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The Homeless : 2/5/2009

I agree, something needs to be done. Especially when my parents come a long way to visit me and to enjoy SB. My mom loves to go shopping on State St while my father would rather sit on a bench and just enjoy the passers-by, he couldn't because some homeless person was stretched out and even if they weren't he couldn't stand to sit next to them due to the "smell". My father has a hard time walking, and sometimes there would be no place for him to sit because the majority of benches were occupied by a homeless person. They are definitely an eyesore. And those who are panhandling are intimidating. Many of whom are quite capable of getting a job, I feel, they are not too proud to beg, but too proud to get a job at McDonalds. Not all of them are mentally ill or drugged out, they're just lazy. Get them off the streets. I am usually a compassionate person, but I'm sorry, my compassion has run out.

The Homeless : 2/5/2009

I personally love having all the dirty homeless and desperate panhandlers etc downtown.. I work hard at a job downtown, I share rent in an old broken apartment, and cannot afford to buy a modest house. I get depressed sometimes because of my lack of any real savings living in expensive SB. Then I walk downdown and see these people; I feel great about how fortunate my life really is. It make me smile to think that in a town of million dollar homes and money that I am not on the bottom the economic ladder with my meager 50k a year job. I love having them around for my own economic relativity.

Jessica

You are far worse to have around : 2/5/2009

You said: "Not only are the chronically homeless - most of whom are mentally ill and drug-addicted - an eyesore ..." But see the problem is not the poor folks suffering from mental illness and addictions, it is subhuman social parasites like you who can actually see another, less fortunate person as an "eyesore." What have you ever contributed to this community? Have you benefitted from the two-tier socioeconomic system here? Do you enjoy cheap tacos and having your lawn mowed for $15 a week? People like you are the ones who should be driven out of this town, which used to be a nice compassionate place to live, and where people had empathy for others who were in pain. You self-centered waste of space! Your final comment says it all : "without having to fear a homeless encounter." Yeah, god forbid you should have to encounter someone who isn't as privileged and spoiled as you. That would be scary. Myself, I'd like to be able to walk around my town without fearing a yuppie scum encounter.

Just a human

lame : 2/5/2009

some how a google search landed me on this joke of a "news" page.

wrong number

THE HOMELESS : 2/5/2009

I am dismayed by the tone of this article. Homelessness in America is so clearly the tip of the iceberg(s) of poverty, education, health care, lack of all sorts of vital social services. Of course we in Santa Barbara need to do everything we can in terms of prevention and intervention, and the sooner the better. I am sorry to hear this writer's concerns focussed so strongly on the --really, now--VERY superficial aspects of "how this affects MY comfort". Ms Perry and I sleep in comfort. We can bathe at home whenever we like. We are welcome to use restrooms all over the city--including many that are not available to many of the unfortunate folks whose biological realities are so offensive to her. Energetic compassion is what's called for, not this kind of resentful grousing. Dora

Well isn't it awful : 2/5/2009

that people like you have to see the underbelly of society. Do you think it doesn't exist if you push it out sight. Build a Potemkin Village and pretend you have no responsibility to build, for example, a year round shelter and mental health treatment facilities instead of jails. Alternatively (and I suspect you'd like this idea) we could build gates around the city just as folks like you build them around your neighborhoods. Only verified affluent tourists and residents would be allowed to enter.

RHS

Faith somewhat restored : 2/5/2009

As the 3rd poster in this thread I would like to say that I am encouraged that 5 out of 6 people so far find Ms. Perry and her opinions to be far more offensive than the homeless on our streets. The only question is; why does the Daily Sound allot so much of its valuable space to a self-centered, antisocial bloviator like her?

Still just a human

Love Acts. Lovelessness Complains. : 2/5/2009

All of US are only one natural disaster, family catastrophe, drastic turn in health or employment away from crossing the line of inconvenient living. The gift of love is only an idea until someone acts. Us/Them mentality is deception and loveless.

One Step Away

Please Visit the Homeless on Wednesday! : 2/5/2009

I have been working with the homless once a month or more for the least 2 years (almost!). I am really shocked at this article but understand where you might develop a point of view like that. It's easy to do in a this paradise of a community. The homeless gather with compassionate people from the comunity to dine together, share stories and for the people without homes to get clothing donations or backpacks, sleeping bags, toiletries, etc. Please come by sometime and you'll see not every person without a home is "mentally ill and drug-addicted ". In fact there are whole families out there due to our current economic situation. Would you really refuse a cry of help from a child?? Again, I urge you to come by and see for yourself, Wednesday nights at Pershing park. We welcome you with open arms!

So sad : 2/5/2009

It's our fault as readers that the Daily Sound would even print an article like this. We led the editors to believe this is the kind of stuff we WANT to read. Write your editor a letter and ask them to keep these articles where they belong...out of print.

Homeless in Santa Barbara : 2/5/2009

First off, I agree with you on one thing: "chronic homelessness is a problem in Santa Barbara". As for the rest of your article, let's be really honest. Do you see the homeless as "problems" or as people? The answer to that question determines where we can take this discussion, and what steps both you, and those who believe them to be God's children, will take on this issue from here on out...I encourage you to be angry, but direct your anger at the system(s) that have so far either failed to help this population, or the people that live here who just don't care. And that is what it comes down to, do you and I and the people of Santa Barbara care enough to do something positve, proactive, and compassionate to alleviate the homeless "problem" of this city... Sincerely, Pastor Tim Griggs

The Homeless : 2/5/2009

This hurtful and hateful article came to my attention at the homeless shelter. People were saddened and sickened by the tone. Moments later an even sadder fact was brought to my attention: Another homeless man was found beaten to death. We all should be careful who we scapegoat in this hard economic times. The poor and powerless are an easy target and the mentally ill are particularly defenseless. If instead of being mentally ill they suffered from lung cancer would we treat them so harshly? Mental illness is a disease and homelessness for them a symptom. It has also been eight months since the brutal murder of Gregory Gahn. When is his murderers going to be brought to justice?

Ken Williams

Really?? : 2/5/2009

Ms. Perry, I would suggest that you redact your article as every reference you make only shows that you view people without homes as "problems" rather then as people in varying circumstances that for whatever reason has landed them without a job, home, or other support. I strongly suggest, for the sake of your journalistic career, you may want to try actually investigating and bringing fourth all sides of an argument, rather than just a blatantly hateful opinion. Otherwise, you may find yourself on the receiving end of such discrimination. How would you like it if you lost your job, home, and family, and became SB's "problem" and something others fear? Would it be fair to assume that what you have determines who you are? And that when you lose everything, that you suddenly change into "an eyesore" and something that should be "dodge[d]"? Your article covers an important topic, and I agree that these people need help, I volunteer time with uffizimissionproject.org, and veronicaspringscommunity.org. But the connotation you give by classifying all people without homes as "mostly drug addicts and mentally ill" and referring to these individual people as "them", " they", and "an eyesore" shows that you don't care about the people, only about yourself. This thinking is part of the real problem, a lack of compassion, support, understanding, listening. I pray that God gives you a new sense of understanding, I pray that God gets you beyond your hurtful thinking.

