Editor: Jack Hamlin wrote this a year ago. Jack led efforts back in 2009 and 2010 to bring all sides together in a series of community forums about homelessness. Now we repost it as the attitudes he focused on have arisen once again in the seaside village.
By Jack Hamlin
Keith of OB. Photo credit: San Diego CityBeat
It is happening again. Three years ago we were able to come together as a community to try and begin to resolve the issues surrounding homelessness and the poor in Ocean Beach. I am not so naïve as to look back on that time as “Halcyon Days of Kumbaya,” in O.B. Rather it was a time during which we began to look for solutions, instead of blame and division. But we all have become complacent and are returning to the awful time of “Please Don’t Feed Our Bums.”
It was a subtle trip and that is probably why we have been caught unaware. But the haters just wait for the right opportunity to bring their vitriol back to the surface and make us a divided community once again. Much of it, however, lays firmly at the feet of the San Diego Police Department and its treatment of the homeless and poor.
During the forums three years ago, the police were not barred from participation. We who organized the forums simply requested if they did want to participate, they would have to leave their weapons outside. They refused to do so, and so with their unbending position about “officer safety,” they excluded themselves from a community process. After all, they are the police and we of the public just do not understand. We need men and women with badges and guns to tell us how we should live.
Since the forum I have observed countless incidents in which the police target the homeless and poor of Ocean Beach for no other reason than they are homeless and poor. I have taken the opportunity to talk with those confronted by the police after their contact and the reason is the similar each time, “They told us we fit the description of a guy who (fill in the blank: had a knife, robbed a liquor store, attacked a (fill in the other blank), etc. ).”
The incident which truly solidified my impression of the police attitude toward the homeless and poor occurred at a street festival a couple of years ago. In the middle of the intersection of Bacon and Newport, a drunk, shirtless member of the Hells Angels was snapping his t-shirt at women as they walked past and saying some rather horrible things. Seventy-five feet away, two police officers were busy writing up two homeless men who were sitting on the sidewalk. And when I say writing up, it was not a ticket for an infraction, but what is called a Field Interview (we call it a shakedown). I waited to see what the officers would do, but when they finished with the homeless men they walked right past the Hells Angel and did nothing. You may draw your own conclusion here.
Over the past several months I have observed an increase of police presence in O.B. This presence, however, is targeting the homeless and poor. I have seen two or more patrol cars parked in church parking lots where the poor and homeless typically congregate for meals and services, along with an increase in shake-downs and general harassment. If the slow response by the police to the beating of two homeless men earlier this week had been an isolated incident, then I would not have been so concerned. But it is a general pattern of how these weak and vulnerable members of our society are treated by the most powerful.
And now it becomes acceptable to treat the homeless and poor less than human by those slightly less powerful than the police. A few weeks ago the Peninsula Beacon printed a letter to the editor by an Ocean Beach resident who raged on with so much vitriol at the homeless and poor and those who try to help, I was surprised to see it published. The writer actually suggested the churches in the area were un-Christian because we did not take into account the concerns of the community. First of all, the letter was full of lies, and second, the Peninsula Beacon did nothing in the form of a follow-up to determine if the letter had any basis in fact. One of my co-workers wrote a rebuttal letter, but that has not been published…I was not aware the Union Tribune had acquired the Peninsula Beacon as well. Even in the OB Rag this week, one of the non-resident haters referred to these people as “packs of homeless looking folks (sic).”
The dehumanization of a segment of our society makes it much easier for the general public and law enforcement to target, harass and in the most recent case, attack and injure, with impunity.
Local church youth helping an OB homeless man.
Well the final straw for me came last Tuesday night at our bi-monthly Dinner for the Hungry and Food Distribution. Briefly, two police officers entered our church property without warrant and without invite to arrest a man who was talking too loudly. They did so on the private property, on the front steps of the church hall and according to them, to prevent “things” from escalating. They un-arrested, the falsely arrested young fellow within ten minutes, but by then many of those whom we were serving scattered and left the church property. The chilling effect on our ministry is evident by the drop in number of those whom we serve. Instead of a sanctuary and temporary relief from the street, for the police we have become the proverbial barrel in which the fish are found to shoot.
A letter has been sent to Chief Lansdowne demanding an investigation and a request for a sit down to start working together (sans guns), but as with previous requests, I am almost certain he will ignore us. I will forward the letter to the OB Rag and San Diego Free Press when the time I set for Chief Lansdowne to respond passes and he has not responded. Suffice it to say it articulates what has happened our church, a demand for an investigation and an offer to sit down and talk.
Regardless of the outcome, I will continue to serve those in need. It is what I have been called upon to do. No amount of hate or vitriol will deter me. I am, however, tired. Tired of having to defend the rights of people who are in need. Tired of having to defend my right to follow the teachings of my faith free from government intrusion. Tired of being subjected to violations of my right to engage in the practice of my faith. And just plain tired of the hate.
Those are my thoughts…I am sure you have plenty of your own.
In Peace, Jack
{ 69 comments… read them below or add one }
We don’t “hate” the homeless. We hate stepping in their piss and picking up their garbage from our doorsteps and being accosted by them for money, drugs, booze, or just for no reason at all.
Also, how stupid are you to invite people to a meeting knowing they will refuse your silly “conditions”. I don’t like guns either but we all know cops have guns. No one is going to be surprised or offended at seeing a police officer with his service weapon at his side. You are being counter-productive by insisting they leave their weapons outside, knowing full well they won’t. Frankly, you sound like a self-righteous attention whore.
Who is we? You only type for yourself. I don’t think you represent anyone, except yourself.
The author doesn’t sound very stupid at all.
Your name calling demonstrates your intelligence level, I imagine. Just like your well thought-out response to the author’s opine.
Here is some free advice: leave Ocean Beach. Immediately. And go to a part of San Diego not effected by the homeless issues. And don’t forget to write. Bye! Hurry!
