City Councilman Jesse Arreguin says that the defeat of Measure S at the polls last month doesn’t give Berkeley’s elected officials permission to ignore homelessness. Arreguin is proposing that the city establish a working group that would investigate the following topics:
1) The demographics and causes of homelessness
3) An assessment of potential funding needs and sources
4) Existing laws and enforcement
5) Best Practices
Arreguin said that the working group might include city staff, city commission members, homeless, police, students, business owners, and academic experts. “We are a smart and compassionate city, Arreguin said in a letter to his colleagues on the city council, who are scheduled to discuss the proposal Tuesday. “With community collaboration and some critical and creative thinking we can find solutions that make sense and reflect our values.”
What do you think? Is Arreguin on the right track?
P.S. Why do you persist in using that sexist term "councilman"? Haven't you ever heard of "council member"?
particularly the pseudo-homeless and professional panhandlers. Solution would be wonderful. I support Jesse's efforts. Tay.
His memo to Berkeley's Mayor and City Council shows how out of touch he is with the city's agencies that already deal with the funding, resources and existing laws and enforcement (i.e., the Homeless Commission, Berkeley Mental Health, Berkeley Police Department, BOCA, etc.). It also shows how sometimes well meaning council members waste more time, energy and money to find out information that already exists and is available if he just knows who and where to ask. My personal observation and experience is that so many people in Berkeley are compassionate and giving that it actually attracts housed pan-handlers from outside Berkeley as well as travelers. And many of these people take away from some of the many local people who require the attention and services that are offered.