By Julia Nissley Santa Monica
I have been reading about Step Up on Second’s plan to acquire the property at 1826 Pearl St. to house and treat young men with mental disorders. I grew up in Sunset Park and know it as a solid family-oriented community. While their goal is commendable, why have they chosen a location directly in the middle of a residential neighborhood surrounded by schools?
John Adams Middle School on Pearl Street has over 1,200 students, ages 11 to 14, and is only two blocks away. Grant Elementary School, also on Pearl Street, with over 650 children, ages 5 to 11 enrolled, is only four blocks away. Will Rogers Elementary School also has over 600 children, ages 5 to 11, and is only five blocks away. These children are constantly moving around the neighborhood, walking to school, playing with friends after school and their proposed project is a risk to their safety, regardless of what they say.
Two questions need to be answered: (1) Why do they insist on using the Pearl Street location for their project when there are other locations available that would serve their purpose? (2) Why are eight or 10 mentally-ill patients more important than 2,500 innocent school children? These children are the most precious possessions of the Sunset Park community, and they owe them an explanation.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 29, 2006. Read the original PDF.