City is cruel to kick homeless out of park

As a Bidwell Parks and Playgrounds Commissioner, speaking solely for myself, I am absolutely disgusted with the city’s forced removal of the homeless from our parks. I obviously care deeply about the health of the park, but I am outraged at city government’s continued refusal to establish a place for these human beings to go.

Kicking unhoused people out of a current spot forces them to move to other spots in the city or deeper into the park. It exacerbates the problem. The Parks Commission unanimously supported and advocated for a sanctioned campground in June. Simply forcing unhoused people to move keeps the problem active. It is not a solution.

It is also cruel, especially right now. As I write this, nearly 375,000 people have died from Covid and health care workers are exhausted; Nazis raided our capitol, with more violence expected any day. And THIS is what our city leaders authorize. No statement asking Chicoans to wear masks and stay home; no efforts to enforce mandates to protect us. No statements of sorrow or grief for the lost lives in our county. No statement condemning violence.

If social media groups who support this ugliness had directed their energies to advocate for a shelter, a detox facility, or expanded mental health and social services, we would have all of them by now. Removal is no solution. It is immorality in the extreme. It will not work. And it should break your heart.

— Anna Moore, Chico