Jack–So beautifully well written. It made my heart fill with sadness to hear that the San Diego police are sliding backwards to where we were three years ago…no, sorry…sliding past even THAT. Thank God for those like you who stood up and protected the young man. There is no need, and NO RIGHT for police to disturb food distribution. I have been to Oasis several times, and I will continue to go and after the crazy “rant” in that other publication that is not even worth mentioning the name of, I will give MORE MONEY when the donation bag comes around, to help support their charitable assistance to the homeless. I know your soul is tired Jack, but do not bend, do not cave…Chief Lansdowne is allowing a “police state” mentality in his rank. The people need to speak. We may need to do another public forum to attract media attention to this escalation.
Thank you Cindi…I pray a lot about these issues and I do not plan to give up anytime soon…
I am a rabid police critic, but to tell the police they can’t bring in their guns is no way to foster communication. my heart goes out to the homeless, but a solution seems unreachable. jobs, jobs, jobs is what they need. I ride around san diego on my bicycle everyday and watch the police in action, again I must say, all in all the police could be much worse. I look at their body language and they are relaxed.
the homeless always on the move, no place to rest, it is truly hell on earth for them.
I grew up in nyc and if one wants to see a disgusting bunch of characters, they should check out the nypd. it is not a police force, it is an army, 7th largest army in the world.
if you make it comfortable for the homeless they will multiply like rabbits, then business and quality of life suffers. I console myself and say it is karma. they must be suffering for a reason.
MJT–Please tell me I got this wrong….did you actually say that homelessness is caused by KARMA? Please tell me that is not what you were trying to say! No one who is homeless DESERVED to be homeless. And no one who became homeless EARNED it. There are Travelers on our streets, and homeless on our streets. And neither deserve to go hungry–whether they drink, whether they do drugs, or whether they smoke cigarettes. Try offering love and compassion, not judgement and ignorance. Value other people’s lives as much as you love your own. People like to subordinate others as you are trying to do in your statement–trying to make yourself feel better with liking fellow human beings to “rabbits” and “consoling” yourself by creating a space between what they are going thru in life, and the little things you go thru day -to-day like someone throwing litter on your lawn vs someone becoming horribly ill because their body is breaking down from lack of nutrition. If you were able to TRULY value every human being regardless of what they have done in the past, are doing in the present, and will do in the future, your opinions would help open other’s minds, rather than read like mindless dribble….
sorry cindi, but I believe all suffering is caused by karma, and for that matter, all good fortune is also caused by karma. “as ye sow so shall ye reap”
Mjt – aha, then all the opposite of “suffering” must also be caused by karma. Therefore, the very wealthy, the 1% of society who own most of the country – they must deserve it by karma also. Nice, sweet little set-up, eh?
frank, if I understand your correctly, my reply is
“it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle then for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven”
Yes, but you believe that poor deserve to be poor due to some kind of karma getting back to them. The homeless deserve to be homeless because of karma. One can continue this form of illogic: The sick deserve to be sick … the blind deserve to be … the fatherless or motherless deserve … Where does it stop mjt?
frank, I am a spiritual stumble bum trying to understand, like everyone else. being poor or rich does not determine happiness.
warren buffet and bill gates do good and are creating good karma.
the Koch bros on the other hand are not.
we have free will. we swing back and forth between darkness and light.
more people believe in reincarnation then not. this is old stuff.
yes, I believe everyone is exactly where they are supposed to be.
we are working out our karma. accept responsibility and move on.
the linear left brain has a hard time with these concepts. hey, maybe I am totally off base. each individual has to decide on their own which road to take.
You cannot have it both ways! If you believe in “karma”, that is a fatalistic view of existence in which one has no opportunity to alter events. If you believe in “free will”, the opposite is true; one has the ability to alter events. The two cannot co-exist!
Gotta admit. If the homeless were constantly littering and urinating in my yard on a regular basis then right or wrong my sympathy would to some degree shrink, regardless of the reason those individuals became homeless.
Personally, it’s not hate. I am baffled by young people covered in tattoos, with cell phone, smoking cigarettes, with a dog and in need a shower who beg for money and take the chances of living on the street….really, this is the life you choose?
Able bodied, with ability to read and write should be directed to programs that encourage them to do for themselves. If they elect a gypsy lifestyle and possibly induldge in drugs or alcohol are choices “they” make. We as a community do not have to embrace, support or feed them. We have the right to say no, not here.
There are other circumstances which lead someone to be homeless. I believe jobs are the answer. What are the churches doing other than giving a free meal and enabling them to perpetuate living on the street? I don’t know therefore; I ask the question.
I don’t dig police brutality but I do appreciated a stern attitude when it comes to laziness and lack of respect for our community and an attitude of entitlement…..nobody owes anybody anything. You have to work for it like so many of us!
Ah yes, the difference in police brutality and a “Stern attitude when it comes to laziness” is just the number of hits by the baton, taser, or young thugs boot.
Thank you for helping us better your position on this matter.
Was that 3 years ago already? geez….
Lots of complaints about the homeless population back then.From citizens and businesses. The booze ban on the beach pushed the homeless drinking into the village.
Police cracked down.The OB homeless population is significantly fewer and less aggressive than it was back then. (at least it appears that way to me.)
Police officers get shot at.Police officers have people that don’t like them.Police officers have many people in the area they have brought to jail before.Police officers have famliles they want to make it home to.I wouldn’t have left my gun outside either.
Don’t like them? Boycott them! Call Dominos pizza instead of 911 when someone is breaking in to your home.
No police officer joined the force because they wanted to deal with homeless people.It is what they are told to do by their superiors who are responding to complaints from citizens.I’m sure dealing with the same folks doing the same things time and time again gets old.Perhaps they even get mad about it sometimes. Silly human beings…….
I have heard both sides argue this issue with solid heartfelt arguments. I suggest that those who feel a calling to help the downtrodden focus on one individual at a time. Instead of handouts that keep homeless surviving but offer no long term solution, how about sponsoring a specific upstanding member of the homeless community until they can support themselves? Sadly, many of those receiving handouts are abusing alcohol/drugs and disrespecting the neighborhood while being enabled by good intentions. Many homeless in OB would make good candidates to sponsor. Among that group reside some who don’t deserve any help. I challenge those who feel the call to help to stop enabling indiscriminately and work towards a solution that benefits an individual and the community.
I have not seen that guy in the photograph, Keith, in a good few years. I hope he is well.
