Thank you Sheriff's Dept!

I’ve become increasingly concerned lately over the overwhelming number of homeless people scattered all over town (mostly in the downtown area).  

I don’t want people to think I don’t have compassion for someone who is legitimately homeless, do to an unfortunate string of circumstances in their life.  My gripe is with the homeless individual who has made choices (alcohol and drug addiction) in their life that has brought them to their current living situation.  These individuals are choosing to live their lives as homeless daily.  There are opportunities to go to programs and curb their addiction, however they continue to choose addiction.  This is the majority of the homeless living in Livermore.

These same individuals hold signs outside of Safeway, Wal-Mart and Target asking for money and people give it to them!  Most of this money is going back toward their addiction and people are essentially enabling them.  If you really feel inclined to do something for these people, give them food. 

This brings me to my next point.  The homeless have taken over certain spots of Livermore.  One of these said spots is the fountain on Railroad, behind the Safeway.  The taxpaying citizens of this town cannot bring their children to this place because the homeless are passed out drunk, talking loudly, drinking 40 ounce beers and cursing with their friends.  I have even seen homeless washing their laundry in the fountain where young children are seen playing during hot days. 

This is unacceptable.

Now where is the Livermore Police Department on this issue? The Livermore Police appear to have given the homeless free reign in this town.  The Livermore Police officers seem to bury their heads in then sand to the public drunkenness, open containers, trash and urinating/defecating in public.  I understand the “revolving door” can be frustrating when they are consistently released from jail and they return to their “claimed” locations continuing the same behaviors.   I do not believe the answer is to allow the homeless to take over the downtown areas with no consequences.  This is a major quality of life issue for our citizens.

Recently, I noticed the fountain had been cleared of homeless and I saw families there with their kids, as this park was intended for. I assumed Livermore PD cleared out the homeless, however I heard through the grapevine (which has been confirmed through recent blogs on patch) the Sheriff’s Dept. actually came in and cleared the homeless from the park.  Thank you Sheriff’s Dept.  It is still pretty sad that our own city police department could not handle this, but I’ll take it. 

I have recently seen some negative blogs on Patch regarding the Sheriff’s Dept. in Livermore.  I welcome them.  The more police presence we have in this town the better. Who would have a problem with more police in Livermore unless you are a criminal.  Thanks again Alameda County Sheriff’s!