God's Advice

: 2/5/2009

and you people wonder why no working people live here? this place is just getting worse and worse and all you do is wipe your eyes and hand them money, yup that will fix it

: 2/5/2009

please be compassionate

Letter to the editor : 2/5/2009

Dear Editor: I am astounded by the insensitivity of Gina Perry’s Feb. 5 column on homelessness. Yes, this certainly is a serious issue, most of all for the people who have no homes. As Perry pointed out, many homeless people have mental illnesses and/or addictions. I would add that others are escaping domestic violence, cannot find work, have been evicted or financially ruined by medical bills, or are kids whose parents have kicked them out for being gay. Whatever the factors that put a person there, living on the street can be tremendously stressful and difficult to escape. In many countries of the world, homelessness is not the problem that it is in the United States, a land of extreme individualism with a growing gap between rich and poor. Despite talk of “family values,” many people do not help their relatives or neighbors in tough times. We do not have enough mental health services, affordable housing, or job programs to realistically address the root causes of homelessness. Instead of analyzing these larger issues and showing compassion for people on the street, Perry calls them “eyesores” and “health hazards,” saying she won’t go downtown anymore because of having to “dodge” them. Well Ms. Perry, do us a favor and stay home. To paraphrase your last paragraph, I would like to be able to stroll Santa Barbara’s beautiful streets without encountering such selfish, spoiled snobs. I enjoy reading the Daily Sound and appreciate differing opinions based on solid arguments. This kind of uninformed, self-absorbed writing, however, does not reflect well on the paper, and I ask the editors to show better sense than to publish it.

Jeremy O. Simer, Goleta

The homeless : 2/5/2009

Given Ms. Perry's feelings of life in the amazing city of Santa Barbara, I have a strong hunch that she is enjoying the publicity of her horrific article. Shame on you, shame on you!!!!!! I pray you do not have children that you spew your racist non-sense on. Have you ever spent 20 minutes talking to a homeless person as a person and not an "eye-sore?" Have you ever asked them what you could do to help? Have you ever given them food or a bottle of water? Have you ever in your life thought of someone other than your self-centered self? Most homeless people don't enjoy being homeless. They don't like feeling like they are intruding. They don't like begging for money. They don't like being wet and cold on a night like tonight. They don't like having hunger pains. They don't like being in pain. But most of all, they don't like the looks and comments from people like you. They are human. Treat them as such, just as you would want to be treated. Would you allow a dog to be homeless, wet, cold and hungry? Would you take it to a shelter or provide shelter yourself? Would you comfort the dog? Probably. Did you ever smile or look in awe at the homeless man who has a cat, dog, and rat in front of Rite-Aid? Did you ever smile at the black man who sang songs to all that passed Borders or Fiesta Five or the farmers market? I challenge you to spend just a day (I'll push for a night) with them. It will be an eye-opener, not an "eye-sore." If you want change, be a part of positive change. Get hands on, get a little dirty. Take Jeff up on his offer at Pershing Park. He's one that knows what is going on. He saw a problem. He is now a part of the solution. He is hands-on. He is making a change. Stephanie, a life-time resident of this paradise city.

Stephanie

Dire Problem Indeed : 2/5/2009

I am not surprised by Perry's Comments. What bothers me most about Perry's honesty in this article is this apparent disdain for this "eyesore" of a man that was urine soaked and crawling with scabbies. I can certainly empathize with the woman in this story, but really no empathy at all for the man. Then there is Perry's advisement that there is a "dire" problem. But for whom is this situation dire. The woman, the man, all or just Perry? It seems that for some people "fear" is good for rallying support for preemptive war as well as this meager rally for homeless services.

Don McDermott

Shame on the Sound : 2/6/2009

This makes my stomach turn. Would you print an opinion about what an "eyesore" Jews, African-Americans or the disabled are? Why is it ok to stir up hate against these already vulnerable people? I thought the Sound was a break from the hate-filled tirades printed in the News Press. I guess I'll have to turn to local bloggers for the local news.

A. Diaz

just AndyCOLAB in a little tight dress : 2/6/2009

What will Gina Perry to if she also knew that some of the ill street people also were gay? Oh, the Horror, the Horror. My gay spouse partner and I want to rent Gina's house in Mission Canyon, which she has advertised.

Francis Ford Coppola

Homlessness : 2/6/2009

I live on the east end of cacique st we do have a big problim drug sales at rite aid parking lot even with securty on the lot it dont matter they turn an the outher way and let go on we as tax payer dont deserve this . or do we yes today i am a cop caller if this gets wrote on be awere im watching you and will call the cops on you.

Did The Editor Take the Day off, or What? : 2/6/2009

Gina Perry is entitled to her opinions, no matter how petty, hateful and shameful they may be. The problem with this article is that it was published in the Sound, a paper that I used to have a relatively high opinion of in the past. Remember people, "paper doesn't refuse ink". Anyone can write anything, but that doesn't make it true, or appropriate. I'm hoping that Ms. Perry's piece slipped by the editor without being read by him. If he approved its printing, his judgment is as flawed as Ms. Perry's. What good can come of fear-mongering, name-calling and snobbery? I hear The Sound is cutting back to a 5-day a week paper from a daily. My guess is that the decision was a cost cutting measure. Why don't they take Ms. Perry off the payroll, and save even more money? I'm over reading her hateful drivel... S. Wright

S. Wright

They ways the community views the homeless have a direct impact : 2/6/2009

Ross Stiles was a sweet and gentle man, and the most recent victim of a society that devalues and dehumanizes the homeless as "eyesores". He will be missed and I hope for the sake of our other brothers and sisters on the street that the police investigate this as if Ross were the mayors son. and please Ms. perry set aside your hatred and meet some of your brothers and sisters on the street. Jason Tarman

Jason Tarman

Ms. Perry's warped ideal of Santa Barbara : 2/6/2009

Gina Perry - this comment is meant directly for you. How could you, in good concience, write the above article? Having a home, having the luck to NOT be mentally ill, and having access to a warm shower and hot meal are all fantastic blessings. These things DO NOT however make you better than the average homeless person or give you more of a right to enjoy Santa Barbara. This is not YOUR town. This is OUR town. Santa Barbara belongs to each person who lives here, not just the one's who can afford the $4,000 a month mortgage payment. No one chooses to be hungry and dirty, without a safe place to sleep,without access to medical care, prey to every danger that comes thier way. Get off your high horse and try to conjure up some compassion for the rest of mankind. If you want to make a difference in the beauty that is Santa Barbara, how about forgoing one of your lovely strolls and volunteering some of your time at one of our many homeless shelters? There are many ways to make a difference in Santa Barbara that are much more useful than ranting against people who have no power, no representation, and no hope.