Ah yes, the summertime comes and the issues raises it’s head, yet again.
No cheap fix, no easy answer, grows worse yearly. The thing that gets me is how, somehow, people who live in Ocean Beach, Point Loma etc, feel they are
supposed to be isolated from a city, county, nation-wide problem. Self-entitlement at it’s finest. Pathetic. And I bet a good deal would also consider themselves religiously pious. Just my opinion.
Unfortunately it’s only going to get worse. As the homelessness is growing nation wide, so is the disdain for the less fortunate among the more fortunate. OB despite being OB is no exception. I noticed this for the short time I lived there and notice it now amongst several people I know who still live there. Not only do they have animosity towards the homeless, the have a strong hatred towards those who don’t share the same animosity. One of my colleges also still lives in OB and she carries a concealed weapon on her. Very scary stuff.
I welcome the increased police presence in OB, precisely because they are taking more of an interest in the homeless community.
As a single young woman, I often feel targeted by the homeless in Ocean Beach. As if it isn’t enough to endure crude sexual profanities as I walk by, one homeless man recently slapped my bum with a stick of beef jerky. Using the Wells Fargo ATM is very uncomfortable, as I am constantly being hit up for money by the hovering homeless. When I politely decline to give them my (limited) cash, they harass me even more, sometimes getting downright nasty.
I feel forced into this position– such behavior teaches me to fear homeless people, to stay away from them– in order to protect myself.
Last year, a neighbor discovered various “homeless” youth inhabiting the crawl space under my apartment building. That solved the mystery about why my car always smelled like pee in the morning… someone was using my tire as a urinal. When the police arrived, they found credit cards, social security cards, countless iPods, iPhones, etc. Two days later, one of the evicted individuals knocked on my door (inside a locked, gated complex) and requested his “friend’s” iPod back. I told him to check the SD Police “Lost and Found.”
Our cars are broken into so often that one local van has a piece of cardboard where the window should be that reads, “nothing left to steal.” A friend on Cape May has had her car broken into over six times in the last year.
You ask why we hate the homeless? This isn’t a question of “hate:” we just want to leave in peace and safety, sans sexual harassment or urine on my car.
If the homeless population is unhappy with the way they’re treated by the community, maybe they should treat us a little better.
“You ask why we hate the homeless? This isn’t a question of “hate:” we just want to leave in peace and safety, sans sexual harassment or urine on my car. If the homeless population is unhappy with the way they’re treated by the community, maybe they should treat us a little better.”
Amen sister! I am to the point of tears right now because I am leaving my dream house solely because I am not safe here. It is too obvious that I am a girl living alone, I am noticed and harassed. I feel like a prisoner, I can’t walk my dog outside after dark without fear of being raped or assaulted. I love the beach, I love the closeness of the OB community, I love this place in general, but the risk is simply to high for me to rationalize staying. I am heartbroken to leave but my safety comes first. I treat others with respect, kindness, and compassion regardless of their situation. My neighbors warned me that I had to be hard and essentially mean to the homeless or I would be in danger. I am sad to say they were right, I choose not to be mean or hardened but to leave.
Jack even if you did not state your name it is obvious that you are not a young woman. You state, “Unfortunately, the few who do engage in this form of anti-social behavior paint everyone who dresses down or carries a pack-bag with the same brush.” First of all “few” is a dramatic underestimation. Furthermore, I could care less about someone sitting on a wall wearing a back pack. I judge the people yelling sexually explicit threats at me, who approach me in a threatening manner, or who become verbally abusive when I refuse to give them something they might want. These are the people I paint with the same brush and that judgement is “these people can and might hurt me.”
Please let these next words resonate with you….It is much different to be a MAN in this community. If you are a single, attractive, 20 something year old girl you are reminded on a daily basis that you could be raped, assaulted, or worse. Jack, I invite you to trail me around this town for one night, a cop would need to trail as well. See how women are forced to live. I think a great next article could be the safety of women in OB or lack there of.
It’s probably not obvious but rest assured most of us males in the community will certainly have your back if we’re made aware of a serious situation happening near us. This isn’t New York City, we don’t close the blinds and look away, whether it’s a woman screaming or a neighbor’s house burning down.
I agree with this completely. Over the past few years I have noticed an increasing trend in the sexual harassment of young women by the Ocean Beach homeless population. I myself have a handful of ‘nomadic’ friends that I have welcomed into my home and to my kitchen table on several occasions. I am not anti-homeless. But – I am anti-disrespect. I was walking home in the Niagara/Narragansett alley right off Bacon a few years ago and a group of homeless youth approached me. The way they were looking at me made me uneasy but I refused to change my course out of prejudice for how someone looks. I reminded myself that despite their appearance and somewhat hostile looks, they were fellow humans, and fellow “members” of my community. One of them asked me for change, which I did not have. I responded politely and kept walking. Then another stepped in front to block me and yelled (pardon the language) “Tit Slap!” and he grabbed my breasts as I recoiled. I tried to swing to hit the man assaulting me but he pushed me backwards and ran off down Bacon with the rest of his group. Since that night I have carried a knife on my person, and have sadly had to pull it out several times in Ocean Beach. On each occasion I only drew it once a legitimate verbal threat had been made, or when my arm/wrist has been grabbed forcefully and against my will. Thankfully the presence of my small weapon has always gotten the scum to back off – but its a tragedy that I even have to carry it. I don’t feel safe in OB and that breaks my heart – because I love this town, and I love the community of upstanding peace loving citizens that abide here. I am all for a stronger police presence, but I think the change needs to be from the citizens. If someone sees something that doesn’t jive, please call the non-emergency line and report it. And if we continue to let those who harass, steal, or pollute our community feel welcome, we are doing a disservice to OB. I strongly disagree with the recent ‘ob rats’ incident in which violence was taken against homeless — but aggressive pan handling needs to be cracked down on by the SDPD and the trouble-making groups of homeless can’t feel like this is the place to get an easy meal or have a town of passive victims at their feet. I for one am no longer a passive victim, and I hope that together OB can find a solution to restore the town to a safer environment that lives up to OB’s dedication to peace, love, and community.
