HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3CJuly 8, 2024
Dear Mayor and City Council,
A few weeks back one of the biggest decisions on homeless since the case involving Martin v.
Boise and homeless was handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court. In this ruling cities can
ban people from sleeping and camping in public places. In a dissent by Justice Sotomayor
she wrote “ The decision focused only on the needs of cities but not the most vulnerable.” She
said sleep is a biological necessity, but this decision leaves a homeless person with “an
impossible choice - either stay awake or be arrested”.
I have been thinking about the end of June 2024 ruling and Justice Sotomayer’s words “either
stay awake or be arrested”. As a society and especially a city that is welcoming to all those
that feel discrimination and a city council that rules itself as for LGBTQ+, is it not injustice to
arrest an individual purely because they are homeless? Those on council that have talked
about a woman’s reproductive rights and those that are undocumented and Palm Springs
being a sanctuary city. But again what about homeless rights? Are they not individuals that
are equal to you and your beliefs?
You have approved a 45 million dollar (plus) center for homelessness. According to the cities
press releases, this new center is to solve all the issues we have in Palm Springs. That is a lot
of money. It would make perfect sense to me that the homeless citizens have the opportunity
to go there for all services provided now and in the future. With this money spent, it would also
seem that there would not be a need to arrest individuals since the Navigation Center is for the
the homeless citizens. You have a place, now use it wisely for the cause.
The Well In The Desert has seen an increase in the number of new homeless coming to town
this year. There are approx 500 homeless on our streets and washes. There are approximately
50 new homeless a month coming to use our services. The Well served 73,516 hot nutritious
meals in Palm Springs in 2023. More than we served in any other year. We are going to
surpass that number in 2024. There are 160 families using our Saturday food distribution
program, more than in past years. The Well does what we can to help you and our community.
However, more needs to be done as more vulnerable residents come to town.
Arresting is not the answer. It creates more havoc in our justice system with fines that add up
to thousands later and then there is no hope for the homeless resident to ever get out of of this
cycle. Homeless are not a number. We know it is not an easy subject, but we have to
remember they are humans, individuals like you and me. They are also fathers, mothers,
sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, trans, gays, and from every corner of the earth. It is not easy
living on the streets and in this heat. All they want is a safe place to lay their head. Instead of
arrest, give them a hug and help them to live a more productive life. Give them your hand, tell
them you will help them. Tell them that you have there back. Change the tune. Tell them you
love them. That will go further to curb the issue than anything. The choice should not be
“either stay awake or be arrested”. Don’t arrest, give them rest!
J. Matthew Naylor
Acting President
Well In The Desert
07/09/2024
Public Comment
Item 3C
07/09/2024
Public Comment
Item 3C
From:Jeffrey Bernstein
To:City Clerk
Subject:FW: Homeless ordinance
Date:Tuesday, July 9, 2024 2:08:07 PM
Jeffrey Bernstein
Mayor
City of Palm Springs
cell: 442-305-9942
Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov
-----Original Message-----
From: FRANK KRALL <franc1836@aol.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 9, 2024 1:47 PM
To: Jeffrey Bernstein <Jeffrey.Bernstein@palmspringsca.gov>
Subject: Homeless ordinance
NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open
attachments unless you are sure the content is safe.
Hello Mayor Bernstein, Iam writing on behalf of myself & husband in SUPPORT of the ordinance you will consider
tonight. I recently retired from the Seattle area where I served as a Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for 32
years. James & I live in Palm Springs full time now. I witnessed Seattle let the homeless situation get totally out of
control & are now trying to deal with a very difficult problem. Please do not allow this to happen to our new home.
This in no way should be interpreted as opposing help for the homeless, we support these efforts, but lawlessness is
of no benefit to anyone.
Thank you,
Frank Krall
Franc1836@aol.com
Sent from my iPad
07/09/2024
Public Comment
Item 3C