Ambershawn Ruse

: 2/6/2009

Why is it that you feel the need to lump all homeless people into one large group and accuse them of all being mentally-ill or drug-addicts? First of all there are several homeless people that I have encountered over the past few years who neither touched drugs of any type nor had any kind of mental disorder or disability to speak of. So, therefor i am highly offended that you would presume to make such an outlandish statement. That is like saying that all artists are egotistical or eccentric which is not entirely the case.

mental health problems? : 2/6/2009

No need for the hurtful words towards all the homeless we have. I think everyone knows that mental health problems are cured by long leisurely days a the beach. I think that is the "cure" for what these people suffer from. No home?...no income?...thats fine, sit around the beach all day and watch your worries vanish.... what a joke... maybe if they tried to help themselves just a tiny bit, i would have a little more compassion.

taxpayer

Homeless in S.B. : 2/6/2009

I am saddened to read, yet again, an article about the homeless and your opinion (Daily Sound, 2/5/09) that they are "..an eyesore". What has happened to our humanity? These are human beings just like us - they have a heart - they have feelings - they are struggling. They are someone's daughter, son, father, mother, brother, sister. In this economy, any one of us could be in their shoes. Instead of complaining and viewing them as less than human, why not become part of the solution? There is a movement happening in several locations around town where the homeless live. http://www.uffizimission.org/pershing-park-movement/ We have a meal sharing every Wednesday night, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Pershing Park with our friends-without-houses. We have a street medical team that comes each week and help those who need it. I once was the person who looked the other way when encountering these people. Now, they have become my friends. My hope in these relationships is two fold 1) I want them to know that someone cares - that they are not less than human, and 2) I want to help them get off the streets and become productive residents of our city. There are many tender moments - last night, after our dinner, we had a birthday celebration for "Heather", her 40th. All of us (around 60) sang her happy birthday, shared a birthday cake, and gave her some clothing, as hers were recently stolen. She was so touched. Many times, I sit and pass out plates to those in line. Everyone of them say thank you. I have not witnessed anything but a family of people eating and enjoying each other's company. There but for the grace of God, go all of us. Be thankful for what you have. The next time you walk by a homeless man or woman, I hope your heartstrings are pulled and at the very least, you smile at them. Look them in the eye. Visit with them. They have great stories and many are very talented and friendly. Very few are mentally ill, Ms. Perry. I would like you to join us for a Wednesday night dinner at Pershing Park. I would be happy to join you and show you a different side of the story.

Kathy

frieldly homeless? : 2/6/2009

Are you sure you are referring to Santa Barbara when you speak of friendly non-mentally ill homeless? SB is not the place to be if you are a homeless person struggling to make ends meet and do better for yourself. How about heading to oxnard and working in the fields. Last time i checked, you don't need a Phd to pick vegetables. SB is a place to be if you are homeless and want a nice easy comfy life. Great weather, beach every day, plenty of "spare change" given to you by all of our bleeding heart liberals, etc... I guess some people can't resist the puppy dog face some of these guys put on. I was born and raised here and see the same "homeless" year after year. Apparently what we have been doing seems to be doing a great job of keeping them on the streets.

taxpayer

: 2/6/2009

how about instead of complaining about the "mentally ill and drug-addicted" vermin that are plaguing your pleasantville, you trye volunteering at a local shelter (try the rescue mission), writing Lois Capps to improve funding for drug rehab and job training, or at least writing a check to help people who care do something about your problem. To be honest, I'm glad you stay at home. We don't really miss you downtown. I doubt the tourists that you so dearly wish to impress do either, and as for your fear of a human encounter, I personally wouldn't want to meet you on the street. Try taking a step back from your privilege to realize that, "there, but the grace of God, go I." We should all be appreciative of what we have been blessed with, through no good deed or intelligence of innate value of our own, and give compassion to those who are struggling. And I DO think it's too much to ask to ship people off that you don't care for. I'm sorry they don't smell like Chanel. Maybe these hard times will help you remember that it wouldn't take much for ANY of us to end up in the same place.

an SB native

Homeless In Paradise : 2/7/2009

To the author of this disturbing piece: We are all just a pay check or two away from being homeless.....meet you at Transition house, if we are lucky.

elizabeth

Exactly Right ...To the "Thought Police" on this site... : 2/7/2009

This is an honest, non-PC, opinion that I have heard voiced countless times. We are spending more per homeless than our children in SB. They occupy the main tourist areas of SB and they harass tourists and citizens and are mostly drunk or smoking weed. Tourists don't want to see this. Just facts...it hurts businesses trying to make it in SB and as a taxpayer of SB, this is not good for them or the town. It does not mean we do not care about these people, but you have to face the fact that this town is too expensive for most homeless. Good Lord, listen to yourself, you can not hear a dissenting opinion...try to have some independent thoughts.

Dear Leader

: 2/7/2009

I've traveled to many places in my life, I've seen homeless people everywhere from Barcelona to Paris to Latin America to Santa barbara, but I see them as human beings. It saddens me that people like Mrs.Perry seem to be afraid and paranoid of homeless people. Maybe you should take the time to volunteer at the homeless shelter or the rescue mission, to see that these people are just as human as you. it doesn't hurt right? -<3 me

Gina Perry's column : 2/7/2009

You Santa Barbara natives better wise up to how much damage your permissive attitude towards the homeless is having on your community. At some point travelers (who visit your city, support your businesses and pay taxes) will begin to view your community like the bay area up north where one have a difficult time not getting hit by panhandlers within seconds of leaving a Union Square hotel. There are many reasons why people live the homeless life; some by their own choice other not. But providing an environment that encourages and accommodates the homeless lifestyle is not working. Those of you who feel that Ms Perry column on this subject is callused and off base might want to put your money where your mouth is and invite a homeless person to share your home with you and your family and quit expressing your compassion merely by writing this garbage that sooths your own personal social conscience.

traveler

Bleeding Hearts : 2/7/2009

Kudos to Gina and "Taxpayer"! Maybe all of you bleeding hearts should hire these folks if you feel so sorry for them. Oh, or maybe you are waiting for your new President to bail them out. Wake up and take responsibility for your actions. I'm tired of my tax dollars going to deadbeats! Jessica, of course you know you have a CHOICE to move to a cheaper city!

Steelworker's Daughter

People without a Roof over their heads; People who struggle with mental disabilities : 2/8/2009

Gina Perry's column sends a chill. I hear echoes of Nazi-ism: "they are proliferating". The words this lady has written go a long way towards turning human beings - more like herself than Gina Perry might guess - into subhumans. The Daily Sound needs an Editor with a firm sense of values. Gina Perry needs to help out at the homeless shelter. If she regards herself as a true journalist, she will accept this challenge: volunteer at Casa Esperanza and write a column based on your experience there. Of course, this will require that you confront your fear, Ms. Perry. Fear lies behind words like yours.

