Seattle’s Community Police Commission is — in the words of KIRO Radio’s Jason Rantz — “filled with reliably anti-cop, ‘progressive’ activists.” That might help explain why, last week, the commission issued the ridiculous recommendation to allow “safe consumption sites” in Seattle for homeless individuals to “legally get drunk or high in public without fear of arrest.”
The commission also recommended allowing people to “drink or use drugs in homeless camps, so that activity isn’t pushed to places like supermarket bathrooms.”
Via the MyNorthwest.com:
“Though they admit that ‘[p]ublic consumption is often connected to other social and behavioral challenges, such as chemical dependence, mental illness and homelessness,’ they argue that the homeless, ‘many of whom are African American and Native American, are disproportionately impacted by public consumption citations because they do not have anywhere else to go.’”
In other words, for liberals, citing intoxicated or stoned homeless people is now a social justice issue. Never mind addressing the real problem of drug abuse and/or addiction that all too often keep homeless people on the street, as long as liberals can tout their far-Left, bizarre ideological agenda.
Perhaps most disturbing is the reality that the money spent on “monitoring” the “safe consumption sites” could be put to better use. Many programs in place successfully help treat addiction. Yet, rather than sensibly support proven programs, Seattle liberals prefer to push a ridiculous and irrational idea.
Of course, the sensible option doesn’t fit in the far-Left’s irrational ideology.
Brad Fish says
Would you actually have to be homeless, or could you just deem yourself to be
homeless?
tensor says
Washington state has some really stupid laws concerning drinking, starting with requiring restaurant owners to build a barrier so that minors can’t physically enter the bar area. Prohibition on public imbibing — no beer at your beach party! — inconveniences occasional users, while doing nothing to help the chronicically inebriated get the help they need.
Maybe this proposal will start us on our way to rational policies on alcohol and marihuana use in public life.
Clay Fitzgerald says
Hey there, Tensie, what sort of “barriers” does that state require “so that minors can’t physically enter the bar area?” Also, which “public” beaches can’t one imbibe in a few beers? I frequently camp in state parks, and not just in Washington, and have consumed alcoholic beverages legally.
tensor says
…what sort of “barriers” does that state require “so that minors can’t physically enter the bar area?”
You spent how many years on our dime as a government regulator, and you can’t even find a single law on the Internet?
Also, which “public” beaches can’t one imbibe in a few beers?
Ditto.
We sure got a great deal for all the money we paid you, didn’t we?
scooter says
You’re wrong on both counts, there are numerous restaurants where there is no barrier between tables and the bar area, Applebee’s to name one, Plaza Jalisco to name two, maybe you can get out and find some on your own, and I can’t count the number of times I’ve enjoyed an adult beverage on lake Washington, the loggers jubilee, or at the beaches. There’s about a zero percent chance of any rational policy coming out of Seattle.
Clay Fitzgerald says
You know tensor, he might have a heart as big as all outdoors, but he ain’t go one brain poor old head.
Clay Fitzgerald says
I’ve looked up lots of thing… laws, regulations, guidelines, advisories, etc. but it’s not up to me to prove your points. If you can’t back up or show proof of the nonsense you post, then you aint’ got nothing, fathead!
Clay Fitzgerald says
Hey there, again, tensie, I’ve been in many restaurants where the only barrier between the dining area and the bar area is a sign that states the minors are not allowed to enter this area… that’s it. So where is it that state law states there must be a “barrier so that minors can’t physically enter the bar area,” HUH?
Biff says
Please explain how allowing the chronicically (sic) inebriated to get inebriated in their homeless camp helps them get the help they need. My rose-colored “liberal vision” glasses seem to be busted.
I just found out that I’ve been chronicically (sic) violating the “no beer at your beach party!” law for years without ever getting a single citation. It must be as unenforced as I-594.