Homeless to Move Along

My only problem with this situation is they are all being lumped into the same category, as "drug using, prostitution having" individuals.

And to take their homes away from them is just going to push them on to the streets, where there's already too many of us.

Also, it shouldn't be "illegal" to sleep on one's own vehicle. Why is *that* "against the law"?

Fear breeds ignorance. Maybe if we address the problem with solution-based initiatives, instead of the "get out of our town!" mentality, maybe then we can take care of this problem.

Why does everyone think it is their right to live in an overpriced town? Isn't this why there is Lancaster or Bakersfield? For people that can not afford Santa Barbara?

Real intelligent statement there. It's not much cheaper in Bakersfield or Lancaster either.

When you're down and out where these folks are, and as I am currently, it doesn't really matter where you stay, because you can't afford anything, anyway!

This is the United States of America, where we are allowed to live any place you damn well choose, and if that means we feel like living here, we'll sure as hell live here! We shouldn't be treated like "criminals" when we are not, all of us, anyway.

Besides, have you ever been to Bakersfield?! I'm "homeless" not stupid.

Suleminagic brings up a great point. Sometimes it's hard for people to remember that we're supposed to be living in a free country.

"All right people, nothing to see here, move along" Officer Barbrady

"What are you doing?" Mall Cop

"We are coming to your fine city to dump excrement and beg and annoy people (not to be confused with people that annoy you, N*GGERS)."

"Ok, Move along!" Mall Cop

South Park fans will get the jokes, smile!

Okay El, that was funny, I like South Park as well.

You make some great points, Suleminagic.

My husband used to work in the building in the background of that picture. Unfortunately, when his company first started out there, the homelessness in the area was "legitimate"; people lived in their cars because they simply had no choice. Mental illness, job loss or other tragic circumstances.

However, about two years ago, those trailers started showing up in bigger numbers, driving the "real" homeless people out of that area. 95% of those living in their trailers or vans on that street are now selling or manufacturing meth.

There needs to be a distinction between true homelessness and true illegal and dangerous activity.

Someone who truly has nobody and noplace to go shouldn't be treated the same as someone who is making up a batch of meth in a Winnebago.

Where did Native1, get these absurd statistics? 95%?

Isn't Santa Barbara supposed to be a progressive city run by progressive folks? (Sarcasm intended) Let's see, California's legislature predominately Democratic, Mayors and city council here more to the left politically than to the right, and now a Democrat back in the White House and (I believe) a Democratic Party congress. (And of course our two Democratic state senators)

Here's the point: I'm not saying this issue would go away under Republicans, in fact, it might even be worse; what I'm saying is that for all of the left-wing politically correct hand wringing that goes on in this city and state, I don't see the homeless problem being addressed. Yes we can build shelters, but what is it about our economy that is so messed up that more and more people are homeless? (No sarcasm here, but a genuine question that hopefully can be answered by those more informed than I on this issue)

You can only feed so many cats until more and more come around. We have countless homeless shelters here, why? Because we had a horrible homeless problem. But what did opening up more room and space do? It made more people move here for the free hand outs that were from out of the area. Homelessness is a tough problem to solve. But giving more people a handout and not a help up is not the way to go. And how much responsibility do we need to shoulder for the nation’s problem? We have only so many resources.

And to Suleminagic, don't be stupid, it is a lot cheaper in Bakersfield or Lancaster, your assumption is moronic. And yes I've been to both, that is why it is cheaper living there. Do you really think people pay the same price there? Buy a clue dude.

I can afford to live here, but if I couldn't then I wouldn't live here. Kind of simple. You are free to live anywhere, but you are not free to infringe upon my right to use our streets for parking or walking without being menaced by garbage and excrement left on the ground by RV dwellers. They are a blight and when they infringe on my rights then they need to go. Why don't you see the same problem in Beverly Hills? Or even Montecito? Try Riverside, I heard housing is cheap there too.

Let me ask this question, knowing I'll probably receive the same kind words from InTheKnow that Suleminagic has in this thread: Let's assume InTheKnow is right and Bakersfield and Lancaster are cheaper to the point of actually being affordable, (actual numbers would help) isn't it possible that the same factor that drove the prices of Santa Barbara up could affect people in many more places?

Santa Barbara was once affordable, so the argument that because it has nice weather and ocean and mountains doesn't apply. Admittedly, I can't say what exactly drove the prices up here and in surrounding areas but from what I see it is getting expensive in more and more places.

What one says "it's more affordable' elsewhere, the question I have is "How much more affordable?".

Once again, insults win out over actual solutions. It's the "I got mine-screw you" mentality. I'm lucky enough to live in a home, and don't take it for granted. The mighty have fallen before.

What one says "it's more affordable' elsewhere, the question I have is "How much more affordable?".

"WHEN one says..."

No Bill you are actually one of the few coments that I enjoy reading. I know I'm brash in my comments with others, it seems that is how some repsond

To answer your question go to

http://www.bestplaces.net/COL/default.as...

For a cost of living comparison. Bakersfield is 54% cheaper than SB and housing costs 78% cheaper there. It also compares such thing as utilites and transportation costs. When a person reviews their monthly budget the biggest line item is most often their housing cost.

I do disagree with you on the affordability of SB unless you go back to the 70's. I remember in the early 90's during that bubble market and thinking how could anyone afford a $300k house in SB, if we only knew then...

To follow up on your point, if you were one of the fallen mighty would you choose to live here in you car when given the option of living in decent housing somewhere else (again Bakersfield, Lancaster, or ???)? I know I would move, it is the same reason I don't buy things I can not afford.

" do disagree with you on the affordability of SB unless you go back to the 70's."

I go back to the early 70's. The price difference between S.B. and Chicago which is where I'm from wasn't that great.

ok we disagree but what did you think about the cost of living website?

ok we disagree but what did you think about the cost of living website?

Bakersfield is much cheaper--78% cheaper according to the website for housing but still pretty expensive. (Santa Barbara and surrounding areas are simply ridiculous for costs as we know) My concern is that I see more places become increasingly expensive. Also, it appears that homelessness has become a national issue.

How many more places will become out of reach? I'm thinking about where all this is going. It's easy to say "get out of town", but how many other places will say "we don't want you here" either. Also, when you have such high prices, it causes more illegal and overcrowded renting, which concerns me. I saw it in my old neighborhood in Mission Canyon when I lived there a few years ago. Unenforced violations of zoning codes with tons of college students living there.

If you look at the trends, we are bit by bit being forces further away from the coast and my point is this: How much further will people be forced away? I know a LOT of people I grew up with here who have been forced out.

Magichardt, my "absurd statistics" was just conjecture. As is pretty much everything said in these comments.

Perhaps I need to phrase it in a way that isn't so literal for you?

Basically, what I was trying to say was that the vast, vast majority of homeless people ON THOSE TWO OR THREE INTERSECTING STREETS in the photograph are involved in the manufacture of drugs of some sort. They have all but chased out what you would call the traditional homeless, those wandering or living on those streets, again, in that particular area.

Go on down there and check it out.

Hard from Hawaii. But thanks for the offer. I know the area well and still love S.B. and Carpinteria, dearly .Thanks for the clarification!