KED

: 2/8/2009

"There but for Fortune go you and I. " Today is special to me, not only because of the d8, but because of this thread. Gina Perry has a right to her opinion---that she voices it in a newspaper and that her community has a loving heart and compassionate soul and takes the time to eloquently respond to it is awesome Let us join the poster in Pershing Park on Wednesdays. Or, meet Sundays---7:00 pm---Unity House on Santa Barbara and Arrellega---at the Consumer Advocacy Coalition---a meeting of the mentally ill whose supports and services were cut by the ADMHSA. The administration was created to provide for the drug-and-alcohol addicted and the mentally ill but the money ends up feeding and housing administrators. Let us continue to discuss, dialogue, plan and implement actions that will resolve the problems that the homeless have so that they may live a successful, healthy, and happy lives. I used to be a clients' rights advocate. In December, I saw a Hispanic women in prayer position in a parking lot, almost hit by a car that was backing out , screaming to a officer with a holstered gun about her "ninos," I decided to get involved. By the time I arrived to sit next to her on a curb, her pants were urine-soaked and her shoes were oozing with brown liquid excrement. I went through my protocol, (which was old---I hadn't "been in practice" for thirty years) and determined that her child was safe, she was not a danger to herself or others, and after the officers made assholes of themselves (they didn't speak Spanish but kept yelling, "Silencio! Silencio!" while I was trying to get information). They finally asked me who I was and what I was doing. They had never heard of a Clients Rights Mental Health Advocate---I am also an activist, diagnosed with a mental illness due to police brutality. I was the person who had made the Emergency Call. After hearing that I was going to drive her home, one of the three sheriffs gave me a diaper, saying it was for my car seat. When I responded that I was going to his superior to file a complaint, he threatened to cite me for obstruction of justice. Sheriff Brown refuses to investigate my complaints against law enforcement for violations of civil rights and common decency; the schools refuse to investigate my complaints against systematic and systemic violations of educational and state and federal law. As far as I know, I am the only person that Gina Perry has named---castigated and purposefully humiliated---in her Daily Sound political column. Hate has a way of hurting the hater, though, and today, my half-birthday, I take the name my father gave me for my car license plate: "vindk8." I ask The Daily Sound to print our remarks in the paper, to increase funding to Cheri Rae and to reduce funding to Gina Perry. She might be writing without remuneration, in which case I request that she be required to pay The Daily Sound for the printing of her pap. The time is coming---mark my words---that Truth and Justice will prevail. Visit sbschooltalk.com and applecorpspress.ning.com. Sincerely, k8longstory, formerly known as Kate Smith P.S. Your requested age range doesn't go beyond 50, but I do!

k8longstory

Journalistic Bonds for Gina Perry : 2/8/2009

Gina Perry begins her commentary by describing "a woman in a flowery dress" and the reader assumes she was a witness to the event. which she states took place on State Street. Perry continues the descriptive narrative, quoting a paramedic's comments, and a tourist's reaction ("stifled a scream," "leaps," "thanks the paramedic," "rushes back to her hotel room,") and then states that the woman "spends the rest of her vacation" checking for red bumps and rashes. DID GINA PERRY KNOW THE TOURIST? DID SHE FOLLOW THE WOMAN BACK TO HER HOTEL ROOM AND CONTACT HER IN THE ENSUING DAYS? OR DID SHE MAKE THIS UP? Her article is frought with undefined terms and misconceptions, and leaps of illogical proportion. The City Council Subcommittee---what are the recommendations that she suggests "should be adopted at the earliest opportunity?" Her claim to being a "taxpaying resident" somehow gives her the right to blame the homeless for her "fear" of them. I can assure Ms. Perry that the homeless are logged into the social welfare system and none of them are "tax cheats" the likes of our congressional politicians. Please vet Ms. Perry's journalistic credentials. She asks rhetorical questions that I choose to answer: "Is anyone in Santa Barbara not afraid to use a public restroom?" My daughter has hydro-nephrosis and I work downtown delivering newspapers, so both of us use public bathrooms and are unafraid while doing so. I would rather live in a community that supported and embraced the homeless than live in a land of good Nazis who would cart them off for ethnic-and-esthetic-cleansing purposes. I would be ashamed to value the almighty tourist dollar over the commandments of our Almighty God to help one another. Obviously, Ms. Perry has never been visited by poverty, illness, or despair but I suggest that she fear the Four Horsemen coming to her door more than she fear public park benches. "Frankly, I don’t think that’s too much to ask." I am disturbed, indeed, to read that she lives in my neighborhood, Mission Canyon. Is your refrigerator running? Oh, if it runs by my house, I'll try to catch it for you.

k94applecorpspress

Whoa... : 2/9/2009

If you don't think spouting a disregard for the plight of mankind makes you a hopeless b**ch, think again.

Whoa...

No Compassion : 2/9/2009

I am appalled at this article, complaining about these human beings. Instead of actually helping them you complain about their existence. I urge you next time you encounter a homeless person, not to turn the other way. Politely and with dignity give them directions to the Labor Line on Yanonali Street. And if you are compassionate, open that door of your yuppy vehicle of yours and drive them down to the labor line. Showing people the right path is much better than complaining about the path that they are on. God Bless

Michelle

Gina Perry : 2/9/2009

Not only is Gina Perry biased in her opinions and intellectually deficcient, but she is also abusing her platform as an opinion columnist and is a hazard to the public's IQ. Perry's feable and undeniably moronic critique of the dilemma of homelessness does nothing more than make us aware that there are still people who thrive on stereotypes to make sense of their reality. Labeling the homeless people as drug addicted, mentally ill eyesores is not only arrogant but also neglectful of so many other reasons for homelessness. Gina fails to mention the large population of homeless war veterans, or those with foreclosed homes, or those that until just months ago had high paying jobs and are now joining the ranks of the unemployed, meth addicted pariahs of Perry's sacred world. One hilarious side note is that Ms. Perry shows more compassion for the tourists who have to look at homeless people, than for the homeless themselves. I heard she started the "save the tourists of S.B." foundation...weekly meetings alternate between the Biltmore, the Bacara, and the Doubletree...the next event is called "I hate homeless people, please pass the fondue." The tourist/homeless debate is also funny because Perry fails to mention the decline in overall tourism due to the struggling economy, and she doesn't recognize that anyone who is doing any recreational traveling right now is very fortunate. The reality of this all is that Gina will eventually die out. The buzz about her radical opinions that show no writing talent, and lack factual evidence will eventually fade-out. People will only deem her articles worthy of a response for so long. However, the issues she has touched on in the past like Prop 8 and gay rights, and now homelessness are issues that society will be dealing with perpetually. So long after Gina has written her last article about ending women's suffrage we'll have to keep coming up with solutions to make society more functional. -written in one of s.b.'s public bathrooms before using Gina's article to clean up a little mess.

homeless : 2/9/2009

Gina Perry - You have no soul.

kim

Got it all wrong : 2/9/2009

You guys have it all wrong. Gina Perry has done a tremendous amount of good for the homeless community with this article. For years, each and every one of the commenters on this page walked past the homeless pan-handling population of Santa Barbara and didn't do a thing. Then Gina Perry writes what many of you claim to be a soul-less, uneducated column and all of the sudden people care about the homeless again. I would like to thank Gina for shining a light on a serious problem. Do I agree with her approach? No! Do I hate the Daily Sound for printing it? No! But I now have a renewed sense of enthusiasm to help fight homelessness in Santa Barbara. Thank you Gina and thank you Daily Sound.

