Policing Unhoused Residents in South Pasadena

A homeless person sleeping on the grass (Photo – Staff)

Each night, more than 65,000 Los Angeles County residents sleep in parks, on the street, and alongside freeways.

By News Desk

To get off the streets, unhoused people need social services, healthcare, sanitation, and mostly affordable housing. Yet local governments’ chief response is to treat homelessness as a criminal matter with police officers who lack specialized training to address their needs.

That’s why on Thursday, Feb. 4, at 7:30 pm, Care First South Pasadena is hosting a free community webinar on “Policing Our Unhoused Neighbors.” (Register for the free Zoom webinar here. You will receive a zoom link to the webinar).

This one-hour event will feature presentations by Gary Blasi, UCLA Professor of Law Emeritus, and Dr. Robin Petering, policy co-chair of Ktown for All.

Blasi has worked tirelessly to advocate for homeless families and individuals, low-income tenants, low wage workers, veterans, and victims of discrimination. He has received numerous awards for his legal services to vulnerable and marginalized populations. and is recognized as the “go-to lawyer for community groups.”

Petering is the founder and senior researcher at Lens Co., a research and advocacy consulting enterprise and the policy co-chair for Ktown for All. She currently oversees several evaluation contracts with agencies across the country that serve young people who are experiencing homelessness.

Care First is a group of South Pasadena residents seeking a city budget that prioritizes the health, safety, and welfare of the community. This budget would center on health solutions and services provided in the community so that police intervention is the last option, rather than the first.

For more information on Care First South Pasadena go to: https://www.carefirstsouthpasadena.com/