We are used to David Cohen unjustifiably claiming success with the opening of the 'safe' parking site on Berryessa. To call it a success is a lie. To bring leaders from other cities and use it as a template for what they should do is disgusting to us; and everyone working, shopping and living nearby
David Cohen is not factoring in, or
regarding in any way, THE COST -not just financially, but the cost to all
the business owners, managers, employees, customers and families living
nearby. Not mentioning how the opening of this 'safe' parking site has
destroyed the safety, cleanliness and healthy culture of the area.
-Our newest, cleanest, nicest Safeway is now surrounded by homeless, drug
use, garbage -unsafe.
We recently drove by and witnessed a
dangerous fire. Not an isolated event.
We also recently learned, that we know
one of the people currently living in an RV at this Berryessa parking
site. That is, one of the people living there is a relative of a family
friend. So we directly know that this individual has destroyed any
opportunity to be taken in by family who live in California due to addictions, untrustworthy
track record, and -this person is not from San Jose.
This confirmed what we already
knew: the population is not people who are temporarily experiencing
financial hardship, and just need help finding a job -these are people
with serious addictions and criminal track records AND! San Jose,
tax payers, are paying to host people with serious addictions, criminal track
records who are not even from this area. We are inviting, welcoming and
paying for addicts and criminals from entirely different counties and states.
So, -while we can predict David
Cohen will not factor in the TRUE COST of the 'safe' parking site
We were especially disappointed to
read in Mayor Matt Mahans recent email, about 'the largest safe parking
site' -To read, that he too, is regarding it as a 'bragging'
point.
It sickens us to read this -and
to drive by and see dangerous fires; to drive by and see how the site itself is
attracting even more homeless to the area; to see the beauty, cleanliness of
our newest, nicest Safeway destroyed, to learn we are paying crazy amounts of
tax payer dollars for acres and acres of land to give to addicts and
criminals.. while letting all the local neighbors, families,
businesses, restaurants suffering, and the price they are paying, -go
entirely ignored.
It is why we continue to advocate for
Dignity Acres Emergency Campground; because we need to relocate these 'safe'
sites to the outskirts, so that everyday good, hard working, tax paying,
contributing citizens aren't forced to pay the very high price for the poor
decisions of addicts, criminals, or the high price for these very short
sighted, selfish decisions made by council members.
Do not claim this 'largest safe
parking site' as a success story. That is insulting and blatantly false.
* Dignity Acres Emergency
Campground
* Chad Bianco for
Governor of California
cc: The White House
