The general consensus in Ocean Beach/Sunset Cliffs is that homelessness is worsening in the community and that any future solution must involve a hand-up, not a handout.

“It’s finally become politically correct to admit that allowing people to overdose and defecate on the streets is not an act of compassion,” said Kevin Hastings, a member of Ocean Beach Planning Board speaking for himself. “It’s overdue that we stop shielding drug addiction and criminal behavior under the guise of homeless advocacy. It harms that person. It harms the rest of the community. And it invites more crime from elsewhere.”

“There has to be a carrot and a stick,” said Denny Knox, executive director of Ocean Beach MainStreet Association, regarding confronting homelessness. “People who are on drugs, or drinking, or whatever other issues they have, they have to be persuaded to get help. If that means that they’re facing more serious consequences – so be it. All of us face consequences if we don’t act correctly. There shouldn’t be a special class of individuals who get off free.”

Ashley Bailey, strategic communications officer, public safety and homelessness for the City’s Communications Department, pointed out that “Ocean Beach has a unique situation as it relates to homelessness.”

Bailey noted there are various types of individuals who may be classified as “homeless,” that are often found in the area including those living out of their vehicles – either by choice or by circumstance, those experiencing unsheltered homelessness, and those backpacking or only in the area for a short time.

“Each of these populations requires a different solution to address (their issues),” Bailey said, pointing out that the City has been taking several steps to assist those on the streets and to provide relief to impacted communities. “The City has coordinated outreach teams working citywide daily to offer services and shelter,” she said. “San Diego Police Department’s Neighborhood Policing Division and Environmental Services Department are also working daily to address public health and safety concerns through enforcement and abatement of waste and debris.”

Added Bailey: “Homelessness is an issue that impacts all of our communities in terms of public health, safety, and overall quality of life. The City works to respond to complaints regarding homelessness via the Get It Done app or other risks to public safety as quickly as possible with available staffing. Outreach, NPD, and ESD teams have been using Get It Done data to plan their efforts in areas with a high number of reports. This helps them be more coordinated in their approach.”

“Homelessness in San Diego and Council District 2 is the top priority for Councilmember Dr. Jennifer Campbell,” said her office in a statement. “Homelessness is a complicated issue, but Campbell, Mayor Gloria, and the council are working to find homelessness solutions every day. For the first time, the city, county, and state are working together to help our unhoused neighbors. The goal is to help homeless individuals find shelter, services, and long-term housing.”

Speaking on her own behalf, Susan Winkie of OB Woman’s Club, said, “The sad truth about homelessness in Ocean Beach is that we have been forced to accept it as part of living here.” However, Winkie noted, “I am encouraged by efforts at the state and City level, especially the allocation of funds, to address the problem.”

Winkie said, however, given the complexity of the homeless issue, “It is hard to know if the new programs and services will make a meaningful difference in our community.”

For her, Winkie noted that the clusters of unhoused populations are the most troubling. “As a woman, I will cross the street to avoid walking through these mini-communities,” she said. “They are a blight on our sidewalks and cast a shadow on the charm and vibe of Ocean Beach.”

Added Winkie: “Homelessness has increased every year, and although there has been work done to address the problem (and the intent of the government is sincere) it does not appear to have made a difference for OB. As a tourist destination, the City should allocate more funds to address the problem in beach communities. The doorways of our businesses are obscured by sleeping homeless. The seawall is usually taken over. Petty theft is rampant. Our business owners have to spend additional revenue to protect their storefronts. We deserve better. And frankly, so do the unhoused.”

Added Hastings: “For some, forced intervention is the only way to remove them from their path of self-destruction. It deserves the same attention from City officials as all the outreach and housing efforts.  It’s very frustrating to support homeless housing and spending if we don’t also see progress in dealing with those who refuse help.”

Knox pointed out that “there are more (homeless) people coming (to OB) especially from outside the City.” She added, “We are seeing a lot more with mental health issues. There definitely seems to be a lot of problems associated with people who are just ‘hangout out.’”

Knox said enforcement of homeless issues has come in “spurts,” acknowledging it is well known that police have an ongoing personnel shortage. She pointed out, “There aren’t a lot of boots on the ground,” while adding that mental health professionals are now required to deal directly with the unhoused.

“I wish I had a magic wand,” said Knox adding, “We never should have allowed this (street homelessness) to happen out of wanting to do something kind for them. It just doesn’t work. Homelessness is really destroying people’s enjoyment of where they live, and their soundness of mind. People on the street feel helpless. People trying to deal with it feel helpless. That’s a very bad combination.”

THE LUCKY DUCK FOUNDATION

(Peninsula Beacon approached NBA Hall of Famer Bill Walton, an avid cyclist who has been outspoken recently criticizing the way homelessness is being handled by the City, for further comment. Walton referred us to The Lucky Duck Foundation, which answered our query as to what is being done locally by charitable organizations to address the growing issue of homelessness.)

Following is a statement by Drew Moser, executive director of The Lucky Duck Foundation:

“The Lucky Duck Foundation was formed in 2005 by Pat and Stephanie Kilkenny to raise funds and awareness for numerous charitable causes throughout San Diego. In 2016, when Pat and Stephanie noticed a growing and urgent need for leadership and action to address San Diego’s homeless crisis, San Diego Padres owner Peter Seidler and business and civic leader Dan Shea were simultaneously calling upon business leaders, politicians, philanthropists, and other stakeholders to join them in taking action to address the issue in a best-in-class, fact-based manner.

“After closely studying homelessness and collaborating with Peter and Dan, Pat and Stephanie knew the Lucky Duck Foundation could have an even greater impact if they focused the Foundation’s efforts squarely on homelessness. They decided to do so, and shortly after pivoting, the Lucky Duck Foundation purchased several large industrial tent structures to provide shelter and critical services for more than 650 individuals. And ever since, the Lucky Duck Foundation has funded, activated, and led numerous high-impact initiatives that alleviate the suffering of homelessness throughout San Diego County.”

Such initiatives include:

• Funding region-wide employment and job training opportunities across a multitude of industries including culinary training, community beautification, food rescue, trash cleanup, certificate programs, and more. All are designed to give individuals experiencing homelessness an opportunity to improve their earning power, employability, and housing.

• Providing food and water to unsheltered homeless individuals due to COVID-19 eliminating faith-based and congregate meal services. Since its launching, more than 1.4 million meals have been distributed and approximately 1,000 people per day receive food and water.

• Purchasing and distributing more than 5,000 winter coats that fold out into sleeping bags, which are made by homeless parents who are hired to do the manufacturing.

• Supporting and facilitating “Lucky Ducklings,” a youth-led movement of more than 150 high school youth committed to volunteering, designing programs, learning about philanthropy and how they can play a constructive role in alleviating the suffering of homelessness.

• Convening leadership and research professionals from San Diego’s institutions of higher learning to focus and fund those institutions to undertake meaningful and actionable research into the myriad of issues surrounding homelessness.

• Meeting weekly via the “Tuesday Group,” a group of action-oriented business and civic leaders organized by Peter Seidler and Dan Shea to determine how the private sector and philanthropy can most meaningfully accelerate change. Since forming in 2016, the Tuesday Group has not missed a weekly meeting – including all holidays, even Christmas and New Year’s Day.

• And countless other best-in-class, difference-making programs that are based on the facts, cost-effective, and help people experiencing homelessness end their homelessness.