Letter to the Editor: Clean up the encampments

Dear Editor:

It’s official. Not only has the Supreme Court ruled that it is completely legal to remove homeless encampments and not allow them to pitch a tent wherever they please, our very own Governor of California has done the same.

[Last week], he signed an executive order demanding the immediate removal of homeless encampments in the state.

It’s obvious that top federal, state, and local officials are finally realizing that this whole “we must be compassionate with the homeless” approach isn’t working. If they refuse shelter and/or services, that’s on them. You know it’s bad when even a “compassionate” liberal like Newsom signed off on something so “extreme.”

Downey officials, this means you have work to do. Gavin Newsom has ordered you to immediately expel homeless encampments with his blessings. No more letting them sprawl out in front of our parks, libraries, alleyways, parking lots, and riverbeds. Downey should lead by example. If our neighboring cities wish to allow that then so be it, but not in Downey.

I implore you to start your efforts behind Rio San Gabriel dog park and behind the Dodge/Jeep dealership in the riverbed. There you will see homeless tents, stolen merchandise, drugs, needles, remnants of illegal fireworks, and gang activity. I don’t care if the riverbed is technically federal or state property. It goes through Downey therefore it’s Downey’s problem. Deal with it.

Rob Mendoza
Downey