Santa Ana Homeless

George Will’s May 7 column (“A Loss for Advocates of Public Disorder,” referring to the state Supreme Court’s decision confirming Santa Ana’s use of a camping ordinance against the homeless) is typical of the mean-spirited responses of the privileged versus the have-nots. It offers sympathy and insight only for the law-and-order, I’ve-got-mine world.

For two years I have endured the City Council sessions dealing with the homeless. Yes, they are sometimes druggy, dirty and petty-lawless. But the majority are rather desperate victims of society’s downsizing, not willing dropouts. And they have nowhere to go. That’s the truth that Will misses or ignores. The Santa Ana council has heard incredibly humane and balanced pleas from the caring community. The council majority offers no alternatives but only repeats the “it’s bad for business” shibboleths that evidently put them in office.

ROBERT J. BROPHY

Los Alamitos