In Search of a Solution : Dozens Express Pity, Fury Over Santa Monica’s Homeless

Dozens of speakers, some of them outraged and some sympathetic, demanded at an emotional four-hour public hearing Tuesday night that the Santa Monica City Council find better solutions for dealing with the city’s homeless.

The council chamber was jammed and the audience spilled into the hall as more than 40 speakers talked about how vagrants are changing Santa Monica. Some called for better social services and others suggested tougher prosecution policies, but most agreed that the homeless pose a serious problem.

‘Abused, Cursed and Spat On’

“I’ve been verbally abused, cursed and spat on,” said Pamela Hansen, one of several angry residents who spoke. “The council shouldn’t be swept up in blind benevolence for these people.”

“The homeless have serious health problems,” said Mary Smith of the Venice Family Clinic, echoing the sentiments of several social workers. “These people have the right to health care, shelter, food and dignity.”

But others, including representatives from the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, the Third Street Mall, Santa Monica Place and Main Street businesses, said homeless people are causing major problems for business and tourism.

Marc Tucker, chairman of the Hotel/Motel Assn. and a chamber committee on tourism, complained about violent and unlawful vagrants.

“We’re sympathetic to the homeless,” Tucker said. “But there are predators within their community who prey on our visitors. Guests in hotels are warned not to go down to the pier or Palisades Park at night.”

Several experts testified that Santa Monica has become a magnet for the homeless. They estimated that the city’s permanent vagrant population numbers anywhere from 750 to 1,000, and that most congregate in Palisades Park, the Third Street Mall, downtown and near liquor stores.

Some people said that Santa Monica is popular with vagrants because of its beaches and parks. But Therese Andrysiak, a psychiatric nurse, said the homeless end up there because “there’s nowhere further west.”

Voted to Postpone Action

Council members questioned several speakers at length. They voted to postpone any action on the recommendations for at least two weeks. But several have said there is little they can do.

Mayor Christine E. Reed said the city has already allocated more than $500,000 for social services this year, more than any other community its size. She said the city cannot do more without the support of government agencies at the county, state and federal level.

“You’d have to call the city of Los Angeles to find a city doing more than we,” Reed said. “Everyone wants more, but I don’t think we can do it alone. The city will continue to seek solutions, but we have no plans for any major changes in what we’re already doing.”

Despite the city’s efforts, Reed said it is obvious that residents, social workers and business people are not satisfied. Reed said the “depth of feeling” expressed by the speakers was impressive.

“People are probably more concerned now than they were a year ago,” Reed said. “No one was stirring them up. These people came because they wanted to talk about their problems. The general public is frustrated.”

Complaints About Damage

Businessmen generally complained about the damage the homeless are causing to the city’s image. They suggested that the city discourage vagrants from using Palisades Park and other public places by increasing recreational activities there. They said police also should increase patrols, prosecute panhandlers and consider more undercover operations such as the one that led to more than 20 arrests of vagrants charged with serious crimes last year.

Social workers told the council that the city desperately needs a day-care center for vagrants. They estimated that as many as 25% of the homeless are children and said that most vagrants are nonviolent, adding that a small number of public drunks cause most of the problems.

Others warned of the spread of pneumonia, tuberculosis and other diseases because of inadequate medical care. They said vagrants need better job opportunities, counseling and financial benefits.

But while social workers told horror stories about the lives the homeless must lead, residents told equally disturbing tales about living with them in their midst.

Lucy LaMalley said Santa Monica has been ruined by vagrants. Fay Miles, a senior citizen, said people are afraid to use Palisades Park because of panhandlers. John Jurenka, a frequent council critic, said his 84-year-old mother had been accosted by a “bum.”

‘Why Santa Monica?’

“I keep hearing that the homeless need a place to spend the winter,” Jurenka said. “But does it have to be Santa Monica?”

Only two of the speakers identified themselves as homeless people.

Virginia Ruiz said she and her husband are not homeless by choice. She said they are unable to work because he is physically disabled and she has cancer.

Michael Jenkins, a shelter resident, said homeless people can become productive with community support. “I’m not proud that I’m homeless, but I’m not ashamed of it either because everyone needs help at some time in their lives,” Jenkins said.