HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0293.002 2012-2014 NMI/Men
/W. 7 ^ l
comments or �es�|:'.�~ �l.� ` � re. homelessness
for Hawaii County CouncU, 9AM Wedensday June r2013. HUo chambers
by Coy Harden PO Box 10285 Hilo, Occupied Hawaii 06721 808-968-8065 mhroDinterpa: np1
Thank you to Dru Kanuha tot introducing this resolution
P|easeconsiderohanging {he |astVVHEREA3thatnayohome|eoopeop|emakeshoppen» ^uoco/nrogeb!o
merely by then presence
instead how about the County has heard from numerous businesses, locals, and tounsts that shoppers
feel intimidated by and uncomfortable with homeless people who are congregating and soliciting money
onAU'iDhveinKonu.
And for BE IT RESOLVED please consider adding "...and le na|ieve|he plight of homeless citizens-
! hope this resolution wifl not lead to efforts to criminalize homelessness.
Criminalization happens when people are ticketed and arrested for things they have to do because
they're, homeless—sit on the sidewalk, sleep in a oar, or leave bags on a sidewalk while using a n*st/oom
People on probation may be iequired to leave an area. Littering ond loitering laws may be aggressively
enforced.
Honolulu has closed parks at rnght. banned enclosed tents and shopping carts in parks, and confiscated
personal possessions. Honolulu was named the number 8 "meanest city` in the U.S, four years ago, as
tar as oitmnanztna homeless people. by the National Law Ceotero: Homelessness and Poverty,
8596 of chronic homeless people have mental illness and 50�i'6 have substance-abuse problems.
[Homeless Plan, Honolulu Weekly 5-22-13]Cr|mine!|zo1mn won help them
s you Know, there are extensive ongoing efforts to reduce horreressness by nationai. state and local
entities. public and private. Hawaii s efforts include a State plan and the Hawaii Interagency Council on
Homelessness. !t'se complex problem—Hnnn|u|u Civil Beat ca}!si\ 's government issue, a business
issue. a public-health issue, a public-safety issue a cim|-iiben/es issue and asociaHustiueissue." [Hawaii
Homelessness, Civil Beat undated beer probably after 4 ;;' 1
i hope any proposal from the Mayor will take the complexity of the problem, and the ongoing efforts to
address i|, into account. I hope we fna compassionate. effective ways to reduce homelessness,
Co'
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Ref. Date JUN 0 u 1013