Homeless on the Beaches

I think it is a disgrace that certain merchants, restaurateurs and property owners in Venice and Santa Monica are fighting the effort of the people and organizations trying to help the homeless. These organizations are doing now what eventually will have to be done by federal and/or state programs. We cannot let these homeless people starve.

The beach and climate that brings the homeless to Venice and Santa Monica also brings the tourists and customers on which the protesting merchants thrive.

If the merchants and/or property owners won’t help, at least let them be humane enough not to fight and harass the charities that are trying to feed and find jobs and housing for the homeless. Aid, compassion and jobs are the solutions to having the homeless leave the street. Simply forcing them to move to another community is a callous and selfish expediency.

DONNA R. SPIRA

Santa Monica