Coronado Hygiene & Daycare Homeless Center / Library

Comment by Chris Searles on September 30, 2010 at 10:20pm

I appreciate he way you've tried to balance out your concern with some of the real challenges of homelessness and I agree that with the trajectory of our economy and our climate that it has the possibility of being a growing issue in our community, not just our library. So, I'm wondering what our candidates for city council might have to say on the issue...

Comment by Howard Roarke on October 1, 2010 at 9:32am

Chris, thanks for the response and yes, I too would like to hear from the City Council candidates along with our Mayor and city residents. Too be very frank, I temper my "response expectations," from most because I feel that this is a topic that people in Coronado do not want to acknowledge or accept as factual. For those who might feel that the homeless at the library is not a growing issue of many consequences, I suggest that they visit our library during the day and observe for themselves and possibly, talk to a library employee (better a library "Page" vs. "Front Desk" personnel because Pages are more "in the mix") about their experiences and opinion(s).

Thanks again for the response!

Comment by Mayor Casey Tanaka on October 1, 2010 at 11:36am

When I go to the library, I do not see this problem, but I will take your advice and inquire more within. I also work with the Library's Board of Trustees and I will ask them if they have received similiar complaints.

Comment by Howard Roarke on October 1, 2010 at 11:48am

Mayor, I really appreciate your time and interest in this matter!

H.R.

Comment by Mayor Casey Tanaka on October 1, 2010 at 1:38pm

I appreciate your first person feedback Howard :-)

Comment by Pamela on October 5, 2010 at 10:09am

I also appreciate the balanced way in which you present your concerns. I go to the library occasionally during the day and have not noticed an unusual amount of homeless. There are one or two on occassion and I have never seen them do anything other than sit and talk outside, doze on a park bench nearby or sitting inside (dozing or reading). Honestly, there are a few Coronado residents I see there who might also fit this bill!

I have small children and I like to teach them to be careful but respectful of strangers and would be concerned about a run in with any stranger. I don't know what to say about your intimations that the "901 riders" would be violent towards gradeschoolers or high schoolers who go to the library after school to read or do homework. It's certainly a possibility--they could be belligerent with anyone, really-- but let's not add a patina of unfounded fear to the issues you raise, all of which are difficult problems. We have to realize that Coronado is a nice place and lots of people like to come and visit here. It's peaceful and has a wonderful community feel and we are blessed to have great resources. That and soaring desert temperatures are what bring the Zonies here every summer, too! They clog the streets and beaches with traffic, often disrespect the community rules and regulations (yielding to pedestrians or not picking up their trash) but they spend their tourist dollars.

If the people you are observing are doing anything wrong (ok, other than violence or bathing in the bathroom part--that is pretty gross), let's address them and not fan flames of fear and classism. I am interested in additional factual input on this.

Comment by Jonathan Burns on October 5, 2010 at 10:16am

There have only been a few times that I've ever seen a homeless person in the library and I think the Coronado Public Library has performed a splendid job on making sure the place is kept clean. We should all remember that any place that has foot traffic is never completely clean. Everyone who ever rests on a seat that isn't theirs should cover the furniture piece with their jacket before placing their head on the furniture itself (I have backpacked various countries so keeping clean in places of filth has become routine for me.) People should always have moisturized hand sanitizer on them whenever possible. Far too many non-homeless people DO NOT wash their hands after using the restroom on a daily basis.

I recommend Howard to find some time to take the 901 downtown (you won't have to pay a parking meter) when he has a chance to check out the San Diego Central Public Library on 820 E St. Downtown (which is across the street from the Post Office) I think he will see a Real Homeless Problem. You've got people sleeping overnight outside and loitering all day long! Outside, there are piss stains on the walls and sidewalks! They have security guards manning the inside entrance and yet the bathrooms are routinely used for bathing. The Coronado Public Library compared to other libraries has it really nice. In my opinion there is not a massive influx of homeless people commuting to Coronado (there were more homeless in Coronado during the 2008 financial crisis then there are now.) Most of the homeless are downtown - when I attend City College, I see them.

