Care for the homeless should be mandated

Regarding “A lost soul dies: Why couldn’t S. F. save her?” ( Front Page, Dec. 8): Supervisor Rafael Mandelman is absolutely right. Currently, within our city’s homeless outreach system, accepting services is completely voluntary.

Meanwhile, there exists a large crosssection of the homeless population, completely unable to make rational decisions about their own care. We must give city agencies the authority to commit such people to care for their own wellbeing. Mandating care may very well save their lives.

Chris Charles, San Francisco