By Sterling Walters Santa Monica
I read with considerable interest the dialogue between Milton Billingsley and Randy Walburger concerning the homeless population in Santa Monica. Mr. Walburger’s suggestion of making available an individual sleeping module has great merit. Such a module would provide homeless people both a safe place to sleep and shelter from the elements. The proposal to link homeless people with supportive medical, psychological and social services also has great merit. In fact, I see such a linkage as absolutely necessary in order to improve the quality of life of many whose current quality of life I can only describe as squalid, degrading and foul. Mr. Walburger’s modules could probably be manufactured at relatively low cost. However, let me emphasize that linkage to supportive services, especially psychological or psychiatric services, is vital to interrupting the ongoing cycles of squalor and debasement that seems to characterize the living conditions of a great many homeless people. This would be a very effective expression of the love that Mr. Billingsley writes of.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 8, 2005. Read the original PDF.