CANA newsletter

Got home today after chatting with David from the Blue Ribbon committee, and at my doorstep was a very nice CANA (College Area Neighborhood Alliance) newsletter! Very well done. I had no idea it was coming out. So to whomever, thanks, and job well done.

Neighborhood Associations not so bad, right?

Nice to read about the cohesiveness with the LaLoma neighborhood association being able to work together with the Modesto Gospel mission in dealing with homeless issues. I believe it should be a model for future park issues. Model, maybe not yet, but it is getting there. What I have learned about neighborhood associations, is that you have to have a passion, a need, a desire to WANT to get things done.

I think that at times folks want to do their philanthropic duty, but their "issues" are few. Maybe it is politically inclined. Duh. I mean, for some who live in nice homes in nice areas, if a homeless person, or vagrant comes by and goes through their trash, the homeowner feels "violated". Now the world is coming to and end. "OMG, did you see that "thing" going in my trash"? "Lets get a neighborhood watch NOW because that isn't right!"

Well my home is falling apart, has no equity and my porch is sinking. Oh, and I live across the street from Enslen Park, and at times it has REAL vagrant issues. That is why I am passionate about getting things done, and not just "talk".

I have tried for many years to get neighborhood watches, or some community involvement, or attend neighborhood alliances, associations, etc. but people just complain and eventually do nothing and we go back to square one. A watch, association, or alliance or whatever needs ONE leader, not assumptions of who is "leading". Have a great day!

Graceada Park residents need to step up!

So recently the homeless activities have been toned down a bit at Enslen Park. It has come to my attention that home owners bordering Enslen Park have been fed up and the message has been delivered to the "residents". So because of this, when a "resident" decides to drink, they have taken their binge to Graceada Park because it is "easier to get away with" apparently. So when the homeless want to get their drink on, they move across the street. The phrase uttered is "nobody hassles us over here. So we respect that of the Enslen folks." Really? That is only a second hand comment, but nonetheless it explains why there have not been any issues at Enslen Park.

Common folk are just scared

As the cities "Blue Ribbon" committee gets going with homeless issues here in the city there are a couple of things to know. We all know there is much vandalism, drunkenness, drugs etc., but much of this is created by vandals, and not necessarily from the homeless.

The mainstay homeless folks at Enslen Park are not trouble makers although they do have their issues mainly just the arguing, fighting, and cussing that goes on. People that hate the "homeless haters" and those who are trying to help out just don't understand. Yes, these homeless "residents" are mostly harmless but that is because I see it everyday. Yes, they have every right to visit the park (all day? Maybe not, but..) because they lounge around all day, the families that come out just don't because they are afraid of these folks. If they knew that it is ok to do your family thing then maybe more family activities would happen. How are they to know? They just don't so the parks are over run by the homeless.

Having a central location for all the homeless to inhabit is not going to work, because most seclude themselves with like folk where they feel comfortable. Because of this they cannot all be hoarded to one central location. You can give these regulars the "Taj Mahal"but they are not going to go.

What was discussed at the committee meeting was the fact that so many "groups" often have feedings at area local parks. These homeless folks get fed. So maybe taking away all the feedings will eliminate the homeless. Maybe so, maybe not. If outside feedings are outlawed it will be difficult to police. There are so many of them. Maybe coordinating all of the groups is the best option, but it would be a difficult task to find all of these groups whether they are government funded groups, or the church groups (which there are so many of).

Homeless Blue Ribbon committee meeting

I attended the Blue Ribbon committee last night on homelessness in Modesto. I just wanted to see what is going on. At least there is some discussion and some passion, but a lot still needs to be done in coming to some solutions.

It was insightful to listen to that of Julie Hannon and Steve Lumpkin of the city Parks department. Seems as they have a good pulse on what is going on with the issues, particularly the vandalism issues.

Would have been nice to see Mike Moridian there and for Muratore to be able to stay a bit longer. Good luck to the group.