There was a fine letter to the newspaper here: http://lubbockonline.com/editorial-letters/2011-10-23/letter-solution-homeless-tent-village-zoning-sorely-needed#comment-194107
Here's my comment:
If it can be shown the city council on Thursday that crime has not increased in the area, then surely the council will see that the objections of nearby business owners are based on smoke.
There is a valid argument that the presence of Tent City reduces crime in the area.
Paul Beane is pushing for 4 walls and a roof. Well, 4 walls and a roof mean more expense, more regulation, more rules for the homeless to follow and thus more selectivity.
Even Tent City is not for everyone, and park benches downtown are occupied at night, as are sheltered spots under certain trees or against certain walls.
What is needed is a way of helping without enabling and without strings. Tent City comes close to that.
Here's my comment:
If it can be shown the city council on Thursday that crime has not increased in the area, then surely the council will see that the objections of nearby business owners are based on smoke.
There is a valid argument that the presence of Tent City reduces crime in the area.
Paul Beane is pushing for 4 walls and a roof. Well, 4 walls and a roof mean more expense, more regulation, more rules for the homeless to follow and thus more selectivity.
Even Tent City is not for everyone, and park benches downtown are occupied at night, as are sheltered spots under certain trees or against certain walls.
What is needed is a way of helping without enabling and without strings. Tent City comes close to that.
No comments:
Post a Comment