The Homeless and the Police

The "Homeless and The Police" was the topic of a public forum held at the First Congregational Church in Long Beach. The church, located at 241 Cedar Street, has been in the local news lately. Reverend Jerry Stinson has opened the church doors on Sundays from 12:30PM to 4:30PM to the homeless. This drop-in center gives Long Beach's homeless population a place to sit indoors for the afternoon, watch television, read books or newspapers. They can socialize with other homeless people and the volunteers that provide services to them. Services range from being served a sandwich, fruit, cereal, snacks, other foods and drinks. The volunteers will also sew buttons or repair small tears on clothes.

The church makes it's computer room available to the homeless so they can check emails and perform job searches. During the winter of 2004-2005, the church allowed the city to use a part of the basement to locate Long Beach's winter shelter until a location could be found. The Sunday drop-in center is important to the homeless population, because many places that provide meals and services to the homeless and poor are closed on Sundays. The other reason is it gives them a few hours off the streets when they do not have to worry about getting in trouble with the local police.

The purpose of the "Homeless and The Police" forum was to provide a place where the homeless and the police could discuss issues as seen from both side of the streets. There seems to be an ongoing battle between both sides, creating a no-win situation. The forum was moderated by a representative from the National Conference for Community Justice. It was held "fish bowl" style with a group of people sitting in a circle in the middle of the room surrounded by others who attended the forum. The moderator posed questions to start a dialogue inside the fishbowl. The audience was invited to ask questions at the end of the discussion period.

Among the inner circle were two homeless people, two former homeless, two representatives from the Long Beach Police department and James Brown from the Long Beach Community Action Center, and Mary Coburn, Director of Operations for the Downtown Long Beach Association. In attendance were many homeless people, homeless advocates from the Village-Mental Health Services. City officials included Tim Reeves, the City Prosecutor and Christine F Shippey, Long Beach's City Manager, among others. The moderator stressed honesty and using "I" language, rather than either side hurling accusations at the other.

The biggest question and concern from the homeless side was never answered: "Where are the homeless people supposed to sleep?". The city side suggested that there are many services available for the homeless who want help getting off the streets. This is only partly true. Most of the discussion centered on Lincoln Park. Lincoln Park is close to the library, City Hall and a block from "downtown". Many of the homeless at the forum spend most of their days at Lincoln Park. With the exception of the First Congregational Church's Sunday program there is not a place where the homeless can go to during the day.

What is happening in Long Beach, California is happening in many cities around the country. Feeding the homeless is becoming a criminal activity. The City rep's position is that feeding homeless at the park brings more homeless to the park. Mr. Brown claims his organization brings food to places where homeless people congregate. The City wants to encourage people who want to feed homeless people to partner with other organizations, finding indoor facilities to do it. They are concerned about food contamination. The homeless pointed out that there has not been any major episode of food poisoning among the homeless population. A participant said they "don't think people should be fed in the park like a pigeon". She said the city is monitoring the feeding activity.

The homeless and the people that feel it is their moral obligation to help the poor and downtrodden feel they are being unfairly harassed by the city and it⦡mp;#128;™s law enforcement personnel. Staying in Long Beach⦡mp;#128;™s public parks after 10PM is not allowed. Without enough shelters and beds, the homeless have nowhere to sleep. Many of the homeless have been sleeping at a park located on top of the library building. Lately the police have been waking the sleeping people to give them tickets and make them leave. The First Congregational Church has been allowing these displaced homeless people to sleep on property around the church⦡mp;#128;™s buildings. The City Prosecutor recently sent a letter asking the church "abate the existing nuisance" of the homeless people sleeping there, threatening the church with a $1,000. fine for noncompliance. The police said they have to respond to citizens complaints. People who live in nearby apartment buildings complained about seeing homeless people sleeping on the sidewalks.

Other issues discussed were police profiling, sweeps, ticketing, and general mistreatment of the homeless by law enforcement agents. Police explained the reasons for their actions, stressing that all people are different and they could not speak for the actions of all LBPD officers. They pointed out homicides that have been committed at Lincoln Park and seeing a homeless woman light up a crack pipe. Their question was, "It is a public park. Shouldn't children be able to play there safely?". The homeless feel the police want to force them to leave town, or at least the downtown area. The police stated that they are there to keep the streets safe for all citizens including the homeless.

The last question the moderator asked was "What one thing will you take away today to think about that can possibly make a change?". What I took away from the "Homeless and The Police" forum, is that the homeless were more interested in hurling accusations, unable to understand things from the police side of the street. The police seemed more open to feedback for constructive change. But it is going to be business as usual. The Grand Prix is coming to town, and the streets will be "swept" of the homeless.