Page 4 - ATD20MAR2023

A4 U.S. NEWS
Monday 20 March 2023
California to seek beds for mental health, drug treatment

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Califor- “clear responsibilities, ac-
nia voters would decide countability and funding for
whether to fund a major all levels of government” to
expansion of housing and address the homelessness
treatment for residents suf- problem.
fering from mental illness State Sen. Susan Talaman-
and addiction, under the tes Eggman, D-Stockton,
latest proposal by Gov. will introduce the measure,
Gavin Newsom to address which would also earmark
the state’s homelessness money to house more than
crisis. 10,000 homeless veterans
Newsom announced Sun- across the state, according
day that he will ask allies in to the statement.
the Democratic-controlled Newsom unveiled details of
Legislature for a measure the plan during a stop Sun-
on the 2024 ballot to au- day afternoon in San Diego.
thorize funding to build The governor is in the midst
residential facilities where of a five-day statewide tour
up to 12,000 people a year that he’s using to highlight
could live and be treated. his major policy goals. The
The plan is the latest by the tour replaced a traditional
governor who took office State of the State address.
in 2