With yet another article on a city's legal issues vs. the homeless, I get even more annoyed at those who champion the cause of the homeless, while ignoring the rights of the community and business owners. The story is a familiar one and has evolved into the targeting of a law enforcement official in Los Angeles . . . a homeless man named Jimmy vs. a city attorney working for the public and businesses . . . to read about it:
http://www.laweekly.com/2009-07-30/news/jimmy-on-the-edge-of-town/
Various blogs relating to it are full of vitriol against everyone except Jimmy . . . I won't bother posting the links.
If Jimmy truly wanted to be helped he would leave the street, come into one of the Mission shelters and get help – but it is clear that the only help that is being sought is to live upon the rights and property of others. Why are those who aggressively work to get people off the streets the villains? Why can't more service providers and the so-called homeless "advocates" see that there is need for balance between quality of life issues for the whole community and allowing "freedom" for people to choose to be on the streets – where they happen to impose on the rights of business and property owners? It is governments' duty to ensure the rights and quality of life for all, and discipline those who ignore the rights of those they trample upon.
As the CEO of a Rescue Mission, I seek true reconciliation for those in need . . . not enablement to live off others and remain on the streets. Shame on those who trumpet the “rights” of homeless to ignore the law, property rights, and civic duty . . . while leaving them on the streets. Even the Good Samaritan took the man off the street. Charity without responsibility is noble but incomplete. Give people a hand up – not just a hand out.
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