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The
Quality of LA Life - and doing something about it
All
over the world, community based policing programs take into consideration
the needs of everyone in the community, as residents take
an active role seeking to find solutions, and galvanize resources
that can make a difference, and improve the quality of life.
Some of our neediest neighbors
don't live in my neighborhood ...
and
they probably don't live in yours.
Many are huddled on the westside of downtown LA, their "shanty
town" temporary habitats adjacent to and surrounding LAPD's
Central Bureau, in skid row, near the garment and food preparation
districts.
We refer to them as "the homeless," shaking our heads
at the conditions in which they live. And we roll our widows up
as we drive on by ...
It's easy to turn our heads, easy to shrug our shoulders and say,
"Well, what can I do about it, anyway?"
But a little embarrassed part of us knows it's shameful to hide
from the desire to assist them somehow ... to be grateful and give
back. We know in our hearts they have no sense of hope, and
that without our help, these thousands, our neighbors, will continue
to lead lives of desperation ...
It's easy to think, "They simply need to be fed and clothed,
and all will be fine ...
"
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These
people of Los Angeles, these disenfranchised stakeholders, have
many needs, and their problems will not go away overnight.
The
homeless need everything ... financial support, health care,
substance abuse counseling, job skill training and opportunities
... and mainly a secure permanent shelter. |
LACP was there, and is making a documentary about the coalition's
efforts
Los Angeles Community Policing joined a group of students, politicians,
city officials, religious leaders, activists and personalities who'd
found a little something we all could do.
We showed our support of these Angelinos, our neighbors, by participating
in a half-day event, including a short 3 kilometer walk, that began
with a rally at City Hall, on Sunday, April 21.
It was designed to educate and draw attention to the needs of LA's
homeless.
LACP was there, marching in the event and covering it with our video
cameras. We are now in the process of editing a short documentary
piece.
The rally and march were an excellent backdrop to show what can
be done when a group of concerned residents from divergent communities
activate around a common cause to improve the quality of life.
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1000 STUDENT MARCH TO END HOMELESSNESS
www.1000studentmarch.org
Mission Statement
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mission, intent, and objective of the thousand-student march
was several fold: |
Foremost, is to put national focus on eradicating homelessness
in the United States by starting at Ground Zero for homelessness
in the country - Los Angeles' skid row district. |
To create a student movement that works toward helping homeless
people but, more importantly, works toward the elimination of
homelessness altogether. |
To send a message to our greater society that having homeless
people is not acceptable. The country's mood about homelessness
must shift from apathy and reluctant acceptance, to urgency
in solving this national problem. We want to be the spark that
initiates this change. |
To elevate the consciousness and fight the general lack of concern
that permeates student culture today. |
To call upon the President to join these students in their efforts
by issuing an executive order to eradicate homelessness in America
within a 10-year time frame. If the Marshall plan re-built Europe
after World War II within 10 years, surely we can solve the
homeless problem in the same time frame. If there is a will
there is a way. |
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the
successful event was held:
Sunday, April 21, 2002 - 12pm to 6pm
the rally was at Los Angeles City Hall
the march went through skid row
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