Open minded in SB

Homeless : 2/9/2009

If only there was some type of camp in the middle of no where we could send them to. It would work out great because than people in SB would be able to enjoy the park again. Plus the homeless people could have a place to figure out what there problem is.

Britni

the good Samaratin : 2/9/2009

I am not a big Christian but your little rant reminds me of this story. Jesus was asked by a lawyer how to attain salvation. Jesus asked him what does the law say, the lawyer said to love thy neighbor. Then the lawyer asks, "but who is my neighbor". Jesus tells him the story of the good Samaritan. you ought to read it you pathetic self obsessed selfish, self centered twit. your sense of entitle ment and lack of compassion is nauseating.

Condo

Watch out from homeless people!!!! : 2/9/2009

Wow...you would round them up in giant fenced places with tower guards and dogs, and firendly policemen in snazzy uniforms to see that those dirty ugly bums don't ever get out? Or you could "go socialist" and try to see that people don't become homeless in the first place...I trust that, being you in the u.s., you'll undoubtably choose the nazi-er solution...

Kull

Compassion : 2/9/2009

Homelessness is truly a problem. I have vague idea as to how that might feel, though I've never been homeless for more than a few weeks myself. Imagine what it must be like to be shunned by society, without a social network, no job, no roof over your head, no chance of having your ailments treated. Now imagine that people around you look at you as garbage, literal garbage, human waste, with no regard for your suffering, only for the fact that through your abject misery you may have exposed them to a side of life, they do not wish to see. To be the human equivalent of the of dog poo on your new, white sneakers. Any Atheist, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Moslem - anyone human must understand that homeless people are PEOPLE, not an inconvenience to be kept out of sight, no, as every human being they deserve our compassion. When I feel myself repulsed by human suffering, I like to pause and try to imagine how that suffering must feel and how other people might help me alliviate it, were I the one afflicted. I may not be able to save anyone, but treating your fellow men as humans tend to make them act that way. The invountary irony in your article is, that of the homeless person and the shopping princess, the homeless guy is the lesser of two evils - at least his contribution to the demise of civilization through senseless exploitation of our very finite resources, is negilible compared to that of the average american shopper. In the long run (say more than one fiscal year) producing and spending very little is very much preferable to overspending and producing more useless junk. By the way, Gina, you wouldn't happen to be the religious type, would you? Don't tell me you're a Christian, that'd be hillarious. If you don't like homeless people everywhere, I suggest you do something about people being homeless. Or perhaps you would prefer moving the problem around?

Chris

Should be appalled : 2/10/2009

Gina should be appalled by the condition of the (homeless) person, whether homeless or with a home. We shouldn't accept dirty, smelly people as the norm. These people need help. They are sick; whether mentally, physically or socially. You may not want to hear it, but she's right, something needs to be done. There are too many people in this condition, especially in SB. I''m glad to hear there are so many of you around here to take care of our needy residents. Not all of us are as compassionate or caring. But keep in mind, your attitude may keep many of us from joining you in your pursuit to be saints. Your tongue is just as cruel (or more so) than even Gina's. Now I'm just as afraid of you as the "homeless". Please be nice to all your neighbors (homeless and wealthy included).

SB Native

A Bunch of Hippocrites : 2/10/2009

I don't see anyone inviting a homeless person to your home and helping them. It feels good to berate this author and then look at your own conscious. We let people live in the bushes and streets and it is ok as long as they are not in your neighborhood. Go and sit in a library chair and wonder what your sitting in all day. What is homeless.? A label filled with too many types of people. Hey, start getting honest with your self and not try to shame the author, when you are the guilty one. Go sit down at the library or park bench

RG

This article has haunted me : 2/11/2009

I have been angry since I read this article. The lack of compassion, the cruelty of the words, the snobbish tone, all made me sick. I thought to myself "what kind of community have we landed in?". I was worried that this would spark attacks on this all ready vulnerable population. A few days after this article was printed the headlines were focused on the brutal and fatal attack of a homeless man. My fears had been realized. I was so sad to see this and was hoping that this was not going to be a trend. I was relieved to read that so many in this communty were also appauled by this horrific piece. It has restored my faith in this glorious community...I only hope Ms. Perry has learned something here. I look forward to reading her heartfelt appology.

Lisa B.

yes, too much to ask : 2/11/2009

Ms Perry writes: "As a taxpaying resident, I would like to be able to stroll Santa Barbara’s beautiful streets, enjoy her stunning parks, rest on public benches, visit the public library, and use public facilities without having to fear a homeless encounter. Frankly, I don’t think that’s too much to ask." The fear is insane or at least a major overreaction to an "encounter" with those different from oneself. Seeing someone different in a shared city is an "encounter"? The writer needs help almost as much, smaller scale, as our economy needs help so there are not so many without homes, not so many with untreated mental illnesses. This was a graceless, mean-spirited column because of its first two paragraphs which read like a made-up story. (Who goes around in flowery dresses?!) More to the point, scabies don't "crawl" but is a skin condition, contagious, caused by a mite; it's very common in hospitals and nursing homes. I don't believe a paramedic would say that about scabies.

also a SB city (taxpaying) resident

The Homeless : 2/11/2009

Hi, MY SON is one of these Homeless and drug-addicted PEOPLE you are discussing. What brought me to this article is hard to imagine, almost too hard to say to people I will never meet, waaaayyyy to hard to say to someone I know. I came to this article because I was looking for any news of my son being arrested or worse. We have not heard from him since September 2008 and we haven't seen him more than twice in the past 6 years. He's stuck in Santa Barbara for parole for drugs and when he was sober for about 2 months he was rejected time after time after time for possible employment, even at Mc Donalds. He was hired at the grocery store until they read his backround of drug arrests. No chance to prove himself and be part of society. No chance. A few of the drug re-hab houses are successful but way too strict and then there are the ones operated by practicing addicts. Again, no chance. Jail you say? Hahahaha no chance. This is all I can really say right now because this subject is so incredibley deep and of course close to my heart. By the way, my son is 23 and beautiful and stuck in your town of NO CHANCE.

Mother of a Homeless dude

Gina Perry is a dire problem : 2/13/2009

I get scabies just reading Ms. Perry's foul garbage.

ianam

Homeless : 2/14/2009

My good friends 14 year old daughter was drowned by a homeless person in Santa Monica. Myself and my daughter (about 6 years old at the time); were assaulted by a homeless person on State Street. We need to help the homeless but you may want to be careful about picking them up and giving them a ride as suggested by more than a couple of people responding to this article.

Best wishes to all.

