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Help the Homeless in Venice, Don't Cuff Them
  1. Signatures
    285 out of 500
    Petitioning
    1. Mayor (+ 2 others)
      Petitioning
      close
      • Mayor (Antonio Villariagosa)
      • Councilman (Bill Rosendahl)
      • LAPD Captain (Jon Peters)
  2. Created By
    Jessica Rowshandel
    New York, NY
About this Petition Petition Letter

Many Venice, California residents see their street homeless and think "degenerates." These folks low on the compassion totem pole have taken their disdain a step further, going on for weeks with a letter writing campaign to ask the Mayor and Los Angeles Police Department to get rid of the Venetian "bums." And that's the kindest thing they've been called; other labels include "criminals," "crazy," "addicts" and "black guys." Very nice.

The LAPD's presence seems to have disappeared in Venice and, thus, crime has increased. Some residents have shared stories of people sleeping in their driveways, breaking into their homes, threatening their lives and the lives of their young children. These are very scary and serious issues, but the residents of Venice need to take deep breaths and think for a minute before they blame the homeless for their problems. A homeless presence does not mean danger.

Photo credit: Mark Coggin

Recent Signatures

Help the Homeless in Venice, Don't Cuff Them

Greetings,

According to some concerned and angry citizens, serious safety issues have arisen in Venice due to budget cuts to the LAPD. As a result, Venetians have reported that they have experienced unprecedented levels of violence and threats of violence. In general, crime in Venice has risen exponentially.

As a result, Venetians have attempted to reinstate safety in their community by asking that you increase police presence in Venice; however, they have targeted Venice's homeless population, making them the scapegoat for the rise in crime.

Homeless people are not necessarily dangerous, nor are they degenerates, freeloaders or bums. They are people in need of homes. Please help all of the citizens of Venice, not just the ones with homes, by allowing your police to reinstate a sense of safety for all. The Haves have a right to live safely, and the Have-Nots do as well. The homeless should not be put in a position to live in fear of persecution for being impoverished, or criminalized for being homeless. Be aware that some Venice residents have already talked about taking matters into their own hands should they not get the response they seek from you. This could lead to violent hate crimes against the homeless.

Make it a point to reinstate a police presence, and a sensitive one. You must also make it a point to provide social services and, most importantly, homes for your homeless. They are your citizens, too. You must work to end homelessness now in Venice. Give your homeless homes, not handcuffs.

[Your name]

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