Ald. Brenda Konkel, District 2, recently proposed city ordinances to allow homeless people to urinate in public and sleep in public areas (including shelters in parks), among other things.
Over the course of the last year, Madison's homeless have come under public scrutiny after the homicides of Joel Marino and Brittany Zimmermann. The main target was the Brittingham park area, a once-popular place for the homeless to congregate.
In response, the mayor's office introduced a 14-point plan to improve Brittingham Park and reduce disturbances the homeless cause.
Part of the plan was to install cameras to deter inappropriate or illegal behavior, as well as increase police patrols of the park. Madison residents - whose tax dollars go toward the maintenance of the park - claim marked improvements in the quality of life for those living in the area.
Konkel believes these measures impinge on the rights of the homeless population, leading to her introduction of these new ordinances - especially since no new programs to help the homeless are in the 2009 city budget. Her intent in drafting these proposals is to put the spotlight on the city's treatment of the homeless population.
While offering no new programs does not help the status quo of homelessness in Madison, allowing the homeless to continue a lifestyle that is destructive to themselves and the citizens of Madison is generally detrimental.
The city council should take an aggressive stance against the homeless lifestyle, aiming to take them off of the street. Simply providing shelter is not a prudent solution, since it costs the city money and facilitates panhandling and aggressive behaviors. Until there is an impetus for them to change their ways, there is no necessity for them to alter their current behavior.
There must also be ample rehabilitative programs meant to actually take the homeless off the street. These new laws would solely target the homeless who have no desire to change their lifestyle, leaving our streets clear and giving help to those in need.