Get Real : 2/15/2009

I live downtown & I have face-to-face encounters with the homeless consistanly. Usually, when they're peeing in my bushes, shouting at people, passed-out drunk in front of my gate, so my children & I have to step over them to get inside our home. They are not all helpless, down-on-thier-lucks, who need asssitance getting on thier feet!!!! If this is what you think, you live in la-la land & are the one whom is out-of-touch. MANY of SB's homeless are young & able to work, like we all HAVE TO , to keep ourselves afloat. Many are just runaways who didn't like thier parents rules & hit the road. SBPD is known for going easy on the homeless. I once, gave some of my hard-earned money out to a man holding a sign by the freeway. He was Caucasian, neatly dressed & his sign said he desperately needed $$ to help him until his next paycheck. I thought that sounded honest & know what it's like living paycheck to paycheck, and how tight it can be, so I gave him a couple bucks...I saw him later that evening ( same clothes & everything) dining at The Chase lounge. As for those that are TRULY in need of assistance & that more impotantly WANT assistance getting on thier feet, I feel for them & support local efforts & charities. Support the shelters & charities, but resist giving money directly. This is not helping the issue or the person, in the long-run!! SBPD does need to clean-up State St!! Get to work & get the homeless off State Street. It's not fair to the vendors & business owners, who are paying enormous rents & struggling to make a living, when you have people sleeping or panhandling in front of your entryway.

Downtown Resident

Homeless : 2/18/2009

The Bums, Tramps and Hobos have always been sucking off the SB tax dollar and always will as long as you bleeding harts keep giving. I made my student film in 1971 while at Brooks about these bums.

Dennis Clark

homeless : 2/18/2009

To Just a Human. You sir or lady are one sick mentally disturbed person. Oh these poor people. If you can't afford to live in SB then get your ass out. It's not a right it's a privilege, get it?

Dennis Clark

Homeless in Santa Barbara : 2/20/2009

I was born and raised in Santa Barbara and used to spend a lot of time downtown and worked downtown. Now I hardly go downtown at all. It is true they seem to be spreading out all over. This is an embarrassement to our town and to visitors who come to visit and people who live here too. They are always begging for money. Hearing this story is absolutely disgusting and dangerous to everyones health. The amount of money we pay to live in this town too we shouldn't have to put up with this nor should tourists who pay good money to visit here. I hope they are not going into restaurants or shops. Very unsanitary. There are also a lot of motorhomes on the streets that should be parked in one area.

Kathy Elkins

"Chronic" Homeless... : 2/21/2009

Santa Barbara has been catering to the homeless from across the United States for years. Most are not from Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, or California. They choose this "lifestyle" as it meets their needs to be non productive, lazy, alcoholics, drug abusers and beggers. It has become an "industry" here in Santa Barbara. From all the drug and alcohol counselors, half way house social workers. Housing Authority employees and all the people who work to keep the funds coming into Santa Barbara to make the "homeless industry" thrive here; it's a business. Unfortunately, this homeless industry is costing us. From the decrease in tourism dollars via hotel bed taxes and retail sales, the word has gotten out that it's as bad a problem here as in San Francisco. Our City budget DEPENDS on tourism. We need the people who live within a 4 hours radius to come here and spend the weekend. Unfortunately, many who live here (property owners) know friends who won't come back due to be hassled by homeless (bums) when visiting. From the time visitors exit the 101 off ramps, to parking their vehicles, coming out of restaurants or walking on the bike path; All are sick of these vagrants, transients, homeless or bums. Helene Schnieder, our councilwoman/ mayor candidate is all about the homeless. If she had her way, the City would build more housing for the "chronic homeless" at the cost of our taxpayers funds. Her proudest achievment was getting an award for building a chronic homeless housing complex at the corner of Carrillo and Castillo streets. Now all their drinking buddies can hang out in and around that intersection, drinking and urinating in public. Maybe Helene will be looking at your neighborhood next... The problem is that there is a large transient voting population in Santa Barbara, Between City College with their student body from everywhere BUT Santa Barbara County, to UCSB and many others who want to try living here as a fresh start. Most leave prior to 5 years, when they realize how expensive it is to live and work here. In the meantime, they vote for bonds (City College) that affect those of us that have to pay property taxes, as well as vote in liberal social policies that have long standing consequences for the City. Write your Mayor, Council, City Administratior for CHANGE!

Hank Homburg

Homeless and/or Mentally Ill : 3/12/2009

03/11/09 CLAYTON, Calif. -- Prosecutors say the suspect in the fatal stabbing of a 73-year-old man at the Clayton post office may have been acting out of frustration when he couldn't cash in old postage stamps. Thirty-seven-year-old Shannon Moore has been charged with murder in the death of Raymond Casso. Authorities say Moore became upset Saturday when he couldn't cash in sheets of old stamps and appeared to randomly attack Casso, who was picking up his mail at the time. Contra Costa County prosecutor Harold Jewett says Moore has a history of mental illness and didn't seem to have a motive for choosing Casso as a victim. The case remains under investigation by postal investigators. Casso lived in Clayton with his wife of 47 years. He had three children and four grandchildren.

Thank you.

homeless enabling industry : 3/12/2009

Could not agree more, see my letter on the same topic in this weeks News Press, the City is full of individuals posing as caring for the homeless but who are in reality 'enablers' and they need the homeless issue to remain a problem so they can keep their jobs, they have NO incentive to fix this. It is up to us. Good job.

Argghhh : 4/4/2009

Good afternoon. Refuse to be ill. Never tell people you are ill; never own it to yourself. Illness is one of those things which a man should resist on principle. I am from Ireland and know bad English, give please true I wrote the following sentence: "airline tickets are good for one year and donated personally by - captain frank schmuck he personally volunteered the airline tickets and this promotion." THX :o, Ciceron.

Ciceron

The right never to be offended? : 4/6/2009

I have just today discovered Gina Perry's columns. She seems to have a belief that she has constitutional rights to never be offended by an "eyesore" (a fellow human being who is dirtier than herself or who is homeless or who is ill, mentally and/or physically), to never have to drive slower than she wishes to (see her anti-bicycling column, "Elephants and Toddlers"), and to refuse to allow her fellow citizens the same rights she has if they are in the minority, aka, as per Perry, "not normal" (see her Yes on Prop 8 column). Well, if she has the right never to be offended, then so do we all. Perhaps women with prominent noses covered with freckles offend me. Perhaps women with four children offend me. Perhaps women in "mid-sized" 4 ton SUVs offend me. Mrs. Roger Perry seems to have a serious issue with her sense of entitlement in this world and a startling lack of human compassion. Tell me, Mrs. Perry, do you also think other minorities should not be allowed to marry? And are we now to call all minorities "not normal"? Or is it truly only one minority you have an issue with, an issue which is truly nothing other than bigotry? Funny... some might say that photo of you and your friend Jo on Facebook hints at some unresolved issues with your own sexuality.

