Casting the First Stone and Drawing the Homeless

October 24, 2000

Dear Editor:

I am responding to your October 24th article "Opponents of Prop KK turn to Biblical Prophets", which reported that several member of the clergy marched through the Promenade charging that the wages paid by local hotels are a sin against God.

I would be curious to find out whether the janitors who work at those clergy members' houses of God are paid $12/hour. Personally, I am a lot more concerned with a house of God crushing people and grinding the faces of the poor. Perhaps those members of the clergy have forgotten the passage "let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

Jeff Segal
Santa Monica

October 24, 2000

Dear Editor,

The homeless services industry is now working overtime trying to put a spin on a problem which they have helped to create and maintain. That is: the 1000 homeless people on Santa Monica streets on a daily basis. No matter how much service we provide and how much money we spend, the problem is still with us, bigger and badder than ever, with no relief in sight.

Santa Monica is a magnet for those looking for a hand and a handout. We have a worldwide reputation for being the place to go to get quick services and a good meal. It's easy to check out. Ask the homeless themselves and they'll tell you that "the food is good," "I can get housing assistance, easy," "Nobody asks any questions," and "general relief payments here (in Los
Angeles County) are better than they are back home."

Don't take my word for it. Ask the Police. Ask the social workers. Everyone who's honest will admit that the vast array of services, the ease of accessing help and free feeding programs available here brings them in like bees to honey.

Need more proof? Check out any similar sized city in the state. Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, El Segundo, Fullerton, Glendale.... None of them has near the homeless population that Santa Monica has because they don't offer the services.

Part of the problem is that transients can come here and be processed into the system, immediately. Within hours of arrival they can be benefiting from a number of services -- from beds, baths, lockers, mailing addresses and meals to applications for low-cost housing programs and other forms of assistance.

There is no waiting period, no qualification process, no requirement of being in town for any period of time. Just come and take. In many cases, new arrivals are placed in the line ahead of longer term residents who also need help. You don't think the word of how well Santa Monica treats its homeless hasn't gotten around? You bet it has.

Wake up people. You all need to face reality. It's not getting any better. And, it will not get any better under the present system.