The lawsuit was filed on behalf of certain homeless residents suffering from mental and physical disabilities and contends that despite its reputation as a socially progressive, liberal bastion that the homeless are harassed by SMPD regularly.
“It‟s not only illegal but callous and inhumane for any city to have its police officers cite, arrest and harass mentally ill or physically disabled homeless persons, even as it fails to provide them with sufficient shelter space. But it‟s particularly shocking and hypocritical in Santa Monica, which touts itself on its website as a „forward-thinking, caring community,‟ said Mark Rosenbaum, legal director of the ACLU/SC.
The ACLU/SC has sued two other cities — Laguna Beach and Santa Barbara with regard to this same issue. They reached a settlement with the city of Laguna Beach last month.
Julie Rusk, the human services manager who oversees Santa Monica’s homeless programs told the Sacramento Bee that, “we were taken aback and perplexed.”
In the past, Santa Monica has been praised for its efforts to find permanent housing for the homeless.
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