"It's not just homeless, not all homeless are criminals"

This was a comment made by Eureka Chief of Police Andy Mills during a CHIP presentation this morning during the Humboldt County Board of Supervisor's meeting.

CHIP, Community Homeless Improvement Project is a group that was spearheaded by Supervisors Virginia Bass and Rex Bohn and this group consists of County and City of Eureka officials, County and City of Eureka staff and organizations working with the homeless. The group has been meeting since October 2013, almost every week at the Courthouse.

Chief Mills was the first to speak. "Homelessness is not going to go away, CHIP would like to improve" the plight of homeless individuals. Chief Mills said according to surveys and data, "a minority of homeless are responsible for the majority of  problems and crimes" that CHIP wants to address. "It's not just the homeless," he said. "Not all homeless are criminals. There are others that engage in "criminal behavior that degrades the community."

Many of the individuals who are currently homeless are longtime resisdents of Humboldty County, said Chief Mills.

Several other speakers with a power point presentation spoke about advocacy and efforts to help the homeless and others about legislation that will address certain crimes which are of concern to citizens and businesses.

"In 30 years, I see a light for the first time," said Betty Chinn. Her sentiment was echoed by representatives from the Eureka Rescue Misdion and St. Vincent DePaul.

Chief Mills referred to a quote by Rev. Dan Price at the opening of the Betty Kwann Chin Day Center, "But by the grace of God, there goes each of us." CHIP he said is about "compassion yet controlling destructive behavior."

Eureka Main Street Director Charlotte McDonald and City Attorney Cyndi Day Wilson spoke about the education and proposed legislation plans. Several group members were wearing yellow tshirts with a heart with the words, "Eureka, the heart of Humboldt." Beige tshirts and green polos are available for $20 at City Hall. They will also be sold at Arts Alive and donated kiosks at Bayshore Mall. The money from these will benefit resources helping the homeless.

The education campaign will include PSAs recorded by Supervisor Bohn, brochures explaining CHIP's mission. Efforts are to get people to take advantage of the resources and to avert legislative consequences.

"This is about giving people a helping hand, not a handout, " said McDonald. "A handout is not enough. This money goes towards resources." Eureka Chamber of Commerce Director Don Smullins, who previously headed St. Vincent DePaul, said in his experience, "  cash goes to panhandlers, giving to resources provides food and clothing."

Chief Mills applauded Supervisors Bass and Bohn on their leadership and he said while staff like himself and DHHS director get paid, "Charlotte does not get paid to do stuff like this."

The City Attorney gave statistics on how many misdemeanors are prosecuted by the City of Eureka with several defendants having more than one case." Three proposed ordinces by the City of Eureka are: abandoned shopping cart ordinance, bicycle ordinance and vehicle panhandling ordinance. All target behavior endangering public safety.

Eureka Councilmembers Mike Newman and Chet Albin, community activist Charlie Bean were some of the other group members in attendance.