SCRAM! Statement of Support Issued by Homeless Persons Legal Assistance Project

HOMELESS PERSONS
LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT
111 Errett Circle
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

March 11, 2015

Santa Cruz City Council
Civic Center
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

RE: SCRAM! Statement of Support

To the Santa Cruz City Council:

The Homeless Persons Legal Assistance Project (HPLAP) supports the mission and purpose of SCRAM! (Santa Cruz Resistance Against Militarization!) and wishes to express its concerns about the purchase of the BearCat armored personnel vehicle which has been approved by your vote.

As the primary organization providing pro bono legal services and assistance to people experiencing homelessness in Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz County, we are concerned that the presence of a military-style armored vehicle in our community would further erode the already fragile relationship between local law enforcement and the homeless community.

Furthermore, in our view the potential for further militarization of a police force that is viewed by many to have an adversarial relationship with our local homeless would place additional strain on efforts by our organization to build a bond of trust between law enforcement and people experiencing homelessness.

For these reasons, we are publicly supporting the mission and goals of SCRAM!

Very Truly Yours,


___________________
Steve Pleich, J.D.
Director
Homeless Persons Legal Assistance Project