Panhandling Standing Up Is Okay, But Begging While Sitting Is Illegal
Curbed LA points out a new ordinance being drafted in Santa Monica, as another initiative to address homelessness. The ordinance states that people can not panhandle while sitting on the benches of the Promenade, an internationally renowned outdoor mall just three blocks from the Pacific Ocean.
The justification? The benches were designed for shoppers to rest, not for homeless people to hit up shoppers for a hand out. An ordinance would prevent people from begging while sitting. Even though people homeless in Santa Monica still have their constitutional right to ask for a handout while standing.
This is another initiative that certainly reinforces the fact that Santa Monica is no longer “The Republic of Santa Monica.” It’s more like Santa Monica Inc.
Until just a couple of months ago, Santa Monica was my home. For ten years, I have experienced the gradual attitudinal drift from “welcoming arms for people who are homeless” to “not-in-my-backyard” in this wonderful beachside community. My neighbors used to pat me on the back telling me how wonderful it is to help the homeless and poor. Now, they want to know how to take back their streets.
But Santa Monica is no different than hundreds of other cities around the country that want to deal with homelessness in a less compassionate approach, and a more business-oriented direction. That means programs or housing that clearly show successful outcomes that are taking people off the streets. Communities are overcome with compassion fatigue.
As I have stated in numerous previous postings, a balanced approach between compassion and law enforcement is fine. As long as hurting people on our streets are being housed, and not being criminalized.
So is it okay for Santa Monica to discard the title of “The Republic of Santa Monica”, and embrace “Santa Monica Inc.”? I think so.
(Pic from la.curbed.com)
The justification? The benches were designed for shoppers to rest, not for homeless people to hit up shoppers for a hand out. An ordinance would prevent people from begging while sitting. Even though people homeless in Santa Monica still have their constitutional right to ask for a handout while standing.
This is another initiative that certainly reinforces the fact that Santa Monica is no longer “The Republic of Santa Monica.” It’s more like Santa Monica Inc.
Until just a couple of months ago, Santa Monica was my home. For ten years, I have experienced the gradual attitudinal drift from “welcoming arms for people who are homeless” to “not-in-my-backyard” in this wonderful beachside community. My neighbors used to pat me on the back telling me how wonderful it is to help the homeless and poor. Now, they want to know how to take back their streets.
But Santa Monica is no different than hundreds of other cities around the country that want to deal with homelessness in a less compassionate approach, and a more business-oriented direction. That means programs or housing that clearly show successful outcomes that are taking people off the streets. Communities are overcome with compassion fatigue.
As I have stated in numerous previous postings, a balanced approach between compassion and law enforcement is fine. As long as hurting people on our streets are being housed, and not being criminalized.
So is it okay for Santa Monica to discard the title of “The Republic of Santa Monica”, and embrace “Santa Monica Inc.”? I think so.
(Pic from la.curbed.com)
posted by LA's Homeless Blog at
8:08 AM
2 Comments:
Its a hard call, because its annoying when a smelly homeless person is begging while sitting on the bench.
millions and millions and millions and millions spent on everything but housing. All the homeless have already been through rehab (10Xs), mental health groups (hundreds), anger management, life skills........And are still homeless and absolutely poor! It was never those problems....It's Housing and REAL training.
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