By Marilyn Brennan
Regarding the article “Panhandling could become history — City Hall commences education campaign to address chronic issue” (page 1, Feb. 28) I was astounded by Human Resources manager Julie Rusk’s statement to the City Council. She said, “Many panhandlers are not in fact homeless and often the income from panhandling go to drugs and alcohol.”
Gee, do ya think? Duh, duh and again duh. Of course the panhandlers are putting the money they panhandle for up their nose, down their throat, in their arms because Santa Monica provides for every other need. Since this paper’s inception, commentators, letter writers have been stating, that by far, the majority of transients roaming our streets, alleys, parks and breaking in to support their drug/alcohol habits were not the true “homeless” whose plight we should by all means address. Instead, Santa Monica spends millions of dollars being enablers …. And when Ms. Rusk made the astonishing observation, did the City Council gasp in wonderment? Or have they known all along that we in Santa Monica have become a haven for alcoholics and drug abusers? Do these people actually live here and don’t know the score? But I’m not getting too excited about City Hall’s enlightenment — after all, smoking in banned areas goes blithely on unabated; leaf blowers proliferate; sleeping in doorways goes on; public intoxication continues; “stop” on signs means “totally pause” etc. Laws are passed, but rarely enforced.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 4, 2008. Read the original PDF.