Letter: Homeless Need to be Heard

Dear Editor,

I recently read the “Mill Valley’s (Homeless) Woman About Town” piece published on July 16, 2012 about former Mill Valley resident Rebecca Chapman and found the story to be unfortunate for her personally, but possibly beneficial to the reputations of other homeless people of Marin. As of just recently, the San Rafael Police Department pronounced the designation of “hot zones” where homeless notoriety is common. This story of how this normal citizen who has fallen into a slump yet still remains active in her community sheds light upon all those similar to her in San Rafael who are experiencing homeless prejudice.                                         

There is without a doubt a large demographic of the homeless in San Rafael who use resources such as the Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Marin and go about their business in a normal and orderly fashion. So often are the social tendencies of homeless people labeled as disruptive and psychotic that the many people who just happen to be “down on their luck” are tossed in with the same category of some of these drug addicts and schizophrenics. I also happened to read in the CBS local San Francisco news that the orderly homeless who have been targeted have spoken out about the prejudice.

Luckily, organizations like the Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Marin are kind enough to accommodate these unfortunate people through means of hearty meals and a safe environment to dine. Disorderly homeless definitely need to be addressed, but the voices of these targeted people need to be heard.

-Dominic Quaranta, Mill Valley