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Homeless in L.A: children meet "psychotic" people on their way to school

"Children are afraid to walk to school. They tell their parents that they have to "step over needles and human waste," noted Councilman Joe Buscaino.

Homeless

(Pexels)

Published by
Verónica Silveri Pazos

Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino expressed his concern about the homelessness crisis in California. The Democrat especially highlighted the situation of children, who have to "step over needles, human waste and deal with people suffering from psychotic behavior" on their way to school.

No child in America should be afraid to walk to school, and what we have found in Los Angeles is that children are afraid. They tell their parents that they have to overlook needles, human waste, and deal with people who unfortunately suffer from psychotic behaviors, right next to their playground.

Banning tents

Buscaino championed a measure passed by the city council banning homeless people from setting up tents within 500 feet of schools and daycare centers. The plan caused an uproar and outrage among the homeless, who protested against the restrictions that will reduce the number of places where they can sleep.

The councilman pointed out that the rule is not an intolerance against homeless people, but rather a recognition of the need to "protect" the "most sensitive" or vulnerable public spaces and members in society:

So, I repeat, it is not a crime to be homeless, but these are sensitive spaces that we have to protect, the most sensitive spaces among us. Playgrounds, beaches, libraries, parks, and have some responsibility for those who are in these spaces.

More than 100,000 homeless

Although the state invested billions of dollars to alleviate homelessness, the affordability crisis and the housing market have worsened as millions of people have lost their jobs due to the pandemic and rents have skyrocketed in price.

In 2020, the Golden State had 161,000 people living on the streets, this was the last time a census of this population was conducted. As CalMatters reviews, "most researchers are not asking whether the new number of homeless will show an increase. The only question is, by how much."

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