The time has come for us to seek out a realistic way to manage our worsening problem of people living on the streets of our city and to do so in a manner that best serves our city’s entire population of 1.35 million. With this in mind, we propose the establishment of “Camp Hope San Diego” on city-owned land adjacent to Brown Field.
Camp Hope San Diego — the vision forward:
• No homeless camping or loitering would be allowed anywhere in the city of San Diego, except within the jurisdiction of Camp Hope — a spectacular open space setting with breathtaking views and fresh air, just 13 miles southeast of downtown.
• San Diego County, plus the other 17 cities within, are invited to partner in this effort. Doing so will prevent their jurisdictions from becoming homeless migration points.
• Camp residents can come and go as they please; there will be no fences or residency fees.
• Housing will be large military-style tenting with portable bathrooms and showers (think Stand Down), enabling the camp to quickly expand or contract based on need/weather. If preferred, individuals can pitch their own tents.
• Large tents will be provided for homeless service providers — Father Joe’s, Rescue Mission, Food Bank, Path, Catholic Charities, Veteran’s Village, God’s Extended Hand, Salvation Army, Solutions For Change, etc. — for dining, gatherings, services, etc.
• Special tents will be devoted to job training and rehabilitation, with 12-step meetings daily.
• A permanent police outpost will keep the peace, and private security will patrol 24/7.
Our homeless brothers and sisters will ultimately be better served at Camp Hope’s centralized location, as well as better protected from street predators and surrounding negative influences. Likewise, San Diego will be cleaner, safer, more hospitable, and better able to realize its full potential. Everyone wins.
To read George Mullen and Brian Castor's entire article, please click here.
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