Setting the Record Straight on San Francisco HomelessnessRandy Shawbyline‚ Oct. 15‚ 2007In recent weeks, the San Francisco Chronicle has invented a mythical history of San Francisco’s homeless problem. The paper’s fundamental premise---that long tolerant San Franciscans now support tough measures to remove homeless persons from city sidewalks---is contradicted by strong voter support for restricting problem street behavior since 1991. Its second claim---that conflict between homeless advocates and city leaders has forestalled a solution---ignores the long history of city leaders implementing homeless policies despite advocate opposition. Third, the paper mistakenly suggests that the Newsom Administration is shifting policy toward criminalizing homelessness, when police citations of homeless people have been a constant in the city since the Jordan Administration. And the paper’s fourth and perhaps most dishonest argument---that preventing people from lying on sidewalks will “solve” homelessness---ignores the most fundamental truth of all: society’s refusal to invest the money to provide alternatives to people living on the street, particularly the costly mental health facilities where many of those most complained about belong. |