It is interesting how large cities with a similar problem differ from smaller "towns" like Santa Cruz which have as bad or worse problem (due to concentration/s

It is interesting how large cities with a similar problem differ from smaller "towns" like Santa Cruz which have as bad or worse problem (due to concentration/space constraints). Local individuals here will defend and make excuses for ill behavior, even to the point a few years back -- a local shelter w/ no bed space (waiting list); magically a mentally disturbed individual (inadvertently released) finds bed space due to AB109 or similar; a few days later brutally murders a local business woman who was walking between her house and downtown. When other individuals asked to understand why someone like this magically got bed space, local "homeless advocates" were apoplectic about such questions. Here, the politics around "homeless issues" are highly polarizing. The ability to have a rationale conversation is almost impossible. I understand the urge to rant. After 25 years here, some of those "burbs" you mentioned are looking appealing as are other areas in rural california, etc.