I am a San Diego native and I have lived in OB for the past two years and DID love it. I am moving 100% due to the hoards of homeless, pissing outside my window, sleeping in the dark areas around my house, stumbling around drunk or high and banging on my doors/trying to get into my house. I don’t feel safe in my own home. I love OB but lets be real, the homeless make many areas unsafe. I do not support brutality, hate, or lack of compassion but I should be able to feel safe within my community and home. What about actual residents rights? This article states that PD has had a larger presence recently, this is laughable to me…PD doesn’t patrol enough! This article fails to take the whole picture into account.
To Piper, OBGirl and OBecian
As for who we serve, it is not merely the homeless. We serve those in need; people who are retired living on social security, disability, and a large group of disenfranchised veterans. These people are targeted at our ministry as well as the homeless, when it comes under the interference and intrusion by the police.
As for picking one “up-stand” homeless person, I do even know how to address such an idea; would we choose who is worthy and disregard the rest. I am sorry, but that is not right or just. Our ministry is rife with accomplishments. We provide the spiritual, emotional and physical lift to those in need. I have watched a number of the souls we serve go from houseless to a home, from jobless to jobs. So we do impact a large group of the people we serve positively. For some a hand-out, for others, a leg up.
As for harassment and using private and public property as a toilet, do not let it ever be said I condone such behavior. Violation of the law has its consequences and should be enforced. Unfortunately, the few who do engage in this form of anti-social behavior paint everyone who dresses down or carries a pack-bag with the same brush. Merely sitting on the sea wall at the foot of Newport is not a crime.
A couple of years ago, and I addressed this here in this forum, I was walking on my break from the church. A fellow threw a shoulder into me and knocked me down, telling me to “get a job.” I can only think from his remark he thought homeless. I was in my cooking clothes and relatively clean. If it happens to me, it happens to others.
Rather than suggesting we pick and choose who we serve, all that I ask is that you look at each human being as an individual, and not a part of a “pack” of something less than human.
Thank you for your thoughts.
In Peace, Jack
Please forgive my typos in the last post.
It should have read, “As for picking one “up-standing” homeless person, I do not even know how to address such an idea;…”
I agree with much of what you have to say here. Helping someone get ” a leg up” and transition from homelessness is certainly admirable. I applaud your efforts there. I don’t expect you to reply immediately to my idea of focusing on individuals instead of groups. With some reflection on the comments posted here you may find the consequences of handouts outweigh the benefits. Good people are moving away or refusing to visit OB because of their experiences. Disrespectful people are moving in and talking advantage of a situation that allows them to harass and commit crimes within the shadow of the homeless community. That can’t be good for our community. I’m assuming you live in OB and know how dangerous it can feel, especially for women, in the evenings. If the people providing the services to the homeless don’t live in OB that raises a red flag in my mind. Please let us know. Ask yourself if the handouts are contributing to the problem or helping to solve it. Take some time to think about it. Have discussions and welcome alternative solutions. I’m interested in solutions that make OB a safer, more pleasant place to live for everyone and I still feel that your group needs to reevaluate its position on the “best way” to serve the community at large.
Jack,
Respectfully, do you think that someone sexually harassing a lone woman in the street is thinking of her as an “individual”? On the contrary, such behavior indicates the “less than human” attitude about women that you suggest many OB residents have towards homeless individuals.
How can you really ask us to stop judging them as a group? What would you tell your daughter, or niece? How do you suggest we protect ourselves without making such snap judgments? As Amy noted, those of us who do refrain from making such judgments often suffer as a result. Have you ever been “tit slapped”?
For the record, I think your ministry is an important social service, and I applaud you for ministering to some of the most marginalized members of our society. However, there is another portion of the OB community who also feels disenfranchised and put-upon, and who is similarly deserving of your deep compassion for humanity.
Perhaps, as someone with intimate ties to the local OB homeless population, you could think of some creative ways to decrease the “bad behavior” that so many of us detest (peeing on our stuff, hitting us up for money/getting mean when we say no, and sexual harassment). Maybe you give a talk about respecting women at your next open kitchen, and about the consequences of breaking the law (no matter how badly you have to use the facilities). Such actions would show good faith on your part towards the wider community.
If you show that YOU respect ordinary OB residents, women, and the rule of law, rather than complaining about the police and “the unfairness of it all,” perhaps the OB community would be more receptive to your comments.
–Piper
Well said.
Jack et al,
I fully appreciate the passion with which you serve your fellow human beings, regardless of economic status or position in society. This is what makes us a just and healthy community.
Your opinion matters to me and I hope those police officers who serve the greater OB community. We take policing in a democratic society seriously and welcome feedback from the community. While I may not always agree with you, I will treat you and your thoughts with seriousness and respect. If you have a specific complaint, I will investigate it thoroughly and take the appropriate action to ensure the unwarranted behavior does not happen again.
Feel free to email be directly at amills@pd.sandiego.gov I am responsible for policing in Western Division, including OB.
Andrew G. Mills
Captain
Western Division, San Diego Police Department
5215 Gaines Street
San Diego, California 92110
Desk (619) 692-4810
Thank you, Andrew, for your invitation.
I have already addressed a letter to Chief Lansdowne for his response. Hopefully, this time he will respond. You may take the initiative and advise him I welcome your collaboration in a process to start healing the community, rather than engage in division. I await his response, however, before I move in any direction on these issues.
In Peace, Jack
Bye Bye Officer! Guess the pot payoffs are better up North huh?
This issue will be moot in the future, if you believe mayor filner’s assertion that he will end homelessness in San Diego.
Not sure how much help san diego should provide to each homeless person passing through.
Two weeks ago, my wife and I went down to Lighthouse Ice Cream to treat our 2 young daughters. We were hit up no less than 8 times very intoxicated individuals and groups- twice very aggressively. This was not the first time, but it was the worst. My wife now will not go down there with our daughters anymore.
This is the situation you and your church have helped to foster. A mother afraid to go down Newport with her daughters in the middle of the day. It is unacceptable. I hold you and your church accountable.
We want our community back- the one called home for over 20 years.
You are holding a church in Ocean Beach directly accountable?
