SHEsaysWITHaSMILE.blogspot.com

DIGNITY ACRES EMERGENCY CAMPGROUND as suggested by (us!) robert & sandra

 

IMMEDIATELY SECURE  -ONE PLACE-   THAT SERVES AS AN EMERGENCY/CRISIS WAITING PLACE

      This gives first responders a secured and specific place to immediately relocate anyone and everyone who is currently -illegally- camped at/on/near our local businesses, strip plazas,   -who are currently and consistently CAUSING BUSINESSES TO CLOSE, be boarded up and attract even more illegal loiterers, toxic trash, fires, etc.

     Cost effective and efficient emergency response:  One destination for basic human dignities:  portable toilets, garbage pick up, food donation, social services out reach 

                                             We recently witnessed a person illegally camped on the sidewalk between two businesses.  This illegally camped individual, already a deterrent to any potential customers,  walked to a patch of grass near the parking lot, took off his pants and defecated on the lawn like a dog.  I can promise you that no person who witnessed this is returning to that strip plaza. This uncivilized behavior is literally killing San Jose’s small businesses.  Owners, employees and customers are currently forced to deal with the injustice which inevitably leads to their ‘permanently closed’ sign.   And whatever sad story or circumstances might predicate this illegal camping and disgusting defecation in public; there is nothing that makes it okay for this man to deter customers and destroy the health of a local business; an otherwise successful strip plaza.  

                           San Jose’s business owners are our hard working, tax paying, law abiding citizens who contribute enormously to a good culture, way of life, our best examples of democracy and opportunity. San Jose’s business owners create and offer jobs; create and offer places to shop, eat, visit, explore, experience.  San Jose’s businesses, strip plazas and malls are positive entities! They, their employees, their customers all deserve legal protection and an immediate response to their reports of illegal camping/loitering/vagrancy.      Liberating our Police to Enforce the Laws/Ordinances we already have on the books, would immediately save countless businesses, restaurants, stores; immediately save countless jobs!  Immediately save San Jose in general.

                           And  -very specifically- it is when they stopped allowing police to enforce these laws that resulted in seattle is dying.    -see documentary.

If the current pattern is left unaddressed:  We have strip plaza after strip plaza which turn into dump sites; We have very temporary ‘clean ups’ which only shuffle, relocate and further disseminate the problem.

I cannot remind enough that our ‘encampments’ [drug dealers; drug addicted; mentally ill; criminals/prematurely released inmates & those facing severe financial hardship] THIS population IS NOT A FIXED NUMBER, but an infinite population   -the more San Jose supports; the more San Jose will attract.   It is a hemorrhage.  Yet another reason an EMERGENCY CAMPGROUND, with tents/pallets, and the human dignities [portable toilets, garbage pick up, food donation, social service outreach]  is the best possible and most responsible response to the current crisis.  San Jose should dignify and deter, not enable and attract 

DIGNITY ACRES EMERGENCY CAMPGROUNDS is where first responders can legally relocate anyone illegally loitering/camping and spare San Jose the even more severe consequences of having so many businesses, restaurants, grocery stores, salons close at such a preventable and rapid rate.

We can simultaneously be working on a more comprehensive solution to all the layers of this complicated issue.   But in the meantime,

Let’s give first responders a place they can legally relocate the population currently camping on public sidewalks, camping on park benches, camping in bus stops, camping on/at/near local businesses.

      Simultaneously:  Audit every homeless services/support organization for results.  Close the ineffective; double down on the ones getting positive results.

      Simultaneously:  Improve the ‘culture’ not just the pay and benefits to attract quality police officers.  San Jose needs law and order, not more crime and chaos.   Police Officers have incrementally and systematically had their autonomy and authority removed while being demonized by the media at large.

Of course! We should immediately weed out any corruption  -But we need to invest in, believe in, support, celebrate and recognize our noble law enforcement officers for the incredible jobs they do in very hostile and high risk environments.  Safe, clean, neighborhoods; safe, clean shopping experiences, safe, clean parks and schools and libraries; safe, clean walks, hikes, bike rides.  Safety for business owners, employees, customers   -none of this happens without our officers ability to enforce laws; without their ability to prevent crimes, protect citizens and properties.   And none of this happens with an understaffed police force   -all working mandatory overtime.

      Simultaneously:  Review all the pitfalls and consequences of the unsuccessful tiny home agenda that plagues other cities and course correct.   Review, research when the USA, when Calif, when San Jose had the largest middle class; the most people safe and thriving   -When San Jose was the cleanest..   Encore & Repeat

      Simultaneously:  CLEAN!  Emergency/Task force to remove the crude, ugly, degrading gang graffiti which currently covers San Jose’s soundwalls and serves as a free ‘high crime rate’ billboard advertisement to thousands who drive our freeways daily.    Employ a strong ‘caught & consequences’ program for this very costly vandalizing of public property crime

Meanwhile, Our current myriad of long standing successful ‘homeless services’ shelter organizations, who are (and have been for years!)  ‘successfully’ helping the people they serve transition to independent (or subsidized) living     -Each success opens a spot for someone at DIGNITY ACRES EMERGENCY CAMPGROUND to move from the waiting list, to their shelter.  

Meanwhile, We need experts to triage/assess who can transition with some financial help vs. who needs a hospital/institution; vs. who needs rehab first and foremost vs. who belongs in jail for criminal activity.. etc.

The goal at all times is a safe, clean, beautiful, thriving San Jose.  Restored to its former glory! 

posted by SANDRA HARRISON KAY @ 12:46 PM