Chico not to blame for homelessness issue

Letter writers recently lamented the city council’s turn towards enforcing anti- camping laws. “This is not a problem we can arrest our way out of,” they say. I agree.

The fundamental duty of a city is to protect and enhance the quality of life of its citizens; providing roads fit to drive on, water fit to drink, sewers, and a police force to protect the lives and property of citizens. Cities are not a source of social services for their citizens, housed or homeless.

Social services, including welfare benefits, public health including behavioral and addiction treatment fall to the state, which delegates service delivery to counties. Butte County has funds, personnel, and mandates to provide services to address these needs, funded mostly by state taxes. Chico has none of that. State and county policies have been a dismal failure.

The only reason that camping in our parks is a law enforcement problem is because the county and the state have failed to direct their resources at the real problems: substance abuse and/or mental illness treatment, and permissive changes to criminal laws. No wonder our police are being overwhelmed trying to protect the general welfare of citizens and enforcing our laws.

Point your ire in the right direction. Stop blaming innocent Chico citizens for daring to desire safety, cleanliness, and even beauty for the community they live, raise children, and work in. Have a little compassion for them, too.

— Rob Berry, Chico