Michelle

: 4/6/2009

no matter how much you break it down there's always going to be panhandlers. you must have the ability to say no and not be intimidated

real thoughts

To "real thoughts" : 4/6/2009

"There will always be pan handlers"... There will always be "fill in the blank" The problem with the homeless, bums, street meth freaks, drunks, is that they affect city services. They cost the city big money in declining tax revenues as well as all the social services to "help" them out (even though most choose this "lifestyle" of not having to work and just hang out doing Cobras, meth or whatever floats their boat). In case you are new to Santa Barbara, a large percentage of our tax revenue comes from out of town visitors who stay in $200.00 plus per night hotel rooms I(bed tax) and spend their hard earned money here. To the previous writer who is offended by Ms. Perry's article, How about you take in a couple of homeless over to your place? I can accept different point of views, but I can't take liberal-hypocrites.

A real taxpayer

To "a real taxpayer" : 4/6/2009

Were you refering to me in your post when you mentioned the "previous writer"? If so, know two things: I likely pay more in taxes each year than you do in ten (and thus I too am "a real taxpayer") AND I have taken in strangers and let them stay in my guest house on more than one occasion, at least one of whom had been living in his car and showering at the Y. So eat your words. And quit assuming.

Michelle

: 4/8/2009

The Bush economy is an embarrassment for our Country. The Bush economy is impacting the world –and yes Santa Barbara too. I only hope we can all come out of this together.

recoverd homeless addict will share : 4/9/2009

Hi, I am a recoverd homeless alcoholic who lived in S.B.s Rainbow park ball feild for ten yrs. i've been watching and reading all about the homelessness while they still are pairrishing. Has anybody tried giving a hug and finding out what their needs are?How about one person who keeps woundering what to do about a hommie starts being afriend/mentor to help? Maybe if we start showing LOVE and understanding, we can chip away at these problems before more human lives are lost. dehopper7@hotmail.com

hopper

Homeless in SB : 4/10/2009

I can't believe the Daily Sound let this be published. I have never read such an insensitive and absolutely uninformed complaint filled piece of writing. This is more a reflection of Ms Perry's lack of knowledge, insensitivity and spoiled life than any kind of political column. My only hope are all the negative reactions this piece has gotten. But I must be clear, this makes me want to never read the Daily Sound again for being so irresponsible as to allow this to be published.

Fro "homeless in Santa Barbara..." : 4/10/2009

Maybe if you move out of Santa Barbara, you won't have to put up with those of us insenitive taxpayers that fund more homeless /social services than any other town of 90,000. You won't have to read the Daily Sound or the comments either... If you are in fact a resident here, take in a couple of the human scum that are sleeping underneath the State St overpass and 154. THEY seem inconsiderate and insensitive the way they litter with their empty beer cans and bottles, plastic wrappers, toilet paper "human mud" , piss in public for my kids to see as I drive by in my SUV, (yeah, I have a BIG SUV that tows my BIG ASS boat). Take your opinions to your buddies in the bushes

Homeless : 4/11/2009

Please post www.shelterandfood.com its a website for folks to find shelter and food

Ugly Writer : 4/14/2009

This article is the most shocking I have seen in The Daily Sound. My mouth first dropped when I read the word "eyesore". Shame on The Daily Sound for printing the article, and shame on the writer for being a rotten human being.

Gina should step down : 4/14/2009

I think the author of this article should loose her job because of the article. Then, the staff at The Daily Sound should issue a public apology.

Gina Perry : 6/27/2009

You are unfeeling and inhuman..while you have a right to express your opinion more public restrooms, free public showers, housing assistance, jobs, and oh yes, perhaps a littel compassion are needed. You actually make me physically ill with your heartlessness. Shame on you!

Alison Adams

homeless : 6/28/2009

may start by demanding less be spent on crime, weapons etc....and switch spending to take care of our problems at home , not in iraq-iran-afgan yada yada...WE HAVE ISSUES HERE THAT NEED OUR FULL ATTENTION.

I AM A GENIUS

: 6/29/2009

F0R REAL SOLUTIONS ON THE HOMELESS, PLEASE CHECK OUT CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE, JUSTIN TEVIS', WEBSITE. WWW.VOTETEVIS.COM HE HAS MULTIPLE PAPERS PUBLISHED ON HOW OUR CITY COUNCIL SHOULD HANDLE THIS ISSUE.

WHO IS JUSTIN TEVIS

WWW.VOTETEVIS.COM : 6/29/2009

THIS GUY WILL LAY DOWN THE LAW ON THE HOMELESS.

RETRO SANTA BARBARA - NOT IN OUR TOWN!

Knife? : 6/29/2009

Is it illegal to kill homeless people?

Guest

Guaranteed : 6/30/2009

The ones on their high horses dissing Gina here are the same ones that walk or drive by the homeless everyday and never lift a finger to help or even make eye contact or utter a word of encouragement, otherwise there would be no homeless.

Santa Barbara Homeless. : 11/29/2009

Yes, what a pain for those blessed with sanity to have to put up with these disgusting, suffering souls breathing our fine Santa Barbara air. Let them stumble to some other town.
Amazing - not one thought did you express regarding possible ideas for helping anyone.
One word for you: Karma.

Stop enabling : 11/29/2009

It's time to stop enabling alcoholics and drug addicts. We need mandatory drug testing before allowing social services (including welfare) to vagrants. If they are interested in working they will stay clean if not they will move on to a more liberal city or get help here.

SB Citizen

Agree : 11/30/2009

For once I agree with this "air head" columnist. After I read the article and saw the author I cringed at myself. Funny.

SV

Who are the true eye sores? : 11/30/2009

Frankly as a life long local, I find the tourist in the sun dress to be the true eye sore. I won't deny the money that these tourists bring to the town. But we get over run with these poeple every year. I personally have never had any real problem with any of the homeless. On the flip side, I have had problems with rude tourists. They walk around as if they own the town, they ride around on those ridiculous four seater bikes and block traffic. They getr drunk after hours and start fights at the bars (that's not to say locals don't). The article didn't ring so much with mean spirit as it did of an elitest and ignorant point of view. We live in one of the most temperate climates that one could want. It shouldn't suprise anyone that himeless people would prefer to be here as opposed to say Cleveland. If you're going to be homeless, maine as well be homeless in warm weather.

Me in SB

Real Story... : 11/30/2009

There is a very small percentage of "homeless" in our county and a very large percentage of "bums"... 18% of ALL the housing in the City of Santa Barbara is subsidized. I'm sure with Helene Schnieder as our Mayor, the 18% will grow considerably. Santa Barbara has become a sancutary for "bums" from across the United States- It's no wonder, look outside at our weather,look at how many "homeless enabling" programs we have in our community. Meanwhile, the City of Santa Barbara's tax base DEPENDS on the tourist dollars and bed tax to survive; yet those same tourists who come here to spend get bums in there face begging for money. From the first stop signal at the base of our off-ramps on the 101 to when they are walking up and down State St.
The issue is there are TWO business' that thrive in Santa Barbara; The "Homeless Industry" (it employs hundreds if not a 1,000+ countywide) which DRAINS the taxpayer funds, and the "Tourist Industry" , which actually PRODUCES money for the City and County... The choice seems clear to me- let's stop continuing to be the homeless MECCA.
Real world

REPEAT ARTICLE : 11/30/2009

Hey, this article was printed many months ago. Is The Daily Sound just trying to stir up some horse apples because they've got no other controversial news? Come on. Don't rerun this crappy article.

