ACLU versus The City of Santa Monica on How to Treat the Homeless
The ACLU of Southern California and the law firm of Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Santa Monica for violating the constitutional rights of chronically homeless people by arresting and harassing them even though the city lacks sufficient shelter space for these homeless persons to sleep.
By Amy Sommer | July 15, 2009
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of certain homeless residents suffering from mental and physical disabilities and contends that despite its reputation as a socially progressive, liberal bastion that the homeless are harassed by SMPD regularly.
“It‟s not only illegal but callous and inhumane for any city to have its police officers cite, arrest and harass mentally ill or physically disabled homeless persons, even as it fails to provide them with sufficient shelter space. But it‟s particularly shocking and hypocritical in Santa Monica, which touts itself on its website as a „forward-thinking, caring community,‟ said Mark Rosenbaum, legal director of the ACLU/SC.
The ACLU/SC has sued two other cities -- Laguna Beach and Santa Barbara with regard to this same issue. They reached a settlement with the city of Laguna Beach last month.
Julie Rusk, the human services manager who oversees Santa Monica's homeless programs told the Sacramento Bee that, "we were taken aback and perplexed."
In the past, Santa Monica has been praised for its efforts to find permanent housing for the homeless.
What do you think?
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Comments to date: 4. Page 1 of 1. Average Rating:  Rob
Orange County | 6:20pm on Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 | Hopefully the City of SM won't wait like Laguna did until their was an attempted murder amongst the homeless to get the city to act. Disagreements on resolution will exist, of course, tho best to be in action moving to solution. Why isn't ACLU suing every coastal city where homeless reside? Why are they cherry-picking to sue cities with high visibility? Plenty of cities in SoCal have homeless issues. Does it serve ACLU purposes of publicity? fundraising? Does it serve the homeless? Hmmm. |
Mary Jo Rostien
key west fl | 6:51pm on Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 | First thing is treating the mental ill sometimes if you put your stronger hand out it will help a weaker one and please don't look at them as less human they simply need a postive people with therapy skills to pull them away from a life of drinking and using and some just need support for there mental illness they are human if you can help them help! |
Al
Santa Monica | 12:05pm on Thursday, July 16th, 2009 | What is "Sufficient shelter space"? You build space, it generates more need by attracting the needy. Kind of a vicious circle if you ask me.
My point isn't to criticize compassionate housing for the needy, but the expectation that any city can adequately house those who cannot house themselves. |
joe
santa monica | 10:22am on Thursday, July 16th, 2009 | hard call, however the first thing that needs to happen is that all the homeless who are drinking and using must stop before anything changes. there in lies the problem. i know this because i was homeless and nothing absolutely nothing changes until one stops using. you could take all the people sleeping in the park and move them to Brentwood to a wonderful place but if their still drinking it will make no difference. i wish i knew the answer |
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