Whenever I see anyone complaining about the homeless, I never see them post any solutions to help these people they just want to bar them or forward them along. Sure, it's never our fault but it's often not their fault either. Nor am I endorsing the idea that Coronado should adopt San Diego's homeless problem.

I am curious do city-managed facilities (buildings and parks) have protocol on working with people of questionable sanitation and stability? What resources does the City of Coronado have on disposal to help people who happen to be homeless or falling into a state of homelessness? Does the Coronado Police Department have a relationship with the homeless outreach program?

Comment by Howard Roarke on October 5, 2010 at 10:55am

Jonathan -

Really appreciate your tempered sagacity in regard to this matter. I do want to state that it was not my intent to ever make what I have observed at and with the library an issue. My thought was to state in the blog for public discussion, what I have observed and not necessarily my opinion on what may or may not need to be addressed.

As for the #901, I have taken that bus route many times when I miss the ferry back to Coronado at the various times of the day and have witnessed a marked increase in the people traveling from the down SD area to the bus stop at 6th & Orange. And, if I were a homeless individual, I would probably be streaming off with the rest of them into our library vs. the downtown SD library until at least the new library opens.

A suggestion that I had stated in my original posting was that Coronado citizens should have an honest dialog/discussion with our library staff and hear from them, their observations, experiences, and feelings in regard to what if anything should be done and, at what point. Lastly, in regard to your curiosity about if other cities’ “city-managed facilities” have established protocol(s), it is my understanding that there are some that do, yet normally they "visit this matter" only after community outcry.

Comment by Councilwoman Carrie Downey on October 5, 2010 at 11:17am

Thank you so much for raising this important issue that many Coronado citizens may not have observed first hand. Mary Herron, Coronado Mayor before Mayor Smiseck, heads a group sponsored by the San Diego Grantmakers, a non-profit organization, that is working on a set of recommendations for cities, the county, and non-profits to address the growing population of homeless familes. I was asked to take part in the steering committee on behalf of Coronado and I join the bi-monthly meetings to help develop workable ideas such as connecting al the resources available for the homeless into one location or at least shared between agencies that can direct homeless people to resources. Currently many federal and state agencies don't share this information. This is in addition to the work on turning the San Diego World Trade Center into one stop place for all homeless in San Diego. They will be able to access social security, food stamps, section 8 housing info, etc. in one location. Your blog made me realize that because we are starting to see more homeless in our town it might be time to have a presentation about the City's protocal in dealing with the homeless, I.e. directing them to social services, etc. to help them find food and shelter by organizations that provide that assistance. Thank you for raising such an urgent issue.

Comment by Howard Roarke on October 5, 2010 at 3:47pm

Councilwoman Carrie –

Thank you for responding to what I feel is a very important issue, not just “our library,” yet the plight of the homeless citizenry. I also thank you, Mary Herron, and the San Diego Grantmakers for your time and efforts being put forth. The simple, yet complex concept of getting joint cooperation from federal, state, and local agencies to share critical information, develop an encompassing resource center (SD Trade Ctr. Bldg.), and cut redundancy is definitely overdue!

Some Coronado residents are not aware of the problems that exist “across the bridge” and how it truly affects us. We may be “surrounded by a moat, yet the drawbridge is down.” As you well know from your involvement, homelessness is that it is a problem for all of us.

Some of our fellow residents might not know the following facts about some of the reasons and causes for homelessness as documented by many reports and studies include:

• Unavailability of employment opportunities.
• Poverty, caused by many factors including unemployment and underemployment.
• Lack of affordable healthcare.
• War or armed conflict.
• Mental disorder, where mental health services are unavailable or difficult to access.
• Disability, especially where disability services are nonexistent or poor performing.
• Substance abuse.
• Lack of affordable housing.
• Relationship breakdown, particularly in relation to young people and their parents.
• Prison release and re-entry into society.
• Natural disaster, including but not limited to earthquakes and hurricanes.
• Mortgage foreclosures where mortgage holders see the best solution to a loan default is to take and sell the house to pay off the debt.

Please keep us posted about Grantmakers, I know there are many of us in Coronado who would be more than willing to help your group with their mission if the need or occasion arises!

Comment (keep it clean, civil and on topic)