In response to “City needs to address homeless problem” (Auburn Reporter, Aug. 21):

Connie Love, you are right about the growing homeless population in Auburn. I have lived near Les Gove Park for nearly 30 years, and the homeless problem has become so bad that people are afraid to go to the park, library and senior center, day or night, especially after two homeless people were recently killed there.

Homeless people hang out at the Sounder Transit Station every day. Homeless people live in the unmanaged thicket on the south side of the Eagles Hall. There used to be a clothing drop-off near this location that was removed. I believe it was because homeless people tried to use it for shelter.

Homelessness is pervasive and seen all over Auburn. I’ve asked Auburn Police what they do to help the problem. I was told that they urge transients to go to Seattle. Why should Seattle be dealing with our hometown problem? All towns have poor and transient peoples among them.

I can remember a few years back when Kent and Renton complained about Auburn sending our homeless to their cities to pan handle, etc. Auburn needs to step up and think of some new solutions to our burgeoning problem rather than deflecting the problem somewhere else.

We all need to have a little more concern, compassion and a moral compass to guide us through the process. It is so disheartening that an average Joe will rescue an animal on the side of a road and not even make eye contact with someone in a desperate situation.

I have helped and will continue to help do what I can.

Everyone has a story. Not all homeless people are bad. Some need much more help than others. This said as the gap between the rich and the poor continues to widen.

– Pamela Basquez