By Dane Swanson
I am happy to hear that our city council seems to be listening to the people who live, work, and pay taxes in this fine city. Especially concerning the feeding of the multitude of homeless people without responsibility here in Santa Monica in our open areas. I wish they would take it to the next step. I was discussing this with my wife and she agrees with me that we should license the providers of this service... have them pay a basic fee of $1,000 for their license. This will cover the rental fee for the land they are using for the feedings, underwrite the cost of the clean up crews that will need to be there to pick up after the feedings, and help subsidize the police that will be needed for control.
I personally feel that there should also be the interfacing of the health department in these feedings. I was shocked to read that there is no control at the present moment by the health department. Guess who is going to be blamed if there is food poisoning or any lesser food carried reaction to the feedings?
So I conclude by saying... listen up.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 12, 2002. Read the original PDF.