By John Kreiss Santa Monica
For all of the platitudes Santa Monica politicians have enjoyed giving each other regarding the policies they have chosen to follow for the past 20 years, there is but one truth: They haven’t resulted in fewer transients on our streets. The transient population has actually increased. A policy change is necessary. Whether a harsh or a compassionate plan — or a bit of each — that is adopted, the focus must now be on addressing the needs of all citizens — the housed as well as the homeless.
Any new policy should affect — and its success be measured by — an immediate reduction in the number of disheveled and hopeless and sometimes dangerous people currently wandering through our streets and alleys. There are limitations on one city’s ability to help all the needy in this county or this state. An appropriate estimate of Santa Monica’s capacity to help should be determined with respect to a reasonable number of people who can be effectively aided along with the city’s financial ability to generously provide it. We should then not be so hospitable that we attempt to provide beyond that level, and should actively discourage derelicts and idlers from taking up residence on our streets, recognizing the limitations of our ability to help everybody. The mentally ill should be encouraged to obtain treatment under new legislation that provides for it.
Surrounding communities similar to ours do not seem to have the same problems concerning people living on their streets. We have an idea of what they may be doing wrong, but what are they doing right? How do we prevent a Skid Row from establishing itself here?
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 4, 2006. Read the original PDF.