Homelessness is something that affects regular citizens, businesses and the city as a whole. The fact is most of us are only a few paychecks from being homeless. In the last year I think the city has changed the way it deals with the homeless, and frankly it's done a pretty good job. The police have done more this last year than most agencies have done in the last five.
I get asked all the time what needs to happen for the homeless to go away. The answer is simply nothing — there always will be homelessness. But the boundaries we set are important.
For one, I would love to see the city do what Concord did in its downtown — no panhandling signs would be great. I get calls all the time about panhandling downtown, so I show up and eight out of 10 times the person isn't even homeless; they have an income like General Assistance or Social Security. Most people don't know this but Martinez has a few board and cares or independent living very close to downtown, even in downtown. I know people have to eat and live but panhandling is so disruptive and makes the homeless look worse than they already do. So my advice is don't give money; buy food or bus tickets. Most of the money handed out is for beer or cigarettes.
The second thing we need to do is educate business owners who leave their dumpsters open or don't have lights up. We need to educate owners on how to be a good neighbor when it comes to homeless issues. Some business owners don't mind it but their neighbor is forced to deal with it because of owners who don't mind homeless in front of their business.
Third, I think we need to educate the liquor stores on the effect of businesses in downtown continuously selling booze to the homeless. I've seen it and it does affect others when a homeless person makes two or three trips for alcohol. Cut them off for downtown's sake.
I know this sounds like I want the homeless gone, too, but what I want is for them to respect the city they live in, and to get services and off the streets. Everyone deserves a home to call their own.
Tell businesses owners you are put off the vagrants outside thier doors and you might not come back. It works! If you feel threaten call the police!!! Keep their feet moving!
Our town is being degraded! Make the drunks and vagrants feel as unwelcome as the people who come to downtown see them and don't come back as often or not at all! Understand harm is done by the "harmless drunks". Bussiness loss, property distuction, threats to police and public, bodily harm, and more. Out Reach: Do not interact with them at events it make their behavior feel accepted. When they appear unstable, drunk, drugged, ask them to walk away from the event area before caring on a conversation with they it reinforces the welcome feeling. Some of the drunks are flonting the law and are being ignored smoking at public invents while making a spectical unseamly to many. It sends the measage that they can do and act as they please with no recourse.
I do interact with them checking for alcohol or asking them not to make a seen I only interact if I m asked by the a citizen or cop If they come up to me and speak to me I offer services I don't hand out things or seek them out withmar you would Im asked and thanked for being there I do agree our officers need more tools no loitering or panhandling signs in downtown . I cant do anything about issues such as dancing or listening to music and this season there has only been one alcohol related stop and any show . any time you have a question your welcome to email me or call im even willing to have ride alongs . If i see issues with homeless that are problems I contact the police asap and im in constant contact with police at all times I think your thoughts on things in your first paragraph are a little far fetched I am out every night and see the drinking but the property destruction and harm against other citizens is at a minimum and that happens every where not just homeless . I cant do everything withmar but I will try to consider some of your thoughts one more thing I walk around with a cop so no homeless want to talk to me hardly . your more than welcome to come out with me I think you would see that my thought is if your not seeking help your a problem
There is no incentive for them leave. A new business opened this weekend and vagrants congrigated across the street from the opening event. New patrons from out of town came and what did they see right out side the main door, the vagrants. Then their scheduled meal was deliver down the street. They scurried away and came back shortly after with little respect of the those who do business where.
What as a community should we be doing now to help resolve this problem? On Monday night and this morning the small park by the Amtrak station had several homeless people drinking in a circle without the police present. I know you are taking a very active role in trying to solve this problem, you are the best informed to help deal with this problem. My question to you is what as a community should we be doing to help? Do we need to tell the City Council to pass additional ordnances and post signage as you suggested? What else needs to be done? The way that I feel is that the homeless control the problem, that is if I for instance was to start drinking in the park I of course would be arrested and booked, but of a homeless person was to be caught doing the same thing they would just at best have there booze taken away due to the cost the city would incur.