Replies

Bob, I took the time to view the video. The statistics bear out where the problem really has it’s genesis, DRUG ABUSE! But I have to tell you, I am out of compassion where these people are concerned. But I agree that something needs to be done.
We just sold a commercial office building in a well-known North Bay city ( SF Bay). We owned it for 18 years. For the past five years, we have had to deal with “homeless people” using our building as a place to sleep and as a toilet. Almost without exception, they were young, white, decently dressed, and most had a bicycle and a backpack. We were forced to install security cameras that were connected to our home by the internet. For the first year, I was up nearly every night, being awakened by the cameras alerting us to a trespasser. The police dispatcher knew my voice. The police came to know me very well, and they did their job admirally. The problem in California has been exascerbated by the Legislature changing criminal law to create a new category that’s less than a misdemeanor, it’s called an “infraction.” Simple trespass is now an infraction. Can’t make an arrest, just give them a citation and make them move on, leaving their piss, shit and needles behind for us to clean up.The cops told us that when they do make an arrest. the person is out on the street before they are, because of the paperwork involved.
The truth is, our problem is really our government, and its unwillingness to actually confront the problem. We, as citizens, should have the right to have our streets free of all of them! In the video, 100 people have 3600 crimes ascribed to them over a limited number of years! It is crazy to allow that to go unpunished. Trying to paint it as a human tragedy when those involved made conscious choices that lead them to the street. It would be one thing to treat the mentally ill, who became mentally ill through no fault of their own, but an entirely different “treatment” should be given to those who have voluntarily trashed themselves.