By Valerie Jean Hiss Santa Monica
I commend Stephen Baker for speaking out in “Homeless are sucking the life from Santa Monica” (SMDP, July 6, page 4). Thank you for publishing his eloquent and frank description of the problems we face as residents of Santa Monica.
I was raised in Santa Monica. I love it here. My family and I enjoyed the beaches and the parks when we were growing up. We would have picnics, throw the ball, enjoy what we deserved as children in a nice neighborhood.
We were never accosted or threatened by people begging for money, food and even worse, be scared we were in danger of being hurt.
I used to enjoy the simple pleasures of walking my dog along Palisades Park. Unfortunately, this is not possible. The park is full of vagrants in sleeping bags and the disgusting piles of vomit and smell of urine have deterred our daily visits along Ocean Avenue.
It is very unpleasant to take strolls along the beach and so sad that we cannot enjoy the sunsets without being harassed or approached by a stranger.
The incredible attempts to beautify Santa Monica have created great looking benches that are being used by the homeless. Where do we sit when we want to take pleasure in a cup of coffee along our Promenade?
As a homeowner and taxpayer, I feel very fortunate to live in such a beautiful community, but what good is it if the current homeless situation keeps us on edge and prohibits us from relaxing and enjoying our city?
I agree with Mr. Baker, it appears the homeless are being excused for their atrocious behaviors and have preferential treatment because they are homeless. As a dispatcher from the police department stated, quote unquote “because the homeless, for the most part, are a little crazy.”
Is that a rational explanation? “Help me,” too. We want our city back.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 19, 2006. Read the original PDF.