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THERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD?

Theo DouglasWed. December 19
 

Residents worry about city plans to build a homeless center

Last night’s 8-1 Long Beach City Council vote to build a police substation at the Schroeder Hall U.S. Army Reserve Center at Willow Street and Grand Avenue, when that becomes available in 2011–and to also build a homeless services center across the street–caught locals almost completely by surprise, some audience members said as they left the meeting.

“We only found out last week that this was taking place,” said DeLyn Barclay-Bustanoby, who had just told the Council that only a chain-link fence separates her property from city-owned land where the homeless center would be built.

Barclay-Bustanoby said a folded photocopied piece of paper from the city which someone shoved under her door was the only notice she received about last night’s vote.

“The families in this area do not want a mass migration of homeless to our area,” Barclay-Bustanoby told the Council during public comment on the city’s plans. Other residents were concerned about the kids in the neighborhood.

“There is [sic] at least 24 children who live on Vernon and it is right by [their] gate,” Kristy Torres said. “I don’t think it’s a safe place for it.” Homeless advocates were just as outspoken in favor of the project, which is in the Fifth Council District.

“They are just like other people. There but for the grace of God goes any of us in this room,” said Maria Giesey, who raises funds at First Congregational Church to help the homeless. “The idea that any of the homeless are going to grab your children and run away with them is ridiculous.”

With the exception of Fourth District Councilman Patrick O’Donnell, who said he felt the neighbors needed to weigh in on the issue–and cast the lone vote against–the Council was largely in favor of the project.

“They don’t let people stay on the property. This is not a shelter,” said Fifth District Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske, whose district is home to the project. “This is a drop-in program.” Eighth District Councilwoman Rae Gabelich agreed.

“It does have to be spread around the city,” Gabelich said of homeless service centers. “It cannot just be a one-side-of-town opportunity.”

When the votes were cast, some residents left the meeting feeling stung.

“They put a spin on it to make us look bad,” said Barclay-Bustanoby, a Long Beach native and 18-year resident of the area. “We’re not against the mentally ill.” Neighbor Christi Hedden echoed Barclay’s words.

“We’re not against a facility,” Hedden said. “We just don’t think that’s the perfect place.”

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COMMENTS

  1. 1

    “We’re not against ‘the’ mentally ill.”
    “We’re not against ‘the’ Blacks.”
    “We’re not against ‘the’ Jews.”
    “We’re not against ‘the’ …”
    By the time one finishes the list, what “we” is left??

    [report]

    Posted By Harold A. Maio on December 19th, 2007 at 8:51 pm

     

  2. 2

    What is the difference between a shelter and a drop-in program?
    If it means they only stay there at night, then where do they go during the day? (Or vice versa?)
    Will Stearns Champions Park become the homeless daytime hang out that Lincoln Park is now? It’s the only park I can think of within walking distance. As a resident of this district I have some concerns about the ramifications for the area. Unlike Lincoln Park, Stearns is actually used by the community and hosts the very busy Long Beach Little League.
    Will there be some kind of program to keep these people off the streets and from wandering the neighborhood– some kind of program to educate or counsel these people and really help them to get out of the cycle of homelessness? Or are we just moving them to another part of the city away from City Hall?
    I do think it’s a far enough walk to the city center and the beach that if the homeless come over to Grand and Willow they will stay in the neighborhood, despite what Graeblich says. Hey, I have an idea, Rae, let’s put the new homeless center somewhere near Cerritos Park! Then they homeless can spend their days hanging out on Country Club Drive. After all, we should spread “it” around.

    [report]

    Posted By Jeanine Birong on December 20th, 2007 at 6:11 am

     

  3. 3

    as far as i am aware the fact that youre homeless doesnt negate your rights as a citizen, meaning “these people” have every right to be in stearns park no matter how close it is to your house, they have every right to “wander the streets” in your neighborhood and more than likely the whole center will be dedicated to “educate or counsel these people and really help them to get out of the cycle of homelessness”

    [report]

    Posted By howardx on December 20th, 2007 at 11:34 am

     

  4. 4

    If you build it, they will come. We already assist a huge transient population in this city and I am proud of out compassion. However, in terms of transient services, public and private, we bear a greater share than surrounding cities, especially those on the on the other side of the Orange Curtain. They need to recognize they are also responsible for this social issue.

    [report]

    Posted By LBfamily on December 20th, 2007 at 5:23 pm

     

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