delayed despite its passage during the last election season.
Culver City, Beverly Hills and Manhattan Beach may be considered heartless and cruel to the homeless but at least an average working person can walk the streets without fear of stepping in human waste and without being threatened by a mentally ill person living on the streets.
Mr. Watson’s death could have been prevented at many points in the system. It is unfortunate that neither his family or our government acted wisely on his behalf. I hope that both his family and our elected officials realize they share a place in Mr. Bell’s prison cell.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 23, 2003. Read the original PDF.