Vallejo City Council hypocrisy

A recent comment by a member of the Vallejo City Council demonstrates hypocrisy in its highest form.

To paraphrase the comment, “We care.” That comment comes from a council member who voted against a concept called Hope Village. Hope Village would have housed up to 60 people for 30 days, after Project Room Key closed, in January, traditionally the coldest month of the year. But she bent a knee to political pressure and voted no — thereby leaving people without adequate, warm, safe shelter during the coldest month of the yea.

This same council member proposed and tried her hardest to convince other council members to vote in favor of an ordinance that would have criminalized the unsheltered. All research shows that city ordinances specifically targeting the unsheltered population negatively harm, impact the unsheltered by creating a criminal record which destroys any possibility of applying for housing. In the city's year-end goals, homelessness was not the No. 1 issue.

How do these examples show proof of “caring” for the unsheltered population in Vallejo? A comment from a member of the unsheltered community who gave firsthand proof that the narrative expressed by members of Vallejo's staff, especially assistant city manager, that items are “tagged and stored” for 90 days completely destroyed that shamefully, misleading narrative. But, this member will more than likely dismiss firsthand truthful knowledge of what actually occurs at these so-called “debris removals,” or displacements.

Did city officials discuss with or develop a plan with residents before moving them from the Enterprise Street encampment or the boat launch encampment?

No.

So, this council member should not insult my intelligence by proudly shouting out loud to all of those in her political base that she “cares.” She does not.

This is not my opinion. It is proven, document facts.

— Jose (Joey) Carrizales/Vallejo