Relavent subject... : 12/1/2009

Obviously, this article and issue is one that we deal with everyday in Santa Barbara; It is under the" most talked about story..." The people of Santa Barbara are sick and tired of the bum invasion as it's effecting our tourist industry and residents daily lives.
Maybe the above poster would like to take some of these guys into his house or backyard.

: 12/1/2009

Homelessness is a very difficult issue to deal with. At first glace, many homeless appear to be an eyesore, they smell bad, and they can be intimidating or offensive. Others are kind and grateful for any help they receive.
I have virtually no knowledge of how one becomes homeless, but I do know that most of us are only a paycheck or two away from being homeless. I am a student at UCSB, and I am in debt. My family and I have taken out loans to make it possible for me to attend college. I am very lucky to be able to go to college.
There was a day when I was leaving downtown SB from my job to go home to IV when a homeless man my age asked me for money. I just paid my rent and I literally had 12 cents in my bank account. At home, I had half a cup of rice and a box of cereal that I could eat. I was infuriated (probably mostly because I was very hungry and irritable) by the man. Here I am, working as hard as I possibly can at two jobs and going to school full time. I keep my nose clean and make damn sure that I do not ever get arrested. I don't know his story, but it appears that he sits around on State Street with a cardboard sign that reads, "Just wanna get high."
Although it would be very easy to vilify a person like this, I realize that would be a waste of time and would not help the situation. I have since been to Casa Esperanza and a "Food Not Bombs" gathering in Isla Vista to try and learn about homelessness. I still don't understand why people are homeless, but I do know that it is absolutely wrong to vilify those that are different and less fortunate.

UCSB Student

To the UCSB student : 12/1/2009

I don't think anyone on these posts isn't willing to lend help or empathy to those who are in dire straits that are from our county and have lost a local job or income. The issue here in Santa Barbara, is that the local taxpayers are no longer willing to deal with the influx of bums (those that are choosing the "suburban outdoor lifestyle") from out of the area. Next time you go to Casa Esparanza, ask where their "clients" are from... They come from ALL over the U.S. as SB has become a destination due to all the enabling programs we have built over the years. I would venture to guess that your hometown doesn't have as high a % of indigents as we do here in SB. Unfortunately, own fair town's "industry" is tourism... This tourist industry is being impacted by all the homeless (bums) begging for money, drinking and urinating around the downtown area or anywhere else the City has provide "chronic homeless housing"... Just look at the area around Carrillo and Castillo where our soon to be Mayor takes pride in the fact she built a chronic homeless housing complex; Now all their BUM friends congregate around the area drinking and panhandling... Prior to the homeless condo being built , they weren't there! That just proves that if you build it, they will come! Good luck with your studies.

Homeless defined : 12/2/2009

Those that are homeless but want to recover should be given the priority assistance. Those who want to get drunk until they loose control of bodily functions are another story. Either way, the citizens of Santa Barbara are the one's paying the homeless' bill and should have more say in how this is handled.
Our beautiful city and great climate combined with a bunch of 'progressive' politicians who place no accountability on the homeless are the problem. I'd like to get drunk and sleep on the beach- but guess what? I would be the one getting the ticket! Tourists from around the world stop at the foot of the warf and are greeting by drunken transients urinating on the palm trees! Nice work city council!
We are a community first and foremost of citizens who lead productive lives. We have somehow put the needs of the homeless before those who lead productive lives. When will we be able to walk downtown without having to smell urine and be accosted by transients?

Santa Barbara Native tired of the nonsense!

Not transient : 12/3/2009

To the poster above. Liked your post and I understand what you meant and I am not trying to be ticky tack with what you say but I only wish that they were "transients". That way they would be moving on. I have been in SB for 10 years now, lived all over the United States and have never seen such a concentration of bums in such a small town. Incredible that it is tolerated especially in a town whose only industry of any significance is tourism.

SV

If you think chronic homelessness isn’t a dire problem in Santa Barbara, think again : 12/4/2009

The blame for all the mentally ill people being on the streets almost always is laid on Ronald Reagan. Reagan left the White House twenty years ago and left Sacramento back in the mid 70's. SInce then, California has had a predominantly Democratic Party legislature with two Democratic Party governors as well with decades of time to restore funding to build places that can house the mentally ill.
Time to find another scapegoat.

Bill Clausen

: 12/4/2009

Homeless In Santa Barbara : 12/6/2009

Homelessness continues to be a huge problem--I would like to point out that it's MUCH more of a problem for those who are homeless than for any of the rest of us. How do we so easily forget this?? I would also like to point out that many, probably most homeless people are invisible to us, precisely because they are NOT begging, are not drunk or dirty or disorderly. Many are employed, many have families. If I were to become homeless tomorrow, which is not an unthinkable possibility, you would not notice me.
If the Daily Sound wants to pursue this important and horribly complicated subject, I think they owe it to their readers to at least write fresh copy. This is an OLD article, from February 2009, republished without any evidence that anyone at the Sound has given the subject a moment's further thought. And it wasn't much of an article to begin with--surely the kind of exaggeration
that Ms Perry repeatedly employs ( really? you won't go downtown anymore? . . .) is not what we can really consider responsible journalism

Ellen

Distinction Must be Made... : 12/6/2009

There MUST be some distinction made between the "homeless" and the "bums"... There should also be clarification on where these individuals are from. Fact is, most are NOT from SB county or even California.
Santa Barbara City / County have untold millions of local taxpayer dollars, each year, going to pay for all the social services paid; From ambulance rides, ER visits, jail booking fees, "chronic homeless housing", as well as subsidized housing. I'm not even mentioning the tourists who no longer choose to spend weekends in Santa Barbara due to the pro homeless/bum environment we have created here.
Being politcally correct in a story on this extremely important local issue is not doing anyone any favors... Sorry if all the city and county employees who depend on the homeless industry being here-Something has to be done!

Agree with homeless/bum distinction : 12/7/2009

I absolutely agree about the need to be distinct when talking about homeless vs bum. I used the term "bum" in my above posts with that distinction in mind. I am very empathetic to those who are legitimately "homeless" but very much less so to the "bums" who loiter around and are unwilling to take advantage of services offered to them by we tax payers that would enable them to find a way out of their plight. It is also unfortunate for our local businesses who must suffer from the vagrants who loiter all day on their property and drive away their business. I won't even go to 7 11 on Castillo and Mont. any more. Also the "76" on Milpas and Cacique. Its too bad for these businesses who must suffer.

SV

I agree : 12/7/2009

I agree with you. Every time I go to wash and vacuum my car at the self-serve car wash on Montecito I am "accosted" by "bums" wanting money. There is one particular lady who has scared me several times (at least 3) by approaching me suddenly while I am vacuuming. I really dread going there anymore and I hate to be rude to these people. I do consider other places and probably will stop going there.

Jennifer L.