Downtown La Mesa's Homeless Problem About to Get a Lot Worse

La Mesa Village’s homeless population is growing. There used to be a couple of regulars, now there are about two dozen and that number could burgeon if La Mesa Parking Commissioners Jim Wieboldt and Lynn McCrea get the public toilets they are pursuing with parking meter funds. 

The La Mesa Parking Commission, an advisory board for La Mesa City Council, is discussing installing two public bathrooms in La Mesa Village. One prospective spot would be at the bus stop on Allison and Palm; the other would be at the La Mesa Village trolley stop.

These toilets, called “Portland Loos,” cost between $80,000 - $90,000 each, and about $20,000 each to install. This $200,000 expenditure does not cover cleaning, policing, maintenance, an attendant, supplies, graffiti or trash removal. 

These public toilets, at best, are a waste of parking meter money that could be put to such better use (flowers, sidewalk power washing, decorative lighting). At worst, these toilets will attract loitering and vagrants and become sites for criminal activity and blight. (See attached photo of graffiti tags on and around current La Mesa Village porta potties.)

At last month’s parking commission meeting, I expressed these concerns and was stunned by Commissioner Wieboldt’s denial of La Mesa Village’s homeless problem. He announced to the committee, staff and audience, “Don’t know where Commissioner Lothian is getting her homeless data.” 

I get my homeless “data” from my eyesight. 

It is important to note this is the same Jim Wieboldt who, last fall, claimed he drove for four hours fruitlessly searching La Mesa for graffiti but couldn’t find any despite dozens of gang tags within walking distance of his business on Date Avenue, La Mesa. (See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADj7Alu_wcc) 

For Wieboldt or anyone else who cannot or will not concede our homeless problem, please see attached photos I took over the last week.

It is beyond irresponsible to be in a position of influence (heading a commission that makes spending recommendations of hundreds of thousands of dollars in meter money) while ignoring reality or promoting misinformation. 

These public toilets will not beautify the Village. They will not bring in one more shopper or diner. They are not revenue generators. They will not improve our image and could very well do the opposite. 

Very soon the La Mesa Parking Commission will vote on recommending the purchase of these toilets to the City Council. The Commission welcomes public feedback. Please write to the Parking Commission, City of La Mesa, 8130 Allison Ave., La Mesa, CA 91942 or feel free to attend any of our monthly meetings held at City Council Chambers on the third Tuesday of the month, 5:30-6:30. Public allowed to address the commission during audience participation.