Point Reyes Light - November 26, 2003

Bolinas asks county aid in handling town drunks

By Andrew Pridgen

Although Bolinas for more than three decades has been tolerant of its homeless residents, a handful of them have overtaxed the town’s patience.

During a meeting in Bolinas, 30 townspeople called upon sheriff’s deputies, county Health and Human Service staff, and Supervisor Steve Kinsey to do something about downtown street people, some of whom abuse alcohol or drugs.

Moderating the meeting was Sheriff’s Lt. Ritch Ginnodo, commander of the West Marin sheriff’s substation, who afterward described residents as speaking with a "unified voice, looking for solutions."

Ginnodo said that while Bolinas is as tolerant of unconventional people as it ever was, the issue "goes beyond compassion for people who are between good situations. Now it’s becoming a public-safety issue."

Residents have pinpointed six homeless people who are particularly disruptive or threatening downtown, all of whom show signs of drug or alcohol abuse.

The six usually congregate in front of the community center or the library, and during the summer their numbers grow, residents said.

The residents, however, were emphatic that the authorities should not simply remove from Bolinas people seeking shelter; the street people should instead receive some kind of help, townspeople said.

Calling for help from the Sheriff’s Office and other county agencies was a last-resort for some, but a necessary step nonetheless, said Bolinas resident Stuart Chapman.

"To my mind it comes down to a delicate balance between respect and tolerance," said Chapman, who also uses the name StuArt. "Unfortunately, people’s patience is wearing thin.... Bolinas has always been known for its colorful, outlaw image, but when does permissiveness become co-dependent?"

Lt. Ginnodo assured upset residents who wanted "action now" that deputies have not been "looking the other way...

"We have tried to be as compassionate as the community wants us to be," said the sheriff’s lieutenant. "If it’s time to find some other alternatives and get these people the help they need. We’ll do that."

The street people are also becoming more aggressive, townspeople complained. Some residents said children are afraid to visit to the community center, use the library, or go into the public restrooms downtown "for fear of running into these guys," Ginnodo noted.

Because the street people around the community center seem menacing to some townspeople, "they’re very concerned that all parts of the community are not having access to the community center," Ginnodo told The Light Monday.

"The majority of bad stuff is related to substance abuse. There are parameters with which we deal with that. Yes, we can take them to jail, but we can take them other places too. We want to get the people – who really do want to get the help – whatever they need to get them off the cycle."

In addition to Supervisor Kinsey and West Marin Sheriff’s Cmdr. Ginnodo, representatives of county Health and Human Services were present and told residents ways to help people in need – such as notifying therapist Alison Murphy at the Family Institute of West Marin, 663-9441.

Nor is the institute the only option. "We have several programs besides that are available to people in West Marin," DJ Pierce, an administrator for the county’s alcohol and drug department, told The Light Tuesday. "They can talk to anyone at Point Reyes Station multi-service center, or direct them to a 12-step meeting.

"A hotline number is available through Bay Area Community Resources, 444-5580. Another option would be to contact Novato-based Homeward Bound, which provides services for homeless, at 457-2114."

Lt. Ginnodo praised Bolinas residents for taking time to learn how to help less fortunate members of their town and said this reflects Bolinas’ being a "great community." He acknowledged, however, that the townpeople’s attitudes toward drug addicts may be evolving.

"It is possible to a certain extent the complexion of the community is changing a little bit," Ginnodo told The Light Monday. "I don’t think residents feel it’s proper that people go there to escape the real world. Bolinas is one of the best towns around as far as community involvement goes. Crimes that are associated with alcoholism and substance are taking a toll on the whole community."

At the request of residents at the meeting, deputies will begin keeping a closer eye on street people who were identified as needing help. "It’s a really sad thing that some [of the homeless] are so disenfranchised," said Lt. Ginnodo. "People in Bolinas are motivated to get these folks help, and that’s what’s important."

Point Reyes Light Cover | News | Coastal Traveler