‘Better place’

Editor For A Day Kim Hawley assures us Chico’s homeless are in a better place. They’re in a better place due to the “courage” of our city government, which began busting COVID shelter-in-place homeless camps in January of 2021 — an action the author suggests was our council’s intuitively driven approach to achieving what “had to be better than the status quo.”

Who knew sweeping camps would lead to Warren v. Chico and Hawley’s version of success? Apparently a courageously psychic council knew, as it subconsciously invited litigation against its own municipality.

As to the question of whether the homeless are in a better place: I’ve heard this “better place” bromide across the political spectrum. “There must be a better place!” That is, better than in any public space.

But, better for whom? Better for us! Most pointedly for the legions who find visible poverty cause for every species of trepidation.

Here’s the big picture “status quo”: For decades, we’ve failed to deliver affordable housing and supportive services to the brain injured, mentally ill, addicted, million poorest Americans.

I accept that Hawley’s celebration will be a balm for the conscience of the many who desire, above all else, a good night’s rest. Not so much for the homeless, who must live with, and in fear, of social cleansing remedies I’ll guess Hawley has not imagined might ever befall a “retired executive” — to include that best-case jackpot in the “services” lotto, life in a 64-square-foot plastic box. — Patrick Newman, Chico