I’m posting these bench pics as examples of NON- #hostiledesign.
Most benches in #sandiego have raised areas to prevent people from using them to sleep- or are removed altogether from public spaces.
Displacing people is so common it’s become normalized
I joined a person eating a sandwich on one of the non-hostile benches, before he returned to work at a nearby gas station
He told me the current #MegaMillions lotto is close to a billion$ (attracting as many visitors to his workplace as the need for fossil fuels apparently) 2/
Our brief chat reminded me why we need MORE benches- not fewer
And yet: under #MayorToddGloria- ALL benches in City Hall Plaza were removed in 2022
Why? For the #TopGunMovie premiere at Civic Theatre, despite Golden Hall shelter residents needing places to sit outside 3/
So consider a pattern of the #MayorToddGloria administration:
Instead of providing trash cans, they removed benches used by shelter residents for the most human of activities:
Sitting, resting, eating, talking, and socializing with other human beings.
It's inhumane & hostile 4/
Throughout history cities have created, managed & maintained parks & restrooms for ALL people
In contrast: #SanDiego actively resists providing these necessities:
- Public restrooms
- Seating in parks & open spaces
- Adequate staffing to maintain these spaces & facilities 5/
When asked directly about these challenges at #Politifest#MayorToddGloria blamed people's behavior for the city's inability to funding basic services
Translation: People behaving badly -not development staff's bias- is keeping the rest of us from having nice things 6/
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Providing medical treatment, counseling, and treating unsheltered/unhoused people humanely is the first step in preventing many of these "horror stories" and conflicts. Many people living on San Diego's sidewalks are survivors of abuse, assault, and violence.
Rape and domestic violence are a leading cause of homelessness for women and children. They need help to move past these experiences and PTSD behaviors that can be triggered by street experiences, and result in aggressive reactive behavior.
FYI: As you talk w/unsheltered people, many are stuck in a recurring #PTSD loop, actively reliving past trauma
They may become- or be perceived as- a threat to others when they are actually struggling to survive/process a sexual assault or other abuse (including police sweeps) 1/
I often hear stories of surviving violence from unsheltered people talking to themselves:
"Get away from me!"
"Leave me alone"
"Get your d-ck out of my face!"
"I don't want to do that..."
It's horrifying- and all too common
+ #SanDiegoPD sweeps can trigger memories of abuse 2/
Imagine someone invades your personal space, gives you orders & refuses to listen to you.
If you've been in this situation before & were injured- those memories can overwhelm your ability to respond to what's happening in "real time"
Result: Behavior based on survival #PTSD
3/
As #sandiego authorizes development in areas that may become prone to #flooding, but they’re not part of current FEMA zones that require flood insurance -people discover that standard homeowners insurance does NOT cover flood damage AFTER events like this
Evidence is only now being presented. There was nothing offered prior to court during discovery, violating due process. A 22 min video is only now available to view.
“This is trial by ambush”- @objkshn asks for dismissal
Several months ago a request to modify a downtown redevelopment agreement & remove installation of a "Portland Loo" restroom was pulled from a @SDCityCouncil hearing
Does anyone know what has happened to this project since then?
1/
Public restrooms are desperately needed throughout #SanDiego for people of all ages, housing status & ability levels
The current model (i.e.- only customers have access to restrooms, via hotels, stores, restaurants, coffee shops, etc.) impacts #publichealth & transit use 2/
A @SDSU study also determined the lack of public restrooms is a #publichealth issue
Not sure who needs to hear this, but:
On July 11 #SanDiego will host a #Pride march and
the theme is #Resiliency
Related: I've learned a person who harassed/threatened me in 2019- until a court issued a restraining order against him- will likely be part of this event.
1/x
It's "likely" because he's been hired by an LGBTQ advocacy organization
Their Exec Director was not aware he's had 3 restraining orders in the last 15 yrs: One for harassment, two for #domesticviolence
I often relive this abuse & harassment since it happened in my home
2/x
I had wanted to attend the march w/friends- But the more I thought of being in public, surrounded by others who have been traumatized in recent years, the less appealing it became.
As a survivor: It's hard feel safe or be "resilient" when an abuser is marching with me.
3/x