Hijacked Part One: Taking issue with the ACLU and LAPD...
I’m not a right-wing neo-conservative, and this is not a neo-con perspective… but let’s be straight about this… no community should endorse or embrace lawlessness, no matter who's doing the law breaking... And I would bet, the same people who fight efforts to clean up Skid Row wouldn't be so outspoken if LAPD were trying to rid crime from "their" neighborhoods.
Furthermore, it’s not just the ACLU's or the LAPD’s fault. It is the fault of our entire community if we use law enforcement engagement as the only "real" means to deal with chronic homelessness on skid row.
The broader issue with the ACLU’s and LAPD’s opinions of downtown’s skid row is HOW to address homelessness. The ultimate goal is to end homeless so that no one has to live on the streets. We should not endorse or allow people to live, sleep, eat and bathe on the streets. We need a new FORWARD, not backward, direction that emphasizes shelter and permanent housing for all residents of Los Angeles.
It’s unfortunate that law enforcement is getting a bad rap for ensuring public safety and that lawyers are involved in battling the rights of the disadvantaged in courts. Maybe the solution is simple…ban lawyers from getting involved in homelessness….don’t use law enforcement as a means to solve homelessness… and build more shelter and housing so that no one has to be on the streets of LA.
posted by LA's Homeless Blog at
10:48 AM
20 Comments:
Why has homelessness in LA become a LEGAL issue and a POLITICAL issue, rather than a MORAL or HUMANITARIAN issue?!!! This is total misdirection - a distraction from the real problem and real questions, which are so much harder to address. Living wage? No no - look over here at this cop arresting a homeless person! Health care? No no - look over here at the city council making laws against homeless people! When are we going to recognize that homelessness is a SYMPTOM of a larger problem - It's POVERTY, stupid.
Poverty is a huge issue, I agree. But who's to "blame" for "Crack Head Henry" who's homeless and lives on the streets because he chooses to and/or because he not "ready" to get help for his problem. Shouldn't he own SOME part of his problem?
I know the police are right in cleaning up downtown. The conditions down there are horrific and deplorable. Who in their right mind would subject themselves to such anarchy? I feel bad for the homeless. However, there is some personal accountability on behalf of the homeless on the streets of downtown to clean up their act, engage in services, and fill those empty beds as Captain Smith mentions in his editorial.
Who is talking about the empty beds that are not being utilized for people? It is too ironic that you are saying to build more beds and permanent housing when empty beds exist.
all you guys seem to be doing , like Joel was , is find some rich person to accuse of being insensitive and then wait for them to come to your non-profit with money bags open so you can change your toon. LA's homeless blog is just a shakedown site to get money from those whom you turn your ire on about homelessness. These people make a donation and then you miraculously change your story about them . Joel isn't going to lay off beck because he is a good mark.
I bet not any one of you who are blogging were ever homeless at one time and claim to be experts on the issue.
I work downtown. LAPD is doing what it should have done years ago without being challenged about keeping the streets safe. I am peeved about your comments.
"don’t use law enforcement as a means to solve homelessness…"
I believe that is entirely what the ACLU asserted, with which the ninth circuit agreed.
Are you aware that the ACLU was challenging laws that prohibitted people from feeding homeless people in Las Vegas Parks?
Are you aware that the ACLU was challenging an LA law that resulted in homeless people being arrested and denied their posessions when released?
The ACLU was fighting for people's right to take personal innitiative in providing for the homeless (by feeding them in a park) and they were also challenging laws that criminilized homelessness.
I think about my friend's volunteer efforts with Nightwatch, an outreach ministry in Greensboro, NC--it would be severely hampered by laws like those the ACLUL fights against.
Try asking your clients what they think about the issue. Without doubt they will say to get the LAPD out of Skid Row and Safer Citities is a failed initiative.
If you use a picture hosted on my site, you should provide a link to the source.
have any of you ever been homeless or are you just talking about something you know knowing about. One homeless are people not animals not trash just people. Some made mistakes some didn't we were homeless a family of five mother father children for almost three years. Why you say? did drugs not one of us!. Why? drank no not one of us! notthing my husband got hurt at work and went on workmens comp. I just had my thrid child but tried to work anyway with taking care of my husband and minimum wage we became homeless anyway not because we wanted or lazy just happen. We both come from very poor families and could not get help from them. We broke the circle of poverty through hard work and college education and yet we became homeless. But even after almost three years of homeless we just got out of it. It can be done and if this country would get a clue and maybe ask someone who has been there and gotten out of it just maybe us homeless peolpe or once homeless people can help this problem not be the problem.
Great! )
Interesting! :-)
Interesting!
Interesting article, thanks!
Great to see this! Thanks!
Thanks for interesting article.
very good!
very good site! Best!
Write something else. Thanks! Best Blog...
Well done. Keep up the great work. Best regards!
Thanks to author! I like articles like this, very interesting.
Post a Comment
<< Home