New Chapter for the Rev Drake

The Rev. Wiley S. Drake’s groundbreaking for a homeless shelter at his Buena Park church represented a good compromise in a church-state drama that has drawn national attention.

Orange County continues to lack beds for its homeless population. Some cities have tried to discourage the homeless through a welter of prohibitions, including barring spending the night on public property.

Other cities have been more helpful, granting permits to organizations trying to provide quarters for those without a roof over their head. But even then, the more accommodating communities have worried about becoming magnets for the homeless. What is needed is a regional approach to the problem, with neighboring cities cooperating to help those needing assistance.

Drake allowed a number of homeless men and women to use the church’s patio and parking lot as a makeshift shelter. That prompted complaints from neighbors about the behavior of the newcomers. The city responded by citing the clergyman for violating zoning restrictions.

Some former members of the church and some operators of homeless shelters elsewhere in Orange County criticized Drake for provoking a confrontation with city officials. As the city brought the pastor to trial, Drake acknowledged enjoying the national publicity he received. But he insisted his work with the homeless was God’s work.

It took Municipal Judge Gregg L. Prickett to provide a needed cooling-off period. After a jury convicted the Southern Baptist pastor of violating zoning rules, the judge imposed a $100 fine and 1,500 hours of community service. But Prickett suspended the fine and ruled that Drake’s work with the poor already had fulfilled the community-service requirement.

Three jurors who voted to convict Drake now attend church services and showed up Sunday to watch the pastor break ground for a permanent homeless shelter that meets city regulations. The jurors showed their understanding of the case by saying that while zoning rules must be heeded, Drake’s work is valuable.

City officials who attended Sunday’s ceremony also struck the right note, extending an olive branch to the pastor. That is recognition that both sides should be able to cooperate in advancing a worthwhile cause.