Signs Should Say: Public Restrooms Available at Library, Police Station, City Hall

In my blog of July 11th, I wrote about the La Mesa Parking Commission leaning toward recommending to the La Mesa City Council the use of approximately $200,000 of parking meter funds toward the installation of two public toilets.

In my blog I raised concerns of the public toilets attracting a larger homeless population (La Mesa's homeless population has doubled since last year), graffiti and criminal activity. I also expressed my opinion that public toilets would not increase revenue for the merchants or city, would cost the city or merchants maintenance expenses and $200,000 could be better spent cleaning/beautifying the Village.

As a follow up to the article, please consider the following:

The La Mesa Village area already has at least 18 public toilets: Eight at the La Mesa Public Library, six at the La Mesa Police Station Lobby and four at the outdoor public restrooms at La Mesa City Hall right outside Council Chambers.

Fourteen of these are brand new, all of them are clean and well-maintained.

I highly recommend Village Merchants replace their “No Public Restrooms” signs with “Public Restrooms Available at Library, Police Station & City Hall on Allison.”

This would be a public service and would also remove what many shoppers/diners consider negative signage (never a good idea with people spending money in your shop!)

It is also worthy of note that with the exception of parks and beaches, almost every city in San Diego County does NOT offer public bathrooms. This includes La Jolla, Mission Hills, Downtown Ramona, Cedros Shopping District of Solana Beach, Hillcrest, North Park, South Park, University Heights, Normal Heights, Del Mar, Downtown El Cajon, Julian, Alpine, Coronado, Kensington, etc.

Downtown San Diego has a public bathroom which has set hours and a full-time attendant when open. The porta-potties throughout the city are plastered in graffiti and are hubs for vagrants loitering.