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Official Homeless Death Toll a new record at 42
NOTE TO READER: Can readers think of another killer in Santa Cruz County which annually claims 42 souls an average of 30 years before their time? In 2005, only 8 cases of AIDS were diagnosed. Yet the AIDS crisis probably causes more concern for public officials than the death rate of homeless people. The STATE OF BEING HOMELESS causes death!! Being cold, tired, hungry, and unprotected along with psychological factors such as isolation and rejection, and the pressure of legal factors such as criminalization all add up to claims lives. Dozens and dozens of them each year. Why haven't our public officials reacted with a task force or a public health warning to halt this much preventable death? Can they sweep this much negligence under the rug? --- Becky Johnson of HUFF
December 22, 2006
Santa Cruz County homeless deaths rise in 2006
By Matt King
Sentinel staff writer
SANTA CRUZ — Forty-two homeless people died in Santa Cruz County in 2006, the most since social service providers began keeping statistics in 2001.
Four were homicide victims, all at the hands of other homeless people, according to law enforcement agencies.
"It was a brutal year," said Ken Cole, executive director of the Homeless Services Center in Santa Cruz. "This speaks to how desperate people are, how on edge people are. It speaks to our need to get people off the streets. ... We're kind of going backwards."
According to a census taken last year, there are 3,370 people without permanent housing in the county. Since the annual count began, an average of 32 people have died each year, according to figures released by the Santa Cruz County Homeless Persons' Health Project. Last year, there were 29 deaths. There were no homeless homicides in either 2004 or 2005, according to authorities.
County figures show chronic liver disease and other drug- and alcohol-related ailments were leading causes of death in 2006. The average age at death was 49.
"The average person is getting so numb to this," Cole said. "People are getting to accept that this is just part of our society. It should be something that shocks people."
Larry Turnell was 53 when he died in November from a medical condition related to his substance abuse problems. His mother, Lois Alford, clutched a picture of her son as a young boy as she sobbed her way through a ceremony Thursday at the Homeless Services Center on Coral Street honoring all homeless people who died this year. The memorial, an annual event since 1999, is held Dec. 21 — the shortest day and longest night of the year. About 50 people endured a dank and dreary afternoon to honor the dead on National Homeless Day.
"I just wish more people could be connected with it so they know how many people are out there who need help," Alford said. "If people could know what it's like to lose a child, no matter what age ... the regrets about what you might have done or could have done."
Cole described the ceremony as closure for homeless people and those who work with them.
"There's grief that goes with this kind of work and it's a chance to step away from some of that pain and reaffirm our desire to end homelessness and get people off the streets," he said. "Ultimately, people should not die in the bushes."
David DeLong, known to his friends as "Gypsy," died this year at age 64. His friend, Megan Colson, also homeless, gave a short eulogy in his honor, remembering the 20 years they were apart before reuniting a few months ago.
"I lost him and I found him," she said. "And I lost him again."
Contact Matt King at mking [at] santacruzsentinel.com.
Santa Cruz County homeless deaths rise in 2006
By Matt King
Sentinel staff writer
SANTA CRUZ — Forty-two homeless people died in Santa Cruz County in 2006, the most since social service providers began keeping statistics in 2001.
Four were homicide victims, all at the hands of other homeless people, according to law enforcement agencies.
"It was a brutal year," said Ken Cole, executive director of the Homeless Services Center in Santa Cruz. "This speaks to how desperate people are, how on edge people are. It speaks to our need to get people off the streets. ... We're kind of going backwards."
According to a census taken last year, there are 3,370 people without permanent housing in the county. Since the annual count began, an average of 32 people have died each year, according to figures released by the Santa Cruz County Homeless Persons' Health Project. Last year, there were 29 deaths. There were no homeless homicides in either 2004 or 2005, according to authorities.
County figures show chronic liver disease and other drug- and alcohol-related ailments were leading causes of death in 2006. The average age at death was 49.
"The average person is getting so numb to this," Cole said. "People are getting to accept that this is just part of our society. It should be something that shocks people."
Larry Turnell was 53 when he died in November from a medical condition related to his substance abuse problems. His mother, Lois Alford, clutched a picture of her son as a young boy as she sobbed her way through a ceremony Thursday at the Homeless Services Center on Coral Street honoring all homeless people who died this year. The memorial, an annual event since 1999, is held Dec. 21 — the shortest day and longest night of the year. About 50 people endured a dank and dreary afternoon to honor the dead on National Homeless Day.
"I just wish more people could be connected with it so they know how many people are out there who need help," Alford said. "If people could know what it's like to lose a child, no matter what age ... the regrets about what you might have done or could have done."
Cole described the ceremony as closure for homeless people and those who work with them.
"There's grief that goes with this kind of work and it's a chance to step away from some of that pain and reaffirm our desire to end homelessness and get people off the streets," he said. "Ultimately, people should not die in the bushes."
David DeLong, known to his friends as "Gypsy," died this year at age 64. His friend, Megan Colson, also homeless, gave a short eulogy in his honor, remembering the 20 years they were apart before reuniting a few months ago.
"I lost him and I found him," she said. "And I lost him again."
Contact Matt King at mking [at] santacruzsentinel.com.
For more information:
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2...
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§Photo Background
The photo looks like Officer Wendy Bines and another officer detaining homeless Vet Jim Purcell, on the basis of aan uncertain restraining order in the continuing tension between the vets and Vets Hall manager Tim Bratton. It happened many months ago and I happened to be present.
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§homeless vs. houseless
When did it become a crime to 'squat' or exist? In the past, (before the hippies) We were called hobo's, tramps etc. I promised an elderly homeless woman, Mary, that I wouldn't use the term 'bum' anymore. Apparently back in the day it was a very bad word. We have become de-sensitized to the word. It's used commonly to describe each other and is even a brand name in fashion wear. Mary doesn't even like to think of the word. To her it means no good for nothing lower than a dog filthy rotten sickly stupid ugly drunken not even fit for living piece of trash gutter spit! During the depression, because so many suffered from poverty, homelessness wasn't so taboo and illegal. What about the dust bowl? Did those emigrants face the condemnatiion of the law and the not so impoverished? Didn't they have to sleep outside? Weren't they allowed to cook and stay warm with a contained fire? Eventually they found work and bettered their lives. If they had drinking problems they were either put in hospitals or jails, but remember, drinking wasn't as glamorized then as it is today. The causes of homelessness are many, but the main one is a lack of a house! Home is a euphemism, it can be a place anywhere you feel at home. Let's start by correctly defining the situation, it's houselessness! When we define a problem then we can better approach it. "Know thine enemy" is the proverb. "We have seen the enemy and it is us" is another. I don't want a free house! I want to be able to afford one! I can barely pay for food. Thank God that He always provides with the help of generous, caring people! There must be a way. We're just looking in the wrong direction. Sweeping houseless people under the rug has got to stop. I use to live under a rug. It was warm and safe but they told me I had to move, I couldn't stay in the field anymore. I wasn't happy there, I was better off than on the sidewalk or in jail. Jail is a dangerous place. So is living outside, but I'll take my chances outside rather than in a den of thieves and murderers! I'm through! TC
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