Dear Editor,
This is a letter in response to the article concerning loitering in St. Paul as published in the July 1 issue of The Journal.
I openly question the humanity of those who would place a fine on people who are in a situation where they would be considered to be “loiterers.”
In all actuality, most of the people who would be affected by the amendments to this bylaw are in fact homeless. To try to impose a fine on those who have literally nothing is like trying to get blood from a stone.
Does the town really think that fining the poor will really solve this issue, or are they just trying to ignore the reality of other people's situations? The vast majority of homeless people have suffered abuse, addiction, neglect and other personal experiences that have resulted in their current situation.
If the town and various businesses really want to solve the issues at hand, perhaps they should focus their efforts into building shelters, and providing food to those who need it as opposed to punishing them.
The last time I checked, our town's motto is “St. Paul - A people kind of place.” Perhaps our community as a whole should live up to this title and treat our brothers and sisters with the respect they deserve as fellow people.
When will our actions match the words we claim to live by?
Dmitri Krys,
Local student, 18
