Thinking outside the box

Editor,

I have been following your stories regarding the homeless and Sheriff Briese’s comments related thereto.

I sincerely hope we can resolve the problem of finding actual shelter for those that want it. However, I know there are also a number of them that prefer to be “unattached” and be free to just camp, and this will always be the case.

To accommodate them and to reduce some of the hassle related to their camping, I think the board of supervisors via a resolution should designate an area of county-owned land to be a homeless camping area. This would eliminate the problem of breaking the law by camping on public property.

Their “camp” could be considered as their quasi home and getting drunk, smoking pot, etc., could be overlooked as long as they stayed in the “camp” and did not otherwise threaten other campers.

There is an area between Antone Road and Standen Park Road just beyond the Creekside Terrace that could be designated which was once before a multiple camper site.

And, since there is water, sewer and power in that area, it would be great if we could build a multi-use small building containing bathrooms, a shower and a laundry for their use. The bathrooms would also serve the public when the Mariposa Creek Parkway is opened in that area.

And, we might look at using TCC Grant Funding for the effort.

I know this sounds like we might be encouraging more campers to come there by these “niceties,” but I have never been treated negatively in any of my encounters with the homeless, but then none were high on drugs at the time.

I know if I were down on my luck and had to resort to camping, I would welcome a place where I could do so legally and have proximity to normal services such as a bathroom, a place to shower, grocery store, medical help, etc.

Just trying to think outside the box a little.

Frank Mock
Mariposa