By J. Roger Collins Palm Desert
I just completed a four-day stay in Denver last week, where I attended Storm Con ‘06 — an annual convention for the stormwater treatment industry. While there I cruised the 16th Street Mall and noted some definite contrasts between the Third Street Promenade and this mall.
The first thing I noted was prominent signage stating “panhandling is a lose/lose for everyone” (giveabetterway.org). During the day there were a very few people that could be identified as “homeless.” They never seemed to be dominant gatherings of more than a couple of possibly homeless individuals on the public seating areas. I did not see anyone panhandling or accosting anyone. There were lots of sidewalk cafés and upscale shops, and everyone was constantly moving up and down the mall on buses that ran up and down the mall about every five to 10 minutes. In the evening, the 16th Street Mall took on a different character with the arrival of skateboard kids and some hip-hop kids. They were only a nuisance because they were loud and running in packs, otherwise no problem.
Last week, I noticed an article from Las Vegas that anyone feeding the homeless in public parks will be cited and subject to a $1,000 fine. While I do not want to see anyone go hungry, I think this idea may have merit. Ten years ago I lived in the San Luis Obispo area which had a continuous transient and homeless population. Some very well-meaning church auxiliaries started a program to feed the homeless on the porch of the San Luis Mission at noon on weekdays. The homeless and transients would move into the downtown area at about 11 a.m. or before and panhandle the tourists and lay out in the park along San Luis Creek.
It was not long until the merchants and locals started to complain about the vagrancy downtown. The Mission suddenly had to “replace the front porch” of the mission and suggested the feeding location be moved. The location was moved to South Higuera Street about a mile from downtown. I noted a lot of the persons associated with these lunch feedings dropped out of the program at that time. A thought occurred to me that some people will feed the dog, but will never take it home and own it.
I don’t want these unfortunate homeless people to be cold, hungry or unprepared for the elements. They all have individual needs that to be addressed, However, they need to recognize that there are some people that are not going to put up with anti-social, rude behavior.
If you want to see what is really happening to Santa Monica you need to drive downtown Los Angeles to Seventh and Los Angeles streets, or visit the first precinct of the LAPD. It will open your eyes.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 8, 2006. Read the original PDF.