SF Homeless, Part VI
Commentary
Continued from Part V
We often forget to appreciate the true essence of a city. It is more than just a place of commerce; it is a historical marketplace where farmers and artisans brought their goods. In the early days, tired of commuting and threatened during travel, people started building their homes above their stalls, giving birth to towns. With the advent of the Industrial Revolution, these towns transformed into bustling cities. Everything one needed was within reach: food, clothing, shelter, schools, churches, stores, factories, culture, and entertainment.
In the past, parents and children would gather at home for lunch, eliminating the need for transportation. Everyone lived, walked, and worked in their own neighborhood, creating the charming atmosphere found in European cities.
However, politically progressive cities have lost touch with these roots. Their focus on social and quality-of-life issues, such as caring for the marginalized and promoting bicycle lanes and pedestrian malls, contradicts the true nature of a city as a hub of commerce.
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Progressive cities have unintentionally transformed into centers of lax law enforcement, homelessness, and crime, which in turn drive away businesses. These cities, led by ”humane” progressives who oppose firearms, show little interest in monitoring their police departments. Consequently, these departments attract trigger-happy personnel, resulting in cities like San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis having both the largest homeless populations and the most aggressive police forces.
Progressives’ misunderstanding of cities is an extension of their misunderstanding of government. They fail to recognize that the primary purpose of government is to protect social, political, and economic freedom, rather than provide for them. Lacking faith in America’s historical commitment to market solutions, progressives fail to understand that social and economic problems cannot be solved solely through government intervention or throwing money at them.
Historical evidence shows that government programs like the New Deal and the War on Poverty had no significant impact on the nation’s poverty rate. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the poverty rate has remained at around 15 percent since 1964.
Progressives fail to address the core issue: homeless individuals come to cities seeking a place to lie down and die. The obvious solution is for the homeless to keep moving and leave the cities. Municipalities can inform them about available city-provided housing, food, clothing, and medical attention on the outskirts of town, such as unused factories and military bases, but they must also enforce the law.
One effective approach is the “Broken Windows” policy proposed by George Kelling and James Q. Wilson. This policy emphasizes targeting minor infractions that contribute to fear and unrest in urban neighborhoods, as they often lead to more serious crimes. By cracking down on offenses like public intoxication, prostitution, vagrancy, fare evasion, and aggressive panhandling, cities can maintain order and prevent crime.
Progressives dismiss such policies as unproven neo-conservative ideas that give the police an excuse to harass and arrest individuals for minor misconduct, leading to mass incarceration and racial profiling. However, Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s implementation of this policy in New York City proved its effectiveness. Even dropping a candy wrapper on the street could result in a one-hour prison sentence. The key was not the severity of punishment, but the certainty of it.
Kelling and Wilson explained in “The Moral Sense” that disorderly behavior in the streets creates an environment where serious street crime thrives. Criminals believe they are less likely to be caught or identified when potential victims are already intimidated by prevailing conditions. When law enforcement agencies prioritize maintaining order, safeguarding property, and preventing crime, peacekeeping prevails over warfare.
When the law is not enforced, chaos ensues. As Sir Robert Peel stated, an effective police department is characterized by the absence of crime, not just the activities dealing with it, such as arrests.
Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
How do progressive policies contribute to the issue of homelessness in cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles?
Oving and find work, but progressives believe that providing free services and handouts will solve the problem. This approach only exacerbates the issue, as it attracts even more homeless individuals to the city and creates an unsustainable burden on taxpayers.
Not only do progressive policies enable the homeless to continue their destructive behavior, but they also neglect the safety and well-being of the city’s residents. The recent rise in crime rates, drug use, and unsanitary conditions in cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles are direct results of these misguided policies. Instead of focusing on law enforcement and public safety, progressives prioritize social justice and the accommodation of the unhoused population.
It is essential to remember that a city cannot thrive unless it provides a safe and secure environment for its residents and businesses. The current approach of progressive cities negates this fundamental principle, harming both the residents and the economy. Businesses suffer as customers and employees are deterred by the deteriorating conditions and lack of safety, leading to a decline in commerce and job opportunities.
Moreover, the neglect of commerce and business in progressive cities comes at the cost of quality-of-life issues. While progressives advocate for initiatives such as bicycle lanes and pedestrian malls, they fail to recognize that these amenities are insignificant if there are no thriving businesses to support them. A city needs a robust economy and a vibrant commercial sector to truly enhance the quality of life for its residents.
It is crucial that cities rediscover their roots and prioritize the essentials: commerce, safety, and economic prosperity. Progressive cities must shift their focus from social and quality-of-life issues to creating an environment conducive to business growth and attracting investment. This entails robust law enforcement, policies that support entrepreneurship and economic development, and an emphasis on public safety.
Furthermore, city governments must work hand in hand with communities, businesses, and organizations to address the root causes of homelessness and provide effective long-term solutions. This includes initiatives that promote mental health services, addiction recovery programs, and job training opportunities. By addressing the underlying issues that lead to homelessness, cities can empower individuals to transform their lives and reintegrate into society.
Progressive cities have the potential to reclaim their former glory as vibrant economic hubs and cultural centers. By refocusing their efforts on core city functions and embracing market-based solutions, they can create an ecosystem that fosters prosperity for all residents. It is time for a paradigm shift in the approach to city governance, one that prioritizes the interests of its citizens and businesses, rather than misguided ideologies and social experiments.
Only by embracing these principles can progressive cities truly thrive and fulfill their potential as the engines of innovation, prosperity, and opportunity that they were meant to be.
More in This Series
This is the final part of a series looking at the complex issue of homelessness in San Francisco. The previous parts explored the causes of homelessness, the impact of progressive policies, and potential solutions to the crisis.
It is time for city leaders, policymakers, and citizens to come together and address the challenges of homelessness and urban decay with a clear focus on economic growth, public safety, and a common-sense approach to governance. Only then can our cities thrive as they were meant to be, fulfilling their potential as beacons of progress, opportunity, and human flourishing.
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