Los Angeles finally about to crack down on homeless camps (San Francisco: quality of life, living)

[UB50]

Originally Posted by UKWildcat1981

They actually had homeless people when I visited Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Westwood and other rich west side LA places which surprised me a bit, they need to start addressing mental health problems in the USA its really sad people get to that point of being homeless.

A lot of the problem is the cost of housing. Some are mentally ill, some are drug abusers -- but a good many simply don't make enough to have housing.

[UB50]

Originally Posted by jm1982

You don't see to many homeless in Burbank , Culver City but you see a lot in Santa Monica even though Santa Monica is likely a more expensive and wealthy area.

There are homeless people in Burbank. You have to look to find them but they are there.

I saw a man begging out in front of the Vons on Alameda once. He had a huge tumor in the middle of his face (it was the size of a large grapefruit). I've always wondered what happened to him since he wasn't a candidate for "get a job."

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by jm1982

I think your answer sounds good.

The problem is that there are a lot of people that realized there is lax enforcement of laws on the books so they come here to take advantage of that.

I don't think it's crazy to verify residency.

The thing is if there was a serious effort to enforce the laws the message would get across.
Word would get around that people couldn't just keep doing the same things and get away with it.
Aggressive pandhandling, littering, etc

I relate and sympathize with your frustration, but what you're advocating is a police state. And this is exactly how a small elite gets support for it. Be careful what you wish for. Very careful.

What needs to happen is a program for housing the homeless like Salt Lake City has. It works, and doesn't necessarily cost more money, as many homeless cost a lot in police calls and emergency room visits anyway.

[UKWildcat1981]

Originally Posted by UB50

A lot of the problem is the cost of housing. Some are mentally ill, some are drug abusers -- but a good many simply don't make enough to have housing.

Thats even more sad

[jm1982]

Doesn't have anything to do with class enemies. It just has to do with people wanting to enjoy public spaces.

Allowing people to just urinate defecate and drinking in public , aggressively panhandle public and run around screaming obscenities etc is not a desirable thing.

Obviously not all the homeless do this , but there are a lot of 'side effects' of homelessness .

Many people don't want to look at the reality of the situation and pretend like everything is just fine.

[UKWildcat1981]

Originally Posted by jm1982

Doesn't have anything to do with class enemies. It just has to do with people wanting to enjoy public spaces.

Allowing people to just urinate defecate and drinking in public , aggressively panhandle public and run around screaming obscenities etc is not a desirable thing.

Obviously not all the homeless do this , but there are a lot of 'side effects' of homelessness .

Many people don't want to look at the reality of the situation and pretend like everything is just fine.

The homeless people that made me the most depressed were the young kids in hollywood or skid row, no reason why any child ages 8-16 should be homeless.. you know the sexual predators are going to prey on them.

[jm1982]

Originally Posted by mysticaltyger

I relate and sympathize with your frustration, but what you're advocating is a police state. And this is exactly how a small elite gets support for it. Be careful what you wish for. Very careful.

What needs to happen is a program for housing the homeless like Salt Lake City has. It works, and doesn't necessarily cost more money, as many homeless cost a lot in police calls and emergency room visits anyway.

I think the city should explore anything that works.

At the same time I don't think we should send the message that this a great place to come if you don't want to work or be productive..

I know it might sound harsh, but we don't really seem to be swimming in money.

[UKWildcat1981]

Originally Posted by jm1982

I think the city should explore anything that works.

At the same time I don't think we should send the message that this a great place to come if you don't want to work or be productive..

I know it might sound harsh, but we don't really seem to be swimming in money.

You are the most realistic and on point LA poster I have found on CD. You are the man.

[UB50]

Originally Posted by UKWildcat1981

The homeless people that made me the most depressed were the young kids in hollywood or skid row, no reason why any child ages 8-16 should be homeless.. you know the sexual predators are going to prey on them.

Years ago (early '80s), when I first moved to LA, it used to depress me to drive down Broadway (downtown) at 2 a.m. and see whole families with little kids homeless. What kind of a city allows this type of thing to happen?

[UKWildcat1981]

Originally Posted by UB50

Years ago (early '80s), when I first moved to LA, it used to depress me to drive down Broadway (downtown) at 2 a.m. and see whole families with little kids homeless. What kind of a city allows this type of thing to happen?

I heard Hollywood's homeless problem was worse in the 80s but Skid Row and parts of Hollywood are still really bad at night, it was depressing.