Dueling Homeless Protests this Tuesday in the Valley (Woodland, Dana Point: condo, crime)

[jm1982]

Some residents are fed up with homeless crime and are taking to the streets of the SFV

They are sick of local politicians inaction .

There is also another group that will be a pro homeless group .

Should be interesting ..

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As the number of homeless people in the San Fernando Valley has grown, some residents say they're fed up with criminal activity they claim is associated with those who ask for money at freeway off-ramps or live in tent encampments.

Some residents and others in the West Valley have decided to take action. They plan to march down Ventura Boulevard in Woodland Hills on Tuesday night to raise awareness about the "threat and impact that criminal transients have on our community," according to a Facebook page for the event.

Meanwhile, an opposing march, called the March to Counter the Criminalization of Homelessness in West SFV, is planned for the same time and place. Those behind the second march accuse the organizers of the first march of targeting and mischaracterizing homeless people.

Ventura Blvd. marches have something in common: The homeless. But that’s where it ends

[timtemtym]

I've noticed some of them leaving with the heat. One of them asked me while I was out walking one evening near Warner Ctr Park which way was downtown. I pointed towards the 101 and said "It's about 25 miles that way. You may want to take the orange line." He said "Oh! And Disneyland is that way too?" I nodded and he lit up with excitement and started walking that way. I tried to point him towards transit, but he had no interest in that. He didn't ask for anything either, just directions.

I'm sure once it cools off a little they'll come roaring back.

We can talk about housing affordability and whatever else, but there are people who come here to live the street life whether that's in an off-ramp median or in someone's back alley. I've seen them crapping in the bushes, and once behind an ATM. No one really has any idea on what to do about it. We've debated the issue on here many times. I can already see the next few pages will just fill up with anti liberal rants. Doesn't accomplish anything, but it sure makes people on here feel good about themselves.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by timtemtym

We can talk about housing affordability and whatever else, but there are people who come here to live the street life whether that's in an off-ramp median or in someone's back alley. I've seen them crapping in the bushes, and once behind an ATM. No one really has any idea on what to do about it. We've debated the issue on here many times. I can already see the next few pages will just fill up with anti liberal rants. Doesn't accomplish anything, but it sure makes people on here feel good about themselves.

No one does know what to do about it. There is really nothing they can do.

[timtemtym]

Originally Posted by expatCA

No one does know what to do about it. There is really nothing they can do.

Exactly. And it's sad. I work near Hollywood Blvd. so I walk it most days and I've become blind to it. I put in my headphones, step over or around the bodies and just keep moving. There's an article in today's OC Register about Dana Point residents where one guy can't let his kids play in their own backyard because he finds people just randomly hanging out there or leaving their garbage there.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by timtemtym

Exactly. And it's sad. I work near Hollywood Blvd. so I walk it most days and I've become blind to it. I put in my headphones, step over or around the bodies and just keep moving. There's an article in today's OC Register about Dana Point residents where one guy can't let his kids play in their own backyard because he finds people just randomly hanging out there or leaving their garbage there.

It is sad, but what can be done? Many want the life style, some have mental problems and cannot live a normal life, some are on drugs and do not want to give them up. The ones who want to get out of that life can be helped, but too many can't. Higher populations will have higher numbers of homeless and SoCal is about as dense as anywhere, so will have a LOT. The vast majority are not coming from other States either, rather are residents who ended up homeless for a variety of reasons.

[JustMike77]

I live in the heart of Warner Center and the homeless people don't bother me at all. Admittedly, I drive most (all) places, so I'm never stepping over anyone. Sure, some of them are nuts or on drugs, but I think a lot of them are just down on their luck. Case in point is the guy who worked at the local 7-11 5 or 6 years ago. He worked there for years. I used to talk to him all the time when I went there, nice guy, but completely screwed up since Vietnam. He lost his Dad and then lost his condo (they lived together). Long story short, he ended up homeless. He would hang around the 7-11 parking lot at night with a bunch of homeless young people. I'd still go over and talk to him and even met his "friends". One kid got thrown out of his parent's house, one was on drugs, one was hooking, you get the picture. Anyway, they were basically nice kids, just broke & messed up. I was born poor in Cleveland and went through 5 crazy/violent step-parents. Had it not been for my determination/smarts/good luck, I could have easily been one of them. Like the saying goes, "There, but for the grace of God, go I". I just can't find it in me to look down on them. And, BTW, I'm the farthest thing from a Liberal that you could find. I am, however, human.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by JustMike77

I live in the heart of Warner Center and the homeless people don't bother me at all. Admittedly, I drive most (all) places, so I'm never stepping over anyone. Sure, some of them are nuts or on drugs, but I think a lot of them are just down on their luck. Case in point is the guy who worked at the local 7-11 5 or 6 years ago. He worked there for years. I used to talk to him all the time when I went there, nice guy, but completely screwed up since Vietnam. He lost his Dad and then lost his condo (they lived together). Long story short, he ended up homeless. He would hang around the 7-11 parking lot at night with a bunch of homeless young people. I'd still go over and talk to him and even met his "friends". One kid got thrown out of his parent's house, one was on drugs, one was hooking, you get the picture. Anyway, they were basically nice kids, just broke & messed up. I was born poor in Cleveland and went through 5 crazy/violent step-parents. Had it not been for my determination/smarts/good luck, I could have easily been one of them. Like the saying goes, "There, but for the grace of God, go I". I just can't find it in me to look down on them. And, BTW, I'm the farthest thing from a Liberal that you could find. I am, however, human.

It really isn't a Liberal or Conservative issue, it is a human issue. No one wants anyone to be homeless or have the problems they do. The problem is there is no way to help the majority who either don't want the help or like the life style.

I am glad you survived your problems. Not everyone does.

[timtemtym]

There was an article today in the Daily News about a group in Chatsworth meeting up at Ralph's on Devonshire to "escort" customers into the store due to the "aggressive" homeless people in the area. The LAPD officer who showed up to support the group and event had an interesting quote: "We keep on throwing this word homelessness around like this is the issue. But it’s drug addiction and mental illness and that’s the reason why they’re here today.”

[jm1982]

Originally Posted by timtemtym

There was an article today in the Daily News about a group in Chatsworth meeting up at Ralph's on Devonshire to "escort" customers into the store due to the "aggressive" homeless people in the area. The LAPD officer who showed up to support the group and event had an interesting quote: "We keep on throwing this word homelessness around like this is the issue. But it’s drug addiction and mental illness and that’s the reason why they’re here today.”

True . The city has neglected to really protect decent citizens from drug addicts and mentally ill .

More people are saying enough is enough and demanding a return to law and order and decency.
A lot of it has to do with the early release of criminals .
That's not me saying that but law enforcement across the state .

They warned the politicians but they didn't listen .

[Exitus Acta Probat]

Originally Posted by timtemtym

There was an article today in the Daily News about a group in Chatsworth meeting up at Ralph's on Devonshire to "escort" customers into the store due to the "aggressive" homeless people in the area. The LAPD officer who showed up to support the group and event had an interesting quote: "We keep on throwing this word homelessness around like this is the issue. But it’s drug addiction and mental illness and that’s the reason why they’re here today.”

Indeed. As I've stated numerous times here, it's not an issue of people not having homes. It's an issue of mentally deranged people engaging in uncivil, often violent behavior. No law abiding stakeholders in society should be subjected to that.