Letter: Don’t ignore the homeless

Friday, Aug. 8, 2003 | 4:50 a.m.

I am a Canadian citizen who visits your great city of Las Vegas as a tourist at least three times a year. As for the report issued by the National Coalition for the Homeless, referring to Las Vegas as the No. 1 meanest city -- I don't think so at all. I would offer this, however: Just pull together everyone and come up with a plan to help the homeless.

We live about one hour away from Toronto. It, too, is a great city but does have its share of homeless people. Toronto does not totally handle the problem, but every little bit helps. The city often has food drives for the less fortunate. The city also has warming shelters, with hot food, blankets and donated clothing. In the summer, it has cooling shelters, so that the homeless can escape the heat and humidity and get re-hydrated with cool drinks.

Our most recent trip to your city was last month. I have always been aware of the homeless in your city and they do not bother me at all. But as I watched them walk around in 115-degree heat, I couldn't help but wonder what, if anything, was being done about it. I think it's quite inhumane to just ignore them.

JO-ANN HAMPSON St. Catharines, Ontario

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