CORRESPONDENCE - CLOSED SESSION 1b.

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Orozco, Norma From: rebecca Clifford < Sent: Monday, April 16, 2018 8:54 AM To: DOC_Chamber@cacd.uscourts.gov; eComment Subject: Concern for Homelessness in Santa Ana Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Flagged Dear Judge Carter, As a resident of Santa Ana for 31 years (I moved here when I was 9), 1 have seen this city go through many phases. Sure, we have a great deal of issues that seem to multiply the burdens our city shoulders. But at present, the issues regarding the homeless in our streets have grown to a point where we tax paying, home owning, child raising families are hurting and being suffocated with the consequences of their multiplied presence. Don't get me wrong, the homeless are in their situations for a variety of different reasons, and they NEED help/assistance. They NEED to be able to access that help more easily than it is to remain in the state they are currently in. But our shelters are OVER full, making them very difficult to regulate and maintain order. If our temporary shelters could be spread out throughout the county, no doubt, the needs of this population could more easily be assessed and given. But cramming them ALL in one city, which is one of the more disadvantaged cities in the county, is a recipe for disaster. And we are seeing this disaster all over our city. Just in the last two days, I have called the police 3 times regarding a man who tipped over a public trashcan at a bus stop and was on his knees going thru the trash, completely exposing his buttocks to everyone for an extended period of time. I was jogging and watched as a father with 2 young girls had to bike ride by this individual and people had to sit on the bus stop and endure this sight. Another woman was shouting at traffic and then abruptly decided to walk into oncoming traffic at a busy intersection. Yesterday, I opened my garage in my condo complex to get our 3 young children into our minivan, and there was a man who looked to be unconscious with his head under our dumpster, with all our complex's trash strewn about him. My kids have been in my car when I have been shouted at by homeless people for not giving them money (we are on a very tight budget and currently make a combined salary of $40,000 a year) and chased down the road by a man, shouting profanities. My oldest daughter, who is 6, asking, "What is he saying mommy, and why is he yelling?' I try to explain the homeless plight in a way they can understand and will not be frightened of them, because I hear most are harmless. But I think the harmless ones are in shelters, and those on our streets are not of a right mind and truly dangerous. My kids are now terrified of homeless people. This is not even bringing into account the bloody syringes we have found in our neighborhood park restrooms, human poop in various places, and getting approached while my daughter and I are trying to bike ride on the bike trail. And stories of a girl getting abducted by a transient, while walking to school, just a few streets away from where we live. My kids are scared. I am scared and very concerned. I used to do homeless outreach and ministries, but living in Santa Ana at present, after having the homeless population double in the past year with no hope of relief or sign of change, I have changed my views and my compassion has become reluctant. Our city council seems to be preoccupied with other matters, and our County officials don't want to "stick their necks out" to help our poor city. After all, "what is in it for them, when all the "rich" cities are going to shout at them and threaten lawsuits". I will allow our circumstances to affect the way I vote in the next election. But how will that help our city who is shouldering the weight of this I