Kevin Dahl's "Why I voted against wash ordinance" clarified why Miramonte Park remains a homeless haven. He sees homelessness as a complex social issue. Agreed, but it can be broken down into two primary components: why an individual is homeless and where those now homeless can legally camp.
The easier component is providing City space where homeless build their shelters, keep their carts, have lavatory facilities. The harder concern is addressing an individual's mental, social, and housing needs.
The futile efforts of police and park workers to carry out current city policy is hard to watch. Chasing people and picking up their trash is endless, but solves nothing -- not for the homeless, Tucson employees, and residents who have lost the use of their public areas. With Miramonte, neighbors worked with the city for two decades, creating a cherished park. Each invested considerable monies and effort. For the past several years, homeless use has become the priority.
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Time for Mayor/Council to find homeless site solutions so neighbors get back their spaces.
Ruth Beeker
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
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