The Homeless and the Police

Long Beach, California, March 25, 2007

The "Homeless and The Police" was the topic of a public forum held at the First Congregational Church in Long Beach. The church, located at 241 Cedar Street, has been in the local news lately. Reverend Jerry Stinson has opened the church doors on Sundays from 12:30PM to 4:30PM to the homeless. This drop-in center gives Long Beach's homeless population a place to sit indoors for the afternoon, watch television, read books or newspapers. They can socialize with other homeless people and the volunteers that provide services to them. Services range from being served a sandwich, fruit, cereal, snacks, other foods and drinks. The volunteers will also sew buttons or repair small tears on clothes.

The church makes it's computer room available to the homeless so they can check emails and perform job searches. During the winter of 2004-2005, the church allowed the city to use a part of the basement to locate Long Beach's winter shelter until a location could be found. The Sunday drop-in center is important to the homeless population, because many places that provide meals and services to the homeless and poor are closed on Sundays. The other reason is it gives them a few hours off the streets when they do not have to worry about getting in trouble with the local police.

The purpose of the "Homeless and The Police" forum was to provide a place where the homeless and the police could discuss issues as seen from both side of the streets. There seems to be an ongoing battle between both sides, creating a no-win situation. The forum was moderated by a representative from the National Conference for Community Justice. It was held "fish bowl" style with a group of people sitting in a circle in the middle of the room surrounded by others who attended the forum. The moderator posed questions to start a dialogue inside the fishbowl. The audience was invited to ask questions at the end of the discussion period.