Merchants Seek Services for Homeless Youths

Business owners on the Third Street Promenade, concerned that runaway and homeless youths are harassing patrons and littering their shopping district, have asked social agencies and city officials for help in finding services for the youths.

Santa Monica is known nationally by homeless and runaways for its temperate climate and tolerant community. The Third Street Promenade has become a main attraction for runaways.

Although police have increased enforcement of laws that prohibit aggressive panhandling, more social services are needed to address the needs of the young homeless, said Kathleen Rawson, executive director of the Bayside District Corp.

“They congregate and frankly, they trash the place,” Rawson said. “It’s despicable. There are a few who become more and more verbally abusive.”

Thirty people gathered in the Ken Edwards Center on Tuesday night for a meeting of the Bayside District Corp., a group of Promenade business owners, and the Santa Monica Social Services Commission.

“Santa Monica is a hub for homeless youths, much the way Hollywood used to be,” said Nick Taylor, risk reduction coordinator for the Los Angeles Youth Network After two hours of discussion, the group agreed to monitor a pilot program for runaway youths scheduled to begin in September at the Ocean Park Community Center. If it proves successful, the city may consider funding a drop-in center for homeless young people and outreach counselors.