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I have come to the realization that SF's homeless problems cannot be solved. It is simply because this is probably the only city in America that is willing to n
by dmode 9y ago
I have come to the realization that SF's homeless problems cannot be solved. It is simply because this is probably the only city in America that is willing to not unleash the police on homeless population and tries to take care of them. After all they are citizens of this country as well. In my suburban city in the Bay Area, homeless people are not tolerated in any of the neighborhoods. In a way I applaud that SF is doing something to help poor and mentally ill folks, but the price is degradation of quality of life for everyone else.
- posguy 9y agoThe Bay area is royally fucked by zoning, full stop. You can drive around suburbs like the one you reside in and see the (high priced) slum, where taller & larger buildings have effectively been banned. Dezoning California so appropriate development can take place would allow for much of that homeless population that your police dept. chases into SF to actually be housed and perhaps take an active role in society. Housing First should be our priority, not chasing the poorest members of our society out of the ghettos that surround the average city in the US.
- corysama 9y agoI see SF cops interacting with the homeless regularly. And, what I've personally seen has been overwhelmingly positive. I see friendly conversations on street corners. I see cops checking up on people who in especially bad shape. Lately, I've several times seen cops driving by sidewalk-sitters where both yell back and forth to each other. It looks angry if you don't pay close attention. All parties are smiling.
- jshevek 9y agoThis is absolutely wonderful to hear. Constant harrasment by angry police officers (as I've seen in other locales) can be very damaging to the psyche if those who already have so much to deal with.