Your premise above is laughable. Not really worthy of any consideration besides ridicule.
I bet you rejoiced when they ran that old Asian woman off from Dog Beach area that used to do the feeds there.
What is laughable about Christo’s comment? That his wife doesn’t feel safe taking his daughters down to Newport? Or that the ever-permissive attitude toward debauchery and crime has allowed our town to become a beacon for transients, alienating homeowners and business owners alike?
Or should Christo just leave OB immediately like your comment to another fed-up poster.
Unfortunately it’s a very real problem. I believe his comment was intended to show that handouts only encourage certain behavior, whether you agree with them or not.
I thought it was obvious what I meant.
“I hold you and your church accountable.” . Laughable.
Jamie – your first comment above asked who the “we” were. Now, I think you’ll agree there are many “we’s.” Now, you state that because a man’s wife and kids don’t feel safe walking down Newport, he is “laughable.” I don’t know if your one of the many blissful ignorants or what, but your comments certainly suggest as much.
This is a real issue and for you to suggest otherwise is “Not really worthy of any consideration besides ridicule.” So there you go.
I wonder how safe you feel walking through an OB alley after dark? Or are you the person I have to yell at for pissing on my garage; littering on the beach; or telling some family walking down Newport “you can kick me in the nuts for a dollar” ?
Well Hobie, I am on the large side of human size, 6ft, 200 or so, and I have a certain, we will call it, an aura, about me. So although I am not “afraid”, it’s not smart for anyone in any city to walk down dark alleys alone at night.
You misunderstood my comments direction, it was not about his Newport incident, it was about his holding the church accountable.
Now, one crime I will admit to is public urination. Not on people’s garages though. And I think that is more of a planning problem. Not enough bathrooms in OB.
The Church provides an enticement for these individuals to come to OB in the form of a free handout once a week. Due to these enticements, there is a larger population of these individuals than in the rest of the city. When they ae not at the Church getting their free handout, these individuals antagonize the residents of this community. Hence, the residents of this community are being unfairly imposed upon by the actions of the Church. Therefore, the Church should be held accountable for this unfair imposition on the rest of the community.
I could understand if you don’t follow the same trail of logic. I could even be persueded to change my views if you presented a persuasive argument based on facts.
Instead, you went straight for a personal insult. At 6 foot and 200 pounds, I bet bullying has served you well.
Speaking of the Asian woman (who was not from OB at all)…. I wonder if the Church has a food handling permit for their services, as that was what caused her to cease her activities.
Thanks for the idea. I’ll have to enquire with the proper authorities.
” Due to these enticements, there is a larger population of these individuals than in the rest of the city. ”
Stop making stuff up in your head and posting it on the internet. There were 9,000 homeless people counted in San Diego. The last count in OB was less than 5% of that at BEST.
“When they ae not at the Church getting their free handout, these individuals antagonize the residents of this community. Hence, the residents of this community are being unfairly imposed upon by the actions of the Church. Therefore, the Church should be held accountable for this unfair imposition on the rest of the community.”
Ah, so the few hundred transients in this area do nothing but antagonize residents and plan their lives around this bi monthly meal at the church, oh and they never leave OB either, right? You are really grasping at straws now.
So we are to infer, before this demonic church started feeding people, this was not an issue in Ocean Beach historically? It didn’t get bad until they started the feed? Is that what you are saying?
“I could understand if you don’t follow the same trail of logic. I could even be persueded to change my views if you presented a persuasive argument based on facts. ”
By your logic ( and persuede might be your shoe style but it doesn’t mean anything) this is all the Church’s fault? That is not logic. That is you looking for the easiest thing to blame. Instead of using your brain (limited as it may be perhaps?) you simply chose the easiest, lowest hanging fruit to attack that wasn’t the homeless themselves. You attacked the people giving them food. Twice a month.
Instead, you went straight for a personal insult. At 6 foot and 200 pounds, I bet bullying has served you well.
I never personally insulted you. I said your stance on holding the church accountable for the homeless problem in OB is not worthy of any consideration besides ridicule. And I stick to that. Making assumptions about my character based on my physical size? ROFLMAO I am glad to see you don’t allow reality to color your perceptions!
And now your final gem:
“Speaking of the Asian woman (who was not from OB at all)…. I wonder if the Church has a food handling permit for their services, as that was what caused her to cease her activities. Thanks for the idea. I’ll have to enquire with the proper authorities.
Wow. Just wow. So you had to be from OB to feed homeless people in OB? The food-handling permit was a red herring. I wish you well on your witch hunt Christo. You are clearly someone lacking humility, compassion, and foresight.
But some good has come out of this. Your lameness has forced me into action! I am going to rally up some grub, some friends, and head down into OB proper this weekend and make sure that I can find and feed as many of these people you clearly hate so much. That will keep them going at least another day, so they can antagonize you more fully.
Jamie–Such a well written, well thought out response. I enjoy reading your responses, and Jack’s too. It takes just one to make a change–and that is why I am thankful for not one but TWO souls that are shining a light into the tarnish that is a sad attempt by some who fear what they don’t know, to move attention away from what is truly a life and death situation for those surviving on the street outside of four walls. And Jack–53 comments! That is almost a record-breaker! Giving you props on getting this legitimate issue back in the eyes of those who want to act (like Jamie) rather than arm-chair quarter-back the issue from their laptop.
I would like to say that I have NEVER seen the police act inappropriately with homeless people. I am grateful they are here and am grateful they respond quickly to threats.
I have frequently had to call the police because of disturbed, drunk, disorderly and trespassing homeless on my porch, walkway, and front steps and I never saw the police do anything that is harmful. Most of the time, they just tell the homeless that they are trespassing and to move it along. They do however, always ask for ID and run a check – which I’m glad they do because no one wants a felon roaming their street.
I’m indeed tired of the panhandling, excrement, graffiti and the general filth in OB but it’s not just a “homeless” issue. Many people come to OB just to party and they think we’re all “coooool” and laid back that our city puts up with the bad behavior.
