By Greg Thomas Santa Monica
So...the city wants me to eat downtown more often? Here's how I see it (and I think many others might also).
I live within walking distance to the Promenade. I (along with friends) eat out about three to four times a week for dinner. We usually spend quite a bit, if you add it all up.
We NEVER eat at the Promenade. In fact, we never shop there anymore either. It is not even a consideration. If we need a bookstore, a bite to eat, or clothing, we take the car. To West L.A. Or the Valley. Or to Pasadena.
And we pay to park. And we sit in traffic. Especially on the weekends. And we do it all with a giant, giggling smile on our faces.
Why do we do this? I’ll let you in on a little secret. THE PROMENADE IS OVERRUN WITH MISERABLE, SMELLING, DRUNK, COMPLETELY WORTHLESS, HOMELESS “PEOPLE.”
I used to frequent the place when I first moved here a few years ago. Then, I grew tired of the miserable homeless SOBs spoiling my dinner by leaning over the railing at outdoor restaurants and scratching, spitting, mumbling, digging through trashcans, ranting, begging and yelling, all the while insisting on food/money in order for them to leave me and my dining party alone while we try to carry on a simple dinner conversation. What a nice way to enjoy a meal with friends, yes?
Attention Bayside District Corp. (Kathleen Rawson) and City Council: Want to do something about this? Want to turn both myself and others (those WITH money, remember us?) back on to downtown and all it has to offer? Want to encourage growth in this part of the city, especially in the current financial situation?
Then do something about the homeless problem in this city. It is way beyond time for you to stand up and take charge of the situation. Act like you collectively have a pair and stop worrying about lawsuits.
Or you could try a small Band-Aid and apparently non-enforcable (see: outdoor feeding program) ideas.
Or you could, of course, do nothing. Me and my friends (and others like us) can find plenty of other places to eat/shop elsewhere.
Do me a favor though. Just don't sit around scratching your head a few years from now along with a bunch of angry tenants, wondering “Where did all of our customers go? This was supposed to be such a good idea... what happened?”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 28, 2003. Read the original PDF.