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Quarterly Business Insights Breakfast Recap: "Local Law Enforcement, Leadership and Business Concerns"
Your Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce held a thought-provoking Quarterly Business Insights Breakfast last week (Tuesday, April 11) on "Local Law Enforcement, Leadership and Business Concerns.” Attendees enjoyed a fine breakfast at the Ferrante Room in the Monterey Marriott as well as fantastic views of Monterey in the morning sunlight. The breakfast was sponsored by Pinnacle Bank.
Panelists were Monterey County Supervisor Mary Adams, Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto, City of Monterey Police Chief Dave Hober, City of Monterey Fire Chief Gaudenz Panzholer, and District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni. Each panelist had a unique perspective on the challenges local businesses are facing from crime, but all expressed appreciation for their cooperation with each other in addressing problems.
The panel discussion was moderated by Joel Franklin, retired Dean of Monterey College of Law. As a retired Constitutional Law professor, Joel Franklin was able to probe into the ongoing “tension” between civil liberties and the need for commerce to operate under a reasonable degree of social order.
Most of the panel discussed the activities of what was described as “service-resistant” people without a home who decline offers for services and housing. The panelists and audience recognized that a small percentage of people without a home tend to be the problem facing businesses in commercial areas of Monterey County as well as the State of California. While it is important to have empathy for other humans, no one wants to feel harassed or threatened by people who are publicly exhibiting the effects of substance abuse or mental illness.
Panelists praised the “multidisciplinary approach” of the City of Monterey to offer services to people who live outside and wander the streets, while trying to enforce the law when these individuals break it. But there were no answers. One panelist noted, with dismay, the number of sincere Monterey County residents who read an article on the web suggesting that Seattle or Portland are ending homelessness and then demand that Monterey County adopt the same programs. Panelists identified the use and societal tolerance of drugs as a common element of people who are “service-resistant,” and the limited availability and accessibility of mental health resources.
Panelists observed that the People of California have made decisions at the ballot box that establish how society addresses the criminal activity of “service-resistant” people without a home. Through their election of state legislative, executive, and judicial officials and through their votes in support of ballot propositions, the People of California have determined that people who commit misdemeanor crimes should not go to jail. People have the right to refuse services and housing offered by the government. Effectively, unless someone fulfills strict criteria to be subjected to a brief involuntary period in police custody or commits an obvious serious crime, that person generally gets to live without government interference, even if other people find such behavior to be illegal, intimidating, or problematic. If there isn’t adequate shelter available, people can camp outside. If someone decides that calling 911 is something to do at the moment, that person has the right to get a taxpayer-funded emergency response from medical personnel and a visit to the Emergency Room.
In other words, there are no easy solutions that also respect civil liberties that are protected in the U.S. and California Constitution. Perhaps some California laws could be changed to compel people to choose drug treatment as an alternative to jail. But generally, the “service-resistant” homeless are going to be present in California’s commercial districts for the foreseeable future.
The Monterey Police Chief concluded his comments by urging people to continue calling the police when they believe they are subjected to a crime. “Keep calling and be involved.”
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