OB is filled with a lot of transient people, not just homeless transient but short term tenants and visitors who F this place up more than any homeless person does. Just the other day, I saw a girl, in a nice car, throw a food wrapper out her car window like it was nothing at all to litter. I see people throwing their cig buts on the ground. I see people letting their dogs crap on the public walks and not pick it up. It really makes me want to throw rocks at them :-)
But instead of hating on the homeless or the police, may I offer a suggestion? Maybe we should ask ourselves how we can clean up our environment. When one person shows an interest in taking care of their area, more generally follow. The nicer the area, the more town pride there is. Town pride and clean streets generally leads to less people thinking they can F stuff up and get away with it.
Just my two cents.
Tracy–Loved reading your two cents! When I see someone litter, I always keep spare Dog Beach bags (for picking up poop) in my bag and sweetly ask, “Do you need a bag to pick up your mess/your dog’s mess?” Works like a charm! We need to share this method with more people….wish everyone would get into the act of questioning littering without making the subject feel we are being confrontational!
Let’s tag them and drop them off in Encinitas… kind of like the bears in Yosemite.
But seriously, this is a delicate issue. I think everyone would rather see the homeless living better lives for themselves. And nobody should have to feel intimidated and/or scared in their own community. It is really sad.
Honestly, I like the fact that OB is tolerant of many things, including the homeless and gypsy types. It makes me feel that OB has a heart. I do think that a free meal at the church(es) is a nice gesture, but it certainly attracts people to OB as well.
The challenge is finding a balance. Sadly, I don’t think there is a solution that will make everyone happy.
I’m no artist… or videographer. Still, I’ve thought that it would be nice to understand the OB homeless people via interviews and hearing their stories. Maybe someone could do a project and show it locally. It may help shed some light on the depth of the issues that they are dealing with.
I also think that for the people who have had issues in/around their property there may be some methods worth investigating to help with the issues:
1) Ask the police for suggestions on how to handle the situations
2) Ask homeless counselors how to handle the situations
3) Post neighborhood watch signs
4) Get some cheap webcams/security cams
Just because OB has a heart doesn’t mean that we want crime, threatening behavior or human waste in our neighborhoods. I think we need to make that clear.
I’d rather hear about OB youth and adults making a contribution to society, recognizing talents, achievements, kindness, etc.
Idea! If you want to understand, just go out and talk to ??? then write your comments on the OBRAG.
Hello John O.,
I want to respond to your suggestion of asking the police how to handle these situations.
When they arrived at my apartment complex to remove the homeless youth living in our crawlspace, I asked that same question.
They told me to get a gun.
–Piper
I’m sorry, I can’t let this go. It seems absurd to me that a police officer would tell you to go get a GUN to defend yourself from a homeless person. Perhaps there’s more context to the overall conversation. But I’ve had multiple conversations with law enforcement about similar issues. Their advice is ALWAYS to call them. Never have I heard them say go buy a gun. Maybe stun gun or pepper spray. But if cops are out telling every local who has an issue with homeless to arm themselves, I find that ludicrous and counter-productive. I’m not saying you’re lying. Just thinking there’s more to the story. Typically, law enforcement in large cities want less guns on the street. I would expect this advice from a rookie trying to be funny, or a cop in rural Texas who wants every person in town to have a gun because Texas.
I’m very pro gun control and haven’t owned a gun in 25 years, but would also point out she said she was in her apartment (complex) and in posts above she speaks of incidents she’s experienced including sexual harassment with physical contact and an incident with an individual coming to her door.
What she’s described amounts to a rational fear for her safety within her own home from men who might be intent on a sexual attack.
I don’t think it’s at all out of the question that someone suggests to her a firearm might be the best peace of mind available to her.
I don’t think she stated or suggested a solution to the homeless “problem” would be to walk around with a gun.
If you’re truly homeless, you must of did something so fucked up that no one’s willing to help you, no family, no friends. Kharma’s a bitch ain’t it?
Steve- many “homeless” live that lifestyle by choice. Not all, but many.
STEVE–Many homeless have family that are also in dire need of assistance, and are already stretched so thin, they are unable to help or stop homelessness from happening to their loved ones. Homelessness has nothing to do with Karma–it has everything to do with the LOAN COLLAPSE and the criminals who run those Lending Agencies and Banks who knowingly gave people who were not eligible, mortgages or car loans. It also has to do with outsourcing of American jobs to China, India, Singapore and other places where quality of the work might be poor, but Greedy American Corporations can make more off the weak. We need new jobs. We need training to allow those in industries that are hardest hit to get back into the work force in a field similar to what they were doing previously, and we need to remember to show compassion to those less fortunate as the suicide rate in America is alarming. Love thy brother as thyself Steve. Or not Steve….in which case, watch the universe give you a swift kick off your pedestal when you are not looking…oops, Karma!
I know that people have the best intentions when they give cash to homeless people, but the truth is that enables those people and keeps them from hitting rock bottom. Drug, alcohol and psychiatric issues are not resolved by giving the person money. There are much better ways to spend your $$. If you really want to help people, please consider donating to http://www.sdconnections.org/SD/index.html, http://www.alphaproject.org/ or a similar organization.
Dear Steve,
You really are very Clueless when it comes to homelessness.
Anyone can become homeless anytime. Know that. Its called Life.
Why are you using foul Languge? Your Grammar is atrocious too.Your English skills are lacking as well. You, apparently, did not have a “family” to help you learn.
Use verbs/adjetives. (look up if neccessary)
Not everyone has a family to help.
Perhaps before you belittle someone else’s grammar, you should ensure that your post isn’t riddled with misspellings and yes, incorrect grammar.
Why does it so often seem that when someone disagrees with a post around here they impugn the integrity of the poster, tell them to leave OB altogether, or simply resort to character attacks? What is it that Emerson said, “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds?”
Dear Beard,
Watch out…..Karma is coming !
My sister lives up on that hill above the mess that is Ocean Beach. She reminds me constantly that she never goes down the hill because of the homeless problem. She pays taxes in a city that will not do any thing about the problem. There are friends of hers who think the “Hippies” harken back to the days of yore. That they are part of the “Scenery” of beach life. NO THANK YOU!! I have been visiting San Diego for years and have seen a decline in the care and upkeep of the city. I never thought I would clutch my purse so tight, as to get blisters, when visiting the farmer’s market. All those horrible street urchins, grabbing at me. I don’t think that OB will ever fix the problem. The town is not dependent on tourist dollars, as mostly locals visit the stores and beach. But as the home prices sore, believe you me, new homeowners are not going to tolerate it at any level. Paying taxes on a million dollar house by the beach is one thing, having a dirty, spoiled, stinky, entitled, wanna be homeless kid piss on your lawn is another.
