No Surprise and Failures All

Dear Editor,

I'm not surprised to read Santa Monica government officials state that a recent appellate court ruling out of San Diego which upholds the jailing of drunk homeless will have no impact on Santa Monica's homeless policies (“Homeless Ruling Won’t Impact Santa Monica,” July 6, 2004).

I'm not surprised to read Santa Monica government officials state that Santa Monica police will always check to see if the drunken homeless found on our streets and in our parks need and then receive medical treatment and hospital care.

I'm not surprised to read Santa Monica government officials state that Santa Monica police will then take those same drunk homeless to the new police station where they can sober up for few hours before being let back on to the street to drink more and make more of a nuisance on our streets and in our parks.

I'm not surprised to read that Santa Monica government officials, including Mayor Richard Bloom and Councilman Ken Genser, prefer referring drunk homeless to the many shelters the city council votes to support financially rather than arresting the homeless.
After all, simply arresting drunk homeless doesn't lead to the result that society wants, which, according the Bloom and Genser, apparently is keeping drunk homeless on our streets and in our parks and out of jail.

I'm not surprised that Santa Monica government officials don't treat this kind of criminal behavior by the homeless seriously. After all, Santa Monica government officials have unlimited time and resources when it comes to criminalizing small business owners because of business signs, or criminalizing homeowners who have criminally large hedges in their yards.

But what does surprise me is that these same politicians who enable and thus encourage the homeless to ruin our city are still in office. I can only hope that with the upcoming election we can replace these dreadful politicians with leaders who actually care about the residents and visitors of Santa Monica -- not the homeless and the failed social agenda and policies that have allowed the homeless to take over our streets and parks.

Sincerely,

Marie McDonough
Santa Monica

July 8, 2004

Dear Editor,

I could not believe the letter in support of Richard Bloom. (“Election Concerns,” July 8, 2004)

“Your record is great..." has got to be the biggest kiss a-- remark of the year. Bloom is the person taking credit for all the speed bumps in Sunset Park, center islands and curb extensions across the city, and has supported a policy of welcoming the homeless to Santa Monica.

I hope everyone on the council is replaced, and that includes Herb Katz. They have all failed us.