Jessica Bartholow, a legislative advocate at the Western Center on Law & Poverty, tried to help her uncle clear myriad infractions related to his homelessness after they reconnected in 2013
“We need to stop treating someone like a criminal because they can’t afford a place to live.” Jessica Bartholow legislative advocate, Western Center on Law & Poverty
“tHe $100,000 Homeless maN”
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But the seasonal facility was opened with the understanding that homeless people would no longer be allowed to rest on City Hall property, which has been fenced off. Meanwhile, activists have complained that police are frisking homeless people for illegal drugs and weapons before allowing them entry into two cityoperated weather shelters. Courtney Collins, the daughter of one of the dead homeless men, David Collins, flew from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, to testify before the city council on February 7. “My father died right outside, in only his clothes, with only a couple dollars in his pocket,” she told council members. “I was terrified to find out about the very legal confiscation of blankets, sleeping bags and other sources of warmth and shelter for those living on the streets by the police. … I have been unraveling truths so ugly, it feels impossible to go up against such a monstrous system.” In response, Steinberg informed her that the city recently opened five shelters. “That’s not enough,” Collins said over her shoulder as she walked back to her seat.
“I know,” Steinberg answered. In a meeting last week, Steinberg told activists he wants to ensure police aren’t confiscating survival gear when enforcing the camping ban, said the mayor’s spokeswoman, Kelly Rivas.
Hope from a Hospital bed After eating from his poisoned garden and falling ill, Russell Bartholow was admitted to the UC Davis Medical Center in October 2013. It was there that he spotted the name of his long-lost niece in the pages of an SN&R article and reached out to her. When Jessica went to see him, Russell bore the marks of many years on the streets. “All his teeth were gone,” Jessica said. “He’d been set on fire and spent months in the burn unit. He had been beat to a pulp several times. He had scars all over his body. And not just like little scars. Big scars.” Russell recalled that day more positively.
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