I know that government is slow, but in Lompoc a snail could outrun the City Council’s approach to dealing with the “homeless problem.” After ignoring it for decades, they now seem fixated on only those “camping” in the riverbed that curves around the eastern and northern parts of town.
The last riverbed clean-up cost nearly $500,000 and was deemed a success at the time. Now several camps have returned bringing the same trash and hazardous waste problems with them on a smaller scale. Unless something is done soon, it will likely return to the same condition.
The staff estimates it would take about $130,000 to clean it up again and another $300,000 annually to keep it that way.
By the way, the only successful evictions were of the bunnies and quail that were prevalent before the city clear-cut all the vegetation. And the homeless, well they just moved into town.
Council members had some suggestions on how to reduce costs: how about a private security firm to patrol the riverbed?
“Private security generally is pretty expensive, No. 1, especially to do that kind of work,” Police Chief Joe Mariani said, adding that they would be acting as city agents, so liability would exist. “This is huge problem.”
Another suggested allowing volunteers to clean-up the area. Councilwoman Gilda Cordova said, “I have a concern with having a group of citizens going down there and patrolling the riverbed,” adding it would still cost the city for training, insurance and other factors.
Councilman Jim Mosby suggested having the homeless clean-up their own mess. His idea was to “work with the homeless” by providing bathrooms, cell phone-charging stations and large dumpsters; sort of like a scaled down KOA campground.
Of course, the biggest flaw to this approach is that the homeless are an unmanageable gaggle and probably wouldn’t follow the rules.
I thought the plan was to remove these people from the riverbed, not make it easier for them to live there. Mayor Jenelle Osborne agreed saying, “I don’t want to do anything that encourages an ongoing stay.”
Most folks I talk to agree that the “homeless problem” can’t be solved; it can be managed but the city needs a coordinated plan.
I agree with the police chiefs’ statement that “We have to have housing for those folks. We’re talking about human lives. We have to have an ongoing, sustainable program to deal with the variety of needs.”
Any plan should be repeatable for everyone who is encountered, and include immediate care and transfer to a shelter where continuing mental/physical health services could be provided.
There are a lot of moving parts involved to move a homeless individual from the riverbed or street to a shelter; they involve the initial contact, preliminary medical evaluation by first responders, movement to a shelter or medical facility and eventually facilitating their access to available services.
Those who refuse to accept available beds should be arrested for illegal camping.
I don’t know who is talking to whom or if anyone is really trying to coordinate a solution to the homeless issue in town. The U.S. Supreme Court said a local government cannot deny the homeless the ability to “camp” in public spaces unless there are beds available for them.
Folks who are very familiar with the area homeless shelter tell me there are beds available every day. So, the next question is: Why aren’t those who chose not to use the available beds simply told to leave?
— Ron Fink, a Lompoc resident since 1975, is retired from the aerospace industry and has been active with Lompoc municipal government commissions and committees since 1992, including 12 years on the Lompoc Planning Commission. He is also a voting member of the Santa Barbara County Taxpayers Association. Contact him at news@noozhawk.com. Click here to read his previous columns. The opinions expressed are his own.
