The Homeless Population Problem in Sacramento Rattles Land Park

Damaged vehicle on Muir Way in Land Park.

When I read about the Land Park Society in the Sacramento Bee yesterday, it seemed a bit weird to me that private citizens would need to petition the city to do its job in noticing the homeless population problem. But I suppose there are only so many police officers available to secure the streets, and to this resident, homeless people are not an extremely dangerous situation. Yet, I am not riding my bike on the American Parkway, either, so maybe I’d have a different opinion if I did. I would not want aggressive dogs directed to nip at my heels or rocks thrown at me.

I guess it’s just the “society” thing that strikes me. Although bringing awareness to the homeless population problem in Sacramento is important, the group name is peculiar. Seems secretive. Although it probably is not. The word Society sort of conjures up images of ladies in St. John knits and leopard-skin pillbox hats, white gloves. Not neighborhood activists who demand action. It seems to be too polite of a term.

I also have not viewed the photos they posted nor read their Facebook page, so I am not qualified to discuss them. Part of me questions whether photos and articles in social media is the best way to go. I will say my husband has a different point of view and feels this is a valid representation. For example, we were walking down Broadway yesterday afternoon heading over to New Canton for dim sum. For the record, the roundtrip from my house to New Canton involves 10,038 steps. Which means even though I made fun of the Fitbit in my blog about women losing weight over 50, I still don’t use a Fitbit. I used my Heart app.

On Broadway, right in front of a bunch of restaurants, a giant homeless barrier of sorts had been erected. It blocked the sidewalk. My husband nudged me and asked if I would want that across the street from me. I don’t consider myself a NIMBY. I came of age in the ’60s, remember. Live and let be. Peace out. But if I had to look at it every day from the comfort of my living room, maybe I would feel differently.

I am not a proponent of shaming people nor making fun of others, unless they are a celebrity or somebody truly despicable such as our president. We have a growing homeless population problem in Sacramento, and the focus on providing housing is a good step in the right direction. It just seems we have such an abundance of red tape, committees and lawyers to muddle through to effectively set that up in a timely enough manner.

Taking an unannounced turn here . . . what comes to mind suddenly is the Black Hand Club. This was an organization that tried to overthrow Yugoslavia and somehow ended up in Mafia channels around the turn of our previous century. My mother told me about it when I was a child. I thought it was delightful. Because I was a kid; didn’t know any better. Being a bad influence, I quickly formed a Black Hand Club on my block. I named myself President. We drew black hands by tracing our own hands on black construction paper. The plan was to tape them on the windows of the houses of bullies. Intimidation.

Well, my mother quickly shut down that plan.

I feel it is important to continually put pressure on city officials to address the homeless population problem in Sacramento. I don’t know if we need to put faces to it. I am glad somebody cares enough and takes the time to take a stand, though.

Here is an interesting photograph I shot yesterday walking up Muir Way. Somehow, this car still works. It’s amazing considering the damage. It provides transportation and runs. This looks like a vehicle that was broadsided. I hope the occupants of that vehicle were not hurt. Further, I’m glad they are still able to drive it. When not everybody is able to afford to fix a car like that immediately, having transportation, regardless of how it looks, is imperative for some to stay employed.

My view is Land Park is a great place to live. Wonderful neighbors, tree-canopied streets, many places to walk. I sell homes in Land Park. I harbor nothing but gratitude to those who want to make it better.