[Note from the Editor: This is about Christmas, but regards people we should all be aware of year round.]
I have had my share of heartaches and rewards
during my 30+ years in law enforcement. Most of
the heartaches came from my days as a kid-cop in
Los Angeles County. And, most of my rewards
come from being a seasoned-cop in Morro Bay. I
am amazed at how some folks respond to the
needs of our homeless, who are nonetheless,
Citizens of Morro Bay. It is the holiday season and
most of us are snuggled warmly in our homes,
surrounded by loving family, lots of food, colorful
packages and hope for the future. For us, this is a
wonderful and magical time of year. However, for
an invisible segment of our society, these times
bring the misery of cold, wet weather, loneliness
and despair.
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There are homeless
folks who aimlessly
traverse up and down
the Highway 1 corridor.
They are the ones we
see standing with signs
along our roadways.
They beg for money
just to get them
through another day or to another place on the
map. Then, there are the homeless folks who live
and work, when they can, in Morro Bay. These are
citizens as much as you and I are. Some have lived
in Morro Bay for 15 to 20 years. As the Homeless
Liaison for the Morro Bay Police Department, I
advocate for and check the needs of all unfortunate
souls who live in and pass through our city. I am
particularly attached to the folks who live year-
round in their humble Morro Bay encampments. I
learn as much from them as they, hopefully, learn
from me.
I was encouraged this holiday season by the outpouring of love and concern from some of our
residents and business people. It began with
donations of quality clothing, some of which was
hand-made, from Elaine Giannini. Then, I received
a call from Paul and Christina Hewitt. They are
going through some hard times with the passing of
a family member and Christina has immersed
herself into helping the homeless. Through word-of-
mouth and the Internet, Christina has accumulated
an entire room full of new and near-new jackets,
pants, rain gear and children's clothing. She has
accumulated so much that whatever I could not
use, she is taking to the San Luis Obispo Homeless
Shelter. As generous as these gifts are, I quickly
run out. I must balance the needs of our homeless
with our limited storage space. However, thanks to
Elaine and Christina, I always have an emergency
jacket, blanket or even a $5 bill for someone in
need.
Some donations come from folks living out of the
area. I thank Pomona Police Detective (ret) Ray
Outhier and his wife Phyllis, who are readers of
this newsletter. They live in the Chino area. They
sent a personal gift, which I immediately applied to
the winter needs of our homeless citizens.
Morro Bay Police Chaplain Randy Ponder, who
represents the kind folks at Rock Harbor Christian
Fellowship, rides along with me on patrol most
Fridays. Along with my law enforcement duties,
Randy and I get involved in a lot of "social work." I
have seen Randy buy tires for an indigent man
driving on threads. I have seen Randy pay for a
night's lodging in a local motel for a homeless man
trying to survive a windy, rainy night. Randy uses
money set aside by his church for just these
purposes. In addition, Randy and his parishioners
provide wonderful, hot, Friday night dinners to
several homeless sites in Morro Bay. The meals
are lovingly prepared
in the church's own
kitchen and delivered
by
compassionate
church members.
The
heroes
keep
coming, even as I write
this. I was amazed
when Dan and Janne' Reddell of Bayshore
Realty called me and told me they had brand-new
jackets, long underwear, and other items waiting for
me to pick up. Lea Cowley, of Bayshore Realty donated much-needed children's toys for a very
special 3-year-old.
Items donated by Police Volunteer Doug Riddell,
were a large, dome tent and folding camp chairs.
The timing of this donation could not have been
more perfect. A homeless man in his early 20's,
and his mother in her 50's, just arrived in town with
few resources. The man almost immediately got a
day-labor job on the bay, but they desperately
needed shelter. They had a small, two-person tent
that they shared. The large dome tent came at the
perfect time and will provide them temporary
shelter until they can re-organize and get back on
their feet. When I passed out these items, I was
deeply touched by the gratitude expressed. I was
also touched by the love and caring of these folks
when they shared the items or went without in favor
of their neighbor. What lessons they are teaching
me.
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Friday, 12-16-2011, was a magic moment for us.
Chaplain Randy Ponder and his congregation at
Rock Harbor Christian Fellowship furnished
pizza to about 15 "Citizens of the Creek." The pizza
cost came from a special fund with a generous
discount provided by Domino's Pizza on Main
Street. Christmas items were passed out while the
"citizens" enjoyed the meal. Retired Morro Bay
Police Sergeant John Gajdos and his wife,
Elaine Giannini, along with their friends, Cindy
and Doug Hankin, arrived on the scene. Donned
in Santa hats, John, Elaine, Cindy and Doug
passed out brand new backpacks, sleeping bags
and other much-needed items. Council Member
Nancy Johnson also sent much-needed items.
Again, on Friday, 12-23-2011 and Christmas Eve,
Elaine, John, Cindy, Doug and the gang from Rock
Harbor Christian Fellowship provided food, hot
chocolate and more gifts to the very appreciative
"Citizens of the Creek."
These were ‘family affairs' with playful dogs and
children in attendance. There was a lot of laughter
and high-fiving as the "citizens" received their gifts.
We all left with the warm glow of love and
satisfaction felt when
one truly makes a
difference.
I could go on and on about my experiences and my appreciation to our community for their generosity — I am simply overwhelmed. What I see
in Morro Bay's homeless population gives me hope,
especially after watching the greed and corruption
that parade before me on the nightly news. Just
remember, we ARE our brother's keeper, "and
there, but for fortune, goes you and I."
To subscribe to the Morro Bay Peace Officer's Association Community Newsletter, send email to Richard Hannibal
