Santa Cruz More Reactionary Than L.A. Towards Homeless?

Last night I spoke at the Scotts Valley City Council against a proposed new sleeping ban. I had no pre-conceptions of changing the minds of the Scotts Valley City Council – they were going to pass this ordinance regardless of any public comment. I learned one thing. The council may be insane. More important, homeless people are being blamed for all of societies’ ills. More and more the “homeless” are being lumped together, considered and treated the same. Its pure good old fashion racism. It is nothing new, but it is getting worse.

The homeless are veterans, fathers, mothers, conservatives, liberals, mentally ill, battered, disabled, terminally ill, poor, drug users, alcoholics, happy , sad, good people, bad people and abused people, just like everywhere, homeless or not. Some homeless want to live a life outside of the norm, whatever the norm is. The majority of those that choose to live outside the norm take no services and are largely responsible good people. There are always exceptions. Humans are not perfect whatever class you put them into to.

Drug addiction is considered a disease – but if you catch it, they put you in prison. One out of every 136 people is now in jail or prison, 70% for drug charges.

Large populations of our county feel the homeless are now the cause of the rise in crime, rape, child molestation, drug abuse and all the pollution in the rivers. They are responsible for tourism problems, lack of business and the economy. It is all there fault. They could all change if they wanted.

This is the mentality I hear more and more as homelessness rises. It was certainly evident at the Council meeting.

I truly fear the tactics we will see used as the divide between the rich and poor widens. Sleeping Bans may seem tepid compared to what may come if the Jones Decision fails and people do not start demanding change now. Demanding means more then simply going to a council meeting or holding up a sign. We need to fight this tooth and nail. This will take the courage of the community to come together and be willing to fight this, even if it means getting a ticket or going to jail.

One council member commented saying, “private property owners should consider clear cutting” The mayor shook his head stunned. However, he would also have his moment of insanity.

Nearly every council member said this law would do little to help either the problem of camping or the problem of homelessness itself. Somehow, they felt it a “stepping stone” they needed to pass, at the beginning of winter -- less then a month before Christmas. It was also made clear – further action would most likely occur in the future.

At the end, for a brief moment, the new Mayor did try to think of other solutions - asking his advisors about available areas where people can tent etc. then, just as he began to almost make a little sense, he paused and said “you know, people who want to just live free and camp can, they have places for them.”

A few of us laughed wanting to know where this “fantasy camp ground” is, because I would like to go.

Sleeping bans aimed at the homeless are unethical, immoral and unconstitutional.

We should judge our society on how we treat our most vulnerable and poor.

Fuck the Sleeping ban! Its time to stop asking and begin demanding.

ttp://www.indybay.org/uploads/2006/10/22/sentinelphotographer.jpg
this is a picture of the victims of USCS's emergency response team in October, 2006 being photographer by a Sentinal photog who is laughing about it