Mayor Richard Bailey recently appeared on the Tucker Carlson show to discuss homelessness in Coronado. In bold, uppercase banners across the lower screen, Fox touted the mayor’s “zero tolerance policy” on homeless encampments as playing a major role in eliminating the problem… an amazing and unique accomplishment in a state with a serious homeless crisis.
But here’s the rub: Coronado has never had a significant homeless issue or any “zero tolerance policy” in this regard. Not in the last 50 years. Not in the 50 years before that. Not since Coronado was incorporated as a town on December 11, 1890.
And according to the City of Coronado Communications Officer Andrea McCullough, the city does not currently have any written policy towards the homeless either.
No Coronado Mayor can have his or her own “zero tolerance policy” because they do not run the city. Our City Manager is the administrative head of the municipal government, and is tasked with managing the day-to-day operations of the city and implementing the policies of the City Council based on majority council votes.
After speaking with several past City Managers and Council Members, it seems Coronado has never had any “zero tolerance policy” concerning the homeless, because - they unanimously agree - it has never needed one.
It’s just simple geography and logistics. With the Coronado Bridge connecting us to San Diego, and Silver Strand Boulevard running over eight miles down to Imperial Beach, it’s a pretty challenging trip for those without adequate transportation. Also, unlike urban areas such as San Diego, there are no services for unhoused people in our community.
The homeless are human beings facing the worst of times.
The National Alliance to End Homelessness reports that the homeless largely include military veterans, abused women, senior citizens, young people, and minorities who have faced generational deprivation.
United to End Homelessness notes that despite persistent stereotypes, only about one third of unsheltered people are substance abusers, and only 26-percent have mental health issues.
Many have been forced onto the streets by urban gentrification that has led to the tearing down of cheap rooming houses and other forms of low cost rental housing.
The idea that homelessness is a choice is a myth. Homelessness is a complex problem comprised of societal failures and individual circumstances that leave no better alternatives. Family Promise
In sum, homelessness is a serious, complicated, persistent and terribly unfortunate situation for which there are no easy solutions.
In his latest newsletter to campaign contributors and supporters, rather than focusing on pressing issues in Coronado, Bailey notes, “I'm releasing a series of nonpartisan, detailed plans that identify specific actions our region can take to solve the main quality of life issues affecting San Diego County. Let's start with homelessness…”
Let’s start with the “nonpartisan” claim. In his Tucker debut, Bailey was squarely partisan, blaming liberals for tolerating “destructive behavior.” (See banner below)
File footage of homelessness in Los Angeles and Chicago is run throughout the interview, giving the visual impression that this is similar to what Coronado was facing before the mayor solved the problem.
Bolstering this illusion, another banner during the Fox interview boldly proclaims “MAYOR RICHARD BAILEY EXPLAINS HOW HIS CITY ELIMINATED HOMELESSNESS.”
Once Again: False…
We still have a small handful of homeless residents… and it’s always only been a handful, not some crisis that has been miraculously resolved through any “Zero Tolerance Policy” or any program created by the mayor.
Coronado Chief of Police Chuck Kaye notes that his department focuses on proactive policing, and its response to homelessness is governed by section 428.1 of the city’s Police Policy Manual.
It states, in part, “It is the policy of the Coronado Police Department to provide law enforcement services to all members of the community, while protecting the rights, dignity and private property of the homeless. Homelessness is not a crime and members of this department will not use homelessness solely as a basis for detention or law enforcement action.
The City of Coronado has contracted with Father Joe's Village for access to an Emergency Shelter Bed. The Emergency Shelter Bed is intended to be used by those needing a short-term bed and must be approved by the Watch Commander.”
Giving Homelessness a Face: Wayne’s Story
At the time this photo was taken near the Vons parking lot in 2014, Wayne had been homeless for twenty years, the last three of those years on the streets of Coronado before he moved on. I used to see him once or twice a week, chat a little and was one of many locals who gave him a few bucks now and then.
Wayne was soft, kind and likable. As this story from Coronado Times explains, he had suffered some injuries and surgeries, and faced some depression that contributed to his circumstances.
While a few Coronado residents did complain about Wayne, many others felt compassion and helped him out a bit. At the time, there were a few other homeless people in town, just as there are today, but they were and are largely invisible and there were never encampments. Simply put, no crisis.
Here’s My Take
Richard Bailey has recently started discussing the homeless issue because he is terming out as Mayor of Coronado and appears to have political ambitions over the bridge, where the problem is very real and highly newsworthy.
To his credit, the mayor did explain during his appearance on national television how the city implements consistent code enforcement, seeks to connect homeless individuals with the resources they need to get back on their feet, and has a civic and moral responsibility to help those who want to be helped.
But the entire segment on the Tucker Carlson show, with the patently false banners and the split-screen video of homelessness in urban areas right next to the talking mayor, served to create the impression that Mayor Bailey solved a terrible problem in Coronado with his “Zero Tolerance Policy.”
As a result, many might be led to think there is something magical that Coronado is doing under the guidance of the mayor. That might be great political optics but, unfortunately, it is untrue.
Playing opportunistic politics with the homeless issue is callous, disingenuous, misleading, and self-serving.
It might have been a better approach to say, “Unlike major urban areas with millions of people and thousands of homeless, we are a small town that has never faced a significant problem in this regard. I can’t take credit for fixing a non-issue, but here are a couple of things we are doing that, while they aren’t very unique, work for our community. Maybe they can work for others.”
If only…. but that sort of candor doesn’t make news, generate visibility, appeal to his base or boost campaign contributions, now does it?
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