The federal government’s police takeover in Washington, D.C. last week is deeply misguided and futile, as it wastes tax funds on an ineffective show of force instead of directing resources toward policies that have proven to truly reduce crime and homelessness. The White House’s inflammatory rhetoric peddles tired, untrue stereotypes about people experiencing homelessness which are not based on facts. In reality, studies show there is no correlation between homelessness and crime.
At Abode and its family of agencies, we are committed to evidence-based practices. The evidence clearly shows that access to housing and services is the solution to homelessness—not government intimidation or threats of fines, arrests and incarceration. The federal government’s actions last week in the nation’s capital is an expensive mistake that harms the people it claims to help while squandering the public’s limited resources.
Equally alarming are news reports that indicate these ineffective policies might be used in other cities across the nation, including those in the Bay Area.
We strongly urge Gov. Gavin Newsom and our local representatives to fight back against any police takeover in the Bay Area and other regions. We also urge you—Abode staff, community supporters and other local residents—to make your voice heard and echo your support of our efforts to help our community’s most vulnerable people.Please contact your local representatives—at the federal, state, county and city levels—and express yourself. Together we can make a difference.
Chris De Benedetti, Abode director of communications and marketing
Fremont
