ORANGE COUNTY PERSPECTIVE : A Break for Santa Ana Homeless

Cities are trying to figure out what to make of the recent state Supreme Court decision in favor of a broad Santa Ana law against homeless camps on public property. Needless to say, the problem of where the homeless should go remains.

Fortunately, there has been no frenzy to imitate the law elsewhere. Nor has there been any offensive against the homeless in Santa Ana. In fact, last month there was a move to avoid excess punishment; a judge and prosecutors agreed to dismiss misdemeanor charges against several dozen homeless men and women cited for camping in Santa Ana if those people promised to perform community service. A defense lawyer credited the prosecution with fostering a compassionate and innovative response.

Homeless people camping on public property do cause problems, but the punishment in such cases should not be severe. There is also a concern about the expense of prosecutions, a cost the bankrupt county can ill-afford. Additionally, scarce county jail space must be available for those charged with serious crimes.

In the case leading to the Supreme Court decision, homeless people were convicted of violating a 1992 Santa Ana ordinance barring use of sleeping bags or blankets on public property or storing personal effects there. When an appeals court struck down the ordinance, the City Council drew up a narrower law affecting just the Civic Center area. Ironically, the state Supreme Court in April upheld the original ordinance.

Enforcing laws will not get rid of the homeless. In Orange County, the number of homeless is estimated at 10,000 to 15,000, perhaps half of them children. The county has fewer than 1,000 beds for the use of such people.

Because tough enforcement of anti-homeless laws in one city may merely drive the homeless to a neighboring city, the problem cries for a regional solution. The bankruptcy is likely to make that harder.

Last week the Mental Health Assn. of Orange County announced it could no longer provide services to the mentally ill homeless because of the cost. With the county cutting back budgets, the association said it must concentrate on helping the more stable mentally ill patients, who typically have homes and families.

A coalition of groups helping the county’s less fortunate residents said last week the groups would battle to hang on to as much money as possible but that they expect to have a tough time. The kind of unpalatable choice made by the Mental Health Assn. is sadly illustrative of the difficulties the cash-starved county will face.