By Barbara Tenzer
This letter is in response to a letter that was written to the editor in Friday’s paper by Randy Walburger. Mr. Walburger is missing the point. Let’s start with the fact that the people Ms. Sackariason referred to are vagrants and or panhandlers who may or may not be homeless. And these are the same people who were on the streets when the economy was booming. So it is not about them getting a job. This is about people abusing the system. This is about people disrespecting the rights of others by urinating and defecating in public places (and private property) and making it uncomfortable for others to even be in the same area.
You might consider not being ashamed by what was reported but by what is allowed. So, if you are a vagrant in Santa Monica who wants to hang out in the downtown area all day — not accept employment — litter, as you spend all day panhandling, that’s OK? But if you are a hard working business person and your customers tell you that they are accosted as they try to walk into your store by the people that are hanging out that is no good, right?
Maybe if less people in this town acted as enablers and it was clear that certain behaviors were unacceptable, maybe just maybe, some of these people on the street could actually improve their lives. Defending antisocial behavior helps no one in our society. And by the way, Ms. Sackariason is the boss.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 20, 2002. Read the original PDF.