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# Minneapolis, MN. Aloha, Mr. Murphy
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/survey-says-santa-monica-and-its-leaders-are-lacking/
- Published: 2003-10-03T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T03:01:34.000Z
- Author: Bill Bauer
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import, Homeless

*By Marilyn Brennan Santa Monica*

I got such a kick out of your story, “Homeless man gets $275,000 settlement” (SMDP, Oct. 1, page 1). Richard Murphy, the former homeless man, received the $275,000 for the injuries he sustained while sleeping in the sand.

Originally from the Midwest, Mr. Murphy came to Santa Monica, the west coast mecca for the homeless, got injured by a city worker, sued the city and now plans on spending his money on a future in Hawaii. His attorney is quoted in the article as saying, “he’s an intelligent guy. He has a plan. He wants to go to Hawaii.” After all, what “intelligent guy” would want to stay in Santa Monica and be pestered by the growing vagrant population making demands on his newly acquired money?

I would be interested in knowing the statistics of how many of the homeless Santa Monica serves and plans on serving actually had an address in Santa Monica prior to their homeless condition. Perhaps this could be a question on the intake sheet when they are served by the new facility planned.

So good luck and aloha to Mr. Murphy and congratulations to the city of Santa Monica, who only had to spend $275,000 to rehabilitate one homeless guy. It’s something to think about — in the long run, this just might be the most cost effective way to go.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 3, 2003.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/100303.pdf?ref=smdp.com)