I was homeless in Ocean Beach in 2008 and 2009. My life was in shambles on account of my drug addiction. My father had just died and I was on the wrong end of a bad legal situation. I got off the bus from the East Coast with no money, a broken spirit, and a terrible heroin habit. I was twenty-seven years old. I was very sad and very alone.
I began to smoke meth and ran wild with it. I met some strangers who let me crash at the cubbies, down on Voltaire. After a while, the kind and giving owner of Swoozy’s took me in and would allow me to shower or eat.
Like any junkie, I would wear out my welcome. I spent many nights on the beach, or Dog Beach, or in an alley. Occasionally, I would seek refuge from the chilly night wind in a laundry room. With every passing day my sadness and hopelessness would increase. I was not living. I was merely existing. I was hungry all the time. The worst part of it all was that I wanted to stop using drugs, but I could not do it. I was baffled and crippled by drug addiction.
No matter how much of a selfish junkie I was, I did my best to be mindful of the fact that OB was not my home. I was, therefore, respectful to OB natives, visitors, and anyone with whom I came in contact. I held the door. I did not litter. I used the public bathroom in the little building with the shops next to the hostel. I never begged for change. I never panhandled. I practiced respect. I stole soap and food from Rite-aid. (I was a strung out junkie, for god’s sake!). The people of Ocean Beach could take one look at me and know, for sure, that I was homeless. The people of OB did nothing other than practice love.
More than a few strangers offered me food. They told me that they loved me, just in case I was not living myself. They told me that they would send positive energy my way. They told me that they knew I would get better soon. Even one of the cops told me that love was the answer.
I know that a lot of homeless people do careless, reckless, and disrespectful things. Most of them are suffering drug addicts or alcoholics. I do not know exactly how to handle the situation to satisfy everyone. I do know this, however, for sure:
The love from strangers in OB cured my self-hatred. I was a stranger. They treated me as they would have treated their own family members. I turned my life around. On August 2nd, I will have four years of sobriety. I can only pray that the people of Ocean Beach continue to love others as they loved me because it saved my life. It is that energy that makes OB one of the most amazing places in the universe.
BOSTON–My eyes just filled up with tears reading your post about coming to OB in 2008 homeless and strung out on drugs, and finding only WARMTH, KINDNESS and COMPASSION on the streets of OB. I originally came to OB 7 yrs ago because of these positive attributes….but the crazy, anti-compromising, lets keep building McMansions and push out all those who made this town as awesome as it once was, gun-toting, hostile against the weak and downtrodden attitude that grows with each outsider who moves into OB and Point Loma, gets REALLY OLD. It moved me to hear you were able to overcome substance abuse! I celebrate with you as most don’t make it out of addiction alive–two of my friends did not get to share a similar story to yours (both dead before 45). You clearly have a life mission that needs to be fulfilled. I send prayers and positive energy your way to accomplish those! Keep telling everyone your story! It took me many years to figure out that the power of a secret is that it increases the vice grip of shame like a noose around the neck, as you do everything possible to hide it from getting out. Boston lives in truth. And Boston’s fear, guilt, shame of how it happened and that feeling of helplessness are washed away each time the mouth opens, and the “secret” is shared. I don’t know you, but I want you to know, you are MY HERO!
In defense of guns, I never had any desire to own one–until I became permanently disabled by a violent, psychotic “closet” drug addict, when I attempted to extricate him from my life. I was once like you, Cindi. compassionate, trusting, until I found out that, quite frankly, the world is NOT a safe place, especially for a single woman living alone. And my situation is complicated by the fact that the incarcerated perpetrator’s girlfriend (an RN who robbed my house while I was hospitalized) moved a few blocks away from my home and finds it necessary to periodically harass and stalk me–for going on 20yrs, now. OF COURSE I own a gun, I worked and sacrificed for many, many years to purchase a home at the beach, even had to rent it out for 2yrs before I could afford to move in, why should *I* be run out of town by a bunch of TRASH?
Debra–That is a tough situation. Could a solution to the stalking and harassment be to break your lease or sell your home and move where you feel safer? I have learned that no matter where you live, you will like some of your neighbors, and want nothing to do with others. That’s life. But the police would tell you to move somewhere you will feel safe, before resorting to a gun. Because once you pull the trigger on someone, even if they are inside your home, you could still end up facing a trial. As for the assumption that I am an easy target, let it be known that there is no naivete here. If someone wanted to do harm unto me, they could easily kick down my front door at any time to attack me–dog or no dog, gun or no gun, man or no man on premises at the time. I refuse to live every minute of my life wondering when that time will come, when it is more likely then not I will never be attacked. I choose to not live my life with this self-created doom and gloom, fear-based story. I take offense to a fellow women making it sound like all females in OB need to live their life fearing at any moment they will be attacked, as that is just crazy. You do realize that the chances of your story happening to someone else is like 1 in 10,000? What I am trying to say is that single or not single, woman or man, young or old, you must always be a street-wise cat who is ALWAYS aware of their surroundings (even when in their own home), knows how to stay under the radar, and can figure out how to keep out of harms way….
Debra–I hope you don’t feel I sounded harsh or judgmental about your situation and why you live in fear now. I feel great compassion for what you went thru. My hope is that you can someday find a way to change the story in your head and move somewhere safe where your new story can be, “I am a survivor, a fighter and I am smarter and wiser from my life experiences so far. I will not live in fear that lightening will strike twice, because now I know how to prevent this from happening to me, and can help prevent it from happening to others by warning them.” I hope you can reach a time where you won’t need the gun nor the fear, and I pray that you can find a new home that makes you live without the burden of the past. You were saved from a near deadly relationship for a purpose, just like Boston’s life was spared from drug addiction–I hope both of you find that purpose, and accomplish your life mission and goals! Good luck to both of you!
No worries and actually it WAS the police who recommended that I purchase a firearm. Yeah, I’d LOOOVE to sell my house and move to some place safer, but being permanently disabled, I can’t afford to, as I no longer am able to work. As I already mentioned, I sacrificed for too MANY years in order to be able to buy a house at the beach and absolutely REFUSE to let a bunch of scumbags dictate my future. I don’t want to scare women either, but I’ve read on other threads about one young girl resorting to carrying a knife–another so rattled that she has to give up her “dream home” and who knows how many others? The United States of America is about FREEDOM for ALL…
Many homeless are addicts or mentally ill. Our laws prevent committing a person to an institution if they are not a danger, and once there are deemed “OK”, they cannot be held, go off their meds, and return to the street. An addict will only get clean when they want to, not when you want them to. Help can be offered, but does not have to be accepted. Some people choose to live on the street, and as much as you or I would like them to be productive members of society, they don’t want to.
I have lived in OB for 3 years.
We the People and the United States Federal Government need to take care of our own people with what’s left of our money, tax dollars and economy, STOP sending money to people and governments in other countries and stop wasting our money by invading countries under false pretenses.
Every homeless person did not become homeless because of addiction issues or mental health. I never thought “homeless” would or could happen to me but I became homeless after someone stole my identity; ruined my credit which I am still trying to recover. I still can’t pass a background check because his name is fused with mine on court documents; his lengthy criminal history shows up as being mine, too. Unable to get work for over 2 years, I had to sell everything I owned just to survive and when I had nothing left to sell, I couldn’t pay my rent, utility bills or even buy food, so I’m on the street. The man who used my identity was arrested in 2009, was convicted, sentenced to 4 years in prison and released after 15 months for “good time.”
Meanwhile… I’m still homeless, can’t get work, my credit is still shit because of all of this, I can’t even get a job interview and I have an excellent employment history, plus a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Systems Technology, a Master Degree in Legal Studies (graduated summa cum laude), post graduate work in Civil Litigation & Constitutional Law, and Certified Paralegal, and fluent in three (3) languages.
Homeless isn’t just not having a place to live. This is more difficult in ways I never would have imagined; it’s apparently illegal to sleep in the State of California but trying to find a place to take care of bodily functions is a nightmare. Everyone has to piss and poop… being homeless doesn’t change that. If ya get caught pissing behind a tree (in public) you’re arrested and charged as a sex offender. I understand businesses not wanting to allow non-customers the use of their facilities. Homeless shelters are rehab centers operated and staffed by christian churches. I’m not an addict or an alcoholic… and not being female with/without children… I’m on the street. Having to come up with a plan to be able to use the restroom… we really need to take care of our own people. Nobody chooses to be homeless!
And yes… I’ve been witness to a plethora of cops invading OB, executed as if it were a offensive military operation of which they target homeless (appearing) people exclusively, completely ignoring anyone who appears to have had a shower earlier that day or not frantically looking for a place to pee.
Being homeless sucks! And being alive is not a crime so let’s not make it one.
I will be challenging the “Stop & Frisk” and “Stop & ID” laws here in San Diego, plus Reasonable Suspicion, Probable Cause, Search & Seizure, and the illegality of targeting specific persons and/or groups, e.g., homeless.
If we surrender our civil liberties, we lose our freedom!
I guess since everyone seems to believe the answer to OB’s “homeless people” problem is to get rid of ’em by any means necessary which will eliminate the issue of trying to actually solve the problem. While we’re at it… let’s ship off all of the niggers too. They commit more crimes than anybody else; our prison population is over 50% black. After we get rid of the coloreds, we can round up all the queers and make them all go to their Mother Land; San Francisco… then we can start working on how to get rid of all the wetbacks and once that fly-ladden problem is solved… we’ll torture the Christians!
Y’all get my point? Every comment is “homeless people, crime, bitch, bitch” but not one person has even tried to suggest a solution and if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. If you want changes in your community, get off your computers and waddle your fat asses out your front door and do something… anything that’s productive. Bitching is just bitching.
Before I get any smart ass remarks about my comments;
1) I get to use the term “queer” because I am,
2) racial derogatories; I’m ½ Cracker (Swiss-Amish) and ½ Heathen (Cherokee)
3) I’m not prejudice, I make fun of everyone equally… including myself.
We’re a bunch of pussys! We’re all just sitting back and watching our nation slowly crumble away while our government officials blow all of our money. I guess we’ve made it abundantly clear that we have no intention of fighting for our freedom and that we’re OK with the elimination of our civil liberties. We don’t make anything anymore; remember “Made in USA?” I want my country back! The US/A that I know existed when I was a kid. Otherwise; Wir können genauso gut saugen einander die schwanze bevor wir sind offiziell als veraltete. Hiel, meinen Herr!
Notwithstanding the homeless, the SDPD is not alone in its treatment of anyone its individual members do not like. The homeless are just easier targets; no one really fights for them except ppl like the writer of this piece. Everyone else is too busy being self-righteous and NIMBY. The former of which these are the same folks, I’m guessing, who show up to nearly every Sunday service dressed to the nines to impress the other Christians-in-name-only show-boaters.
I live in Panama City Beach and here the cops lockem all up. Then every 2 weeks, here comes a new bunch. Most of the homeless here are over 40 with NOTHING wrong with them physically or mentally so theres no excuse. I have more respect for someone that lives in their car and goes to work everyday than a no good bum. For all the religious people out there that want to help then let the homeless cime live with you. Exactly!
I felt no fear of any less advantaged person in Ocean Beach..had to use an ATM in a lone parking lot and the small crowd gathered near there in the alley were very nice..non intimidating and actually more friendly than local shop owners and residents…However I felt as I watched for a week that there is war being waged on poor and homeless, and watching the youth who look up to police see that police treat poor and homeless like they are worthless and less than human. Then to see the youth treat these Americans as worthless. recently in Ventura Ca. youth doused gas on a homeless man and set him on fire.. Shortly after another was stabbed. Homelessness is to increase by 80 % in next five years…when it happens to you, you will then know the horrors of it all..