WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS
NOT READ INTO THE RECORD
From: Brad Conroy
To: Michael Dunn; City Clerk
Cc: Lili Bosse
Subject: Item F-1
Date: Tuesday, August 2, 2022 12:01:02 PM
CAUTION: External Sender
Use caution when clicking links or opening attachments
Dear Mayor Bosse, Vice Mayor Gold, Councilmember Mirisch, Councilmember Friedman, Councilmember Nazarian, Assistant City Manager Nancy Hunt-Coffey and StaffThank you for the thoughtful effort you put into our city. Thank you for the effective enforcement of Anti-Camping Laws which has made our city look much better than our municipal neighbors.
Thank you for all that is being done with the Unhoused. The introduction of the MET program should help, however more must be done, particularly now as Covid-era, federal shelter programs end, the economy begins recession, and before the opening of the subway.
Our city has advantages which could allow us to try different strategies to once and for all break the hopeless cycle which prevents the same poor souls to live and suffer on our streets for years and is increasingly diminishing the quality of life for our city's residents, businesses, visitors and staff.
A few possible suggestions;
1) Institute a zero-tolerance Unhoused policy?
a) For the thirty-something "frequent flyers" many of whom know how to circumvent the system and despite BHPD's and Human Services' best efforts return back on our streets, let's complete the task of assistance. We should offer three long term, immediate solutions 1) psychiatric help 2) substance abuse help 3) work and shelter We should be able to drive the unhoused and drop them off at a 1) mental health facility-if one does not exist, we create it, hire the staff, lease the location and provide meaningful help. We can lease or purchase a multi-bedroom house in a lower cost southland community and start helping. 2) substance abuse facility--similarly if an adequate one does not exist, we create it and break the substance abuse cycle 3) if 1 and 2 are not an issue, work and shelter is the easiest. We can provide immediate municipal cleaning, beautification work and housing by identifying low income apartments within the state's density bonus program--the BH seal of approval that mental health and addiction issues are addressed will encourage apartment managers to lease.
If one refuses the above they are barred from our city. If one accepts, we foot the bill, the city leads financially, but then we have a private, resident annual fundraiser to support (our family and neighbors would help), and later, if necessary come up with sustainable land use policies, namely allowing greater incentives on the mixed-use boulevards where the city shares in revenue of deed restricted units, beyond the state's density program, and the revenue is earmarked to assisting the above and the suggestions below. b) For the other itinerant Unhoused, the zero tolerance policy will mean you are contacted upon entering the city and it will become known that you are able to walk thru Beverly Hills, but loitering will not be an option.
2) Join our other municipal neighbors and again hire a full time BH City Prosecutor, and consider contracting our CP with WEHO for strategic reasons. Though the CP will handle misdemeanors, we will make sure they are enforced unlike what is happening at the County.
This action will send an inspiring message to our front line workers and help us take back control of our streets.
3) Cut and redirect all CAGF funds as soon as possible into implementing 1a and 1b. Every city is doing their version of the CAGF and supporting the gaggle of well-meaning ABC organizations, but it is not working because its too complicated. Let's only fund long term, immediate solutions that we can control and ensure success. 4) Create a new position Unhoused Coordinator who will provide an update at the first council meeting of the month on status and coordination between 1) BHOT 2) Park Rangers 3) Ambassadors 4) Security 5) Businesses (appoint Industry captains report to UC, e.g. Hotels, Grocery and Drug, Restaurants, Retail, Service, to report with photos and narratives on how many encounters with unhoused during period 6) Residents (appoint neighborhood captains who will report the same to the UC with photos and narratives) 5) Expand our borders and assist the Unhoused within a 1 mile radius around our city, as the current situation now allows camping next door and then regularly coming into Beverly Hills 6) Make sure Armed Security, and all others do not just walk by and ignore Unhoused.
Start with our city and come up with a program that is long term and sustainable than can be exported county wide. Let's lead.
Thank you for your consideration and your daily sacrifice in helping making our community better.
Thank you Mayor Bosse for convening this discussion today.
With gratitude
Brad
--
BRAD CONROY
PRESIDENT I LICENSE 01328315
CONROY COMMERCIAL | LICENSE 01772254
5877 WEST 3RD STREET
LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA 90036
310 275 3233 D 310 275 3275 C 310 738 1177
conroycommercial.com