Officials, professors target local homeless issue
Campus Times
December 3, 1999
In the diverse area of Los Angeles County where society seems to economically
rise and fall by the city block, many find it unique that, within the La
Verne City limits that the issue of homelessness remains so menial.
With neighboring communities like that of Pomona where at the Our House
Shelter the homeless are annually served on by the thousands, it seems peculiar
to many that La Verne remains distant from this issue.
"We're really fortunate we don't have many homeless people here,"
said Jeff Alred, assistant city manager. Alred noted the continual absence
of a major issue within the city limits. However, he said he has yet to
determine how his community remains separated from a situation like that
in Pomona.
Sharing her perspective on the issue was University of La Verne Associate
Professor of Sociology Dr. Ann Wichman.
"Certain communities like La Verne and like Claremont are more
dedicated to not dealing with that issue," said Dr. Wichman. "One
of the ways of not dealing with it is to not allow any facilities to serve
the homeless in your community."
She explained that the situation in La Verne provides a near catch-22
dilemma in the community. According to the sociology professor's prediction,
the local homeless have few social services, and therefore, seek communities
that will cater to their needs.
"La Verne may be off the beaten path ... in the end, that's probably
a positive," said Alred sharing his sentiment.
Dr. Wichman also attributes the phenomena to many social aspects within
the community of La Verne. Explaining that often in predominately middle
class communities like La Verne and Claremont, a lack of experience with
the issue contributes to the problem.
"We tend to avoid the things we can't predict," said Dr. Wichman.
Exemplifying a possible sentiment from society she said," If I ignore
it I don't have to feel guilty."
Giving his perspective on the issue was 55-year old La Verne resident
Edward Robert Danz.
Residing outside of a local supermarket, Danz himself is in the selective
group of homeless in La Verne.
On occasion he said he interacts with with locals going to by their
weekly shopping, but for the most part, he keeps to himself.
"I lost everything to every thing ... I don't want to be homeless,"
he said, "but I don't have any choice."
Despite certain individuals who stop to converse, including a woman
who gave him a dollar to take his photo for an L.A. County Fair entry, Danz
chooses to steer away from such interaction.
"They can be friendly, but I don't want to do any talking with
them," he said.
Aware of his unique niche in La Verne community, he said. "You
can only have a certain number [of homeless] in a certain radius."
Danz said that when homeless enter that radius who are a bother to others,
"we get them kicked out of here."
Dr. Wichman empathizes with the sense of hopelessness experienced by
individuals like Danz.
"There are some skills lacking to make it in mainstream society,"
said Dr. Wichman of many homeless cases. She explained that the homeless
often cannot obtain the training and resources needed to alleviate their
situation.
According to Dr. Wichman, accessibility to a phone and a mailing address
can sometimes be the greatest obstacle for the homeless.
"The help we give has to be a lot more complex than saying, 'They're
hiring at McDonald's, why don't you go apply?' "
With the community leaders content with a small homeless population,
many like Dr. Wichman predict little change in what is offered to the homeless
in La Verne. Many who face the problems seen by Danz and other homeless
in La Verne will seek solutions elsewhere.
In reference to the community Dr. Wichman said, "We haven't quite
figured out what exactly it is we need to do."