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EDITOR:
The City Council and the staff of the City of Placerville have been creative and wise in their approach to addressing the needs of the homeless population in our community and at the same time addressing the concerns of the other residents of the City.
I have had the privilege of spending many hours with the homeless at the Hangtown Haven (HTH) located off north Broadway. I have observed a low profile, secured community of thoughtful human beings. The little community has its own set of rules and does its own
policing. The site is clean and orderly. The site is cleared for fire prevention purposes. There are sanitary facilities. Garbage is properly taken care of. The residents treat each other with respect and interface with the community with decorum. The residents of HTH
have a sense of pride in their little community, and they deserve respect from the broader community.
There is a significant number of other homeless people outside of HTH, and HTH is limited in how many it can serve. I urge the City to expand the current site and develop similar sites. This regulated campsite approach requires little to no direct cost to the City and reduces the cost of trying to police people camping in scattered, unorganized areas. Unregulated sites create litter, danger of wild fires and health issues related to human waste. The HTH approach lifts the morale of and generates respect for those less fortunate.
Bravo, City of Placerville. I tip my hat to you. I am confident that you will continue your innovative and creative approach and perhaps set the standard for addressing a national concern.
DON VANDERKAR
Placerville
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