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# Residents can’t wait for homeless solutions
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/residents-cant-wait-for-homeless-solutions/
- Published: 2006-02-23T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T23:21:06.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import, Homeless

*By EYE ON THE CITY BY ELIZABETH RIEL*

The woman started out speaking calmly, almost matter-of-factly.

Within seconds, however, the City Council was receiving a thorough tongue-lashing from one of Santa Monica’s residents about how homeless people were trespassing and defecating on her property over and over again.

The resident was understandably at her wit’s end — disgusted and angry about being harassed on a regular basis and having to clean up human excrement in her garage, yard and car.

What struck me most, though, were her feelings of frustration and helplessness. She said she’s called the police 14 times since November. “I’ve had it. I can’t take it any more. I ask for your assistance,” she begged the City Council at its Feb. 14 meeting.

A fair request. We know that City Hall and members of the City Council are working to come up with long-term, comprehensive solutions. We have a new homeless czar. Councilmember Bobby Shriver is trying to secure housing and services for homeless vets at the Veterans Administration in West LA. We’re engaged in discussions with other cities in LA County about a regional approach. Without a doubt, we need all the long-term solutions we can get.

But what about now? What is City Hall doing about acute homeless problems like trespassing and harassment? Or trash and public urination? Things that impact residents, visitors and businesses on a day-today basis?

One resource for residents is HLP — the Santa Monica Police Department’s Homeless Liaison Program. It’s six officers on the beat who work varying hours throughout the week. Their job is to help the homeless link up with various social service agencies, and address chronic problems faced by residents and business owners.

For example, if someone is continually sleeping on your property, that’s a job for HLP. You leave a message with your name and problem, and according to SMPD Lt. Frank Fabrega, someone from HLP will call you back and stay on the case until it’s resolved.

From all reports, it’s an innovative, effective program. And I heard from residents who mostly had very positive things to say about the responsiveness of the officers.

But can a handful of HLP officers solve all recurring homeless problems? No matter how good they are, their plate’s pretty full. Linking up the homeless with social services, participating in City Hall’s chronic homeless program, and responding to residents takes a lot of people power. Doesn’t leave much time for preventing and deterring problems before they become chronic.

And is HLP enough? What happens when you see someone urinating in the park or experience a homeless person acting aggressively? You’re supposed to call the police. But unless the officer has witnessed the action or you’re willing to make a citizen’s arrest, there’s not much they can do. One resident said she called the police when she witnessed someone urinating on a signpost in her neighborhood. She was told they couldn’t do anything about it.

The SMPD says it’s concerned about problems with the homeless and does its best to respond to complaints. Given their limited resources, however, crimes like robbery and assault will, of course, always receive the highest priority.

That makes sense. But residents, business owners and visitors are entitled to more proactive measures. Surely, there are things City Hall can do like adding more HLP officers to patrol our neighborhoods. Or more rangers to enforce rules in our local parks.

We know that solving the homeless problem is complex. We know that it will take much more than a Band-Aid solution. But right now, waiting for a regional solution that may or may not happen isn’t going to get that resident’s property cleaned up. She suggested the City Council come to her house and clean up the mess.

Clearly, residents need more help. The number for HLP is 458-8953\. When leaving a message, provide your contact information and ask for officer contact. To find out about additional programs and assistance provided by the SMPD, go to www.santamonicapd.org. (Elizabeth Riel is a Santa Monica resident. She)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 23, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/022306.pdf?ref=smdp.com)