VENTURA : Concerns Voiced Over Shelter for Mentally Ill

A plan to open a homeless shelter for the mentally ill in downtown Ventura has raised objections from a neighbor, and the City Council will discuss the issue tonight.

William Orcutt, owner of the land on Thompson Boulevard where B. J.’s Restaurant stands, says the Turning Point Foundation’s mentally ill clients should not be allowed to stay overnight. Turning Point, across the street from B. J.’s, is now a daytime center where the mentally ill drop in for food, health care and companionship. Starting this fall, Turning Point officials want to clear out one of the building’s two rooms each night to make way for roll-away beds and partitions.

The foundation has agreed to certain conditions for its nighttime shelter. Guests would spend no more than 90 nights in a row. At least two employees would be on duty at all times. Lighting would be added to the back of the building to discourage homeless people from sleeping there.

But Orcutt is worried that the proposal will lead to blight. “I just think it’s a bad idea,” he said.

Orcutt, who lives in San Diego, said he does not know of a Turning Point client doing damage to his property, although he said he has heard other neighbors complain about the mentally ill people visiting the center. “The only thing our tenant would say is that it’s scary over there,” he said.

Council members said they would wait to hear Orcutt’s concerns before stating an opinion on the Turning Point proposal. But in concept, some said, they support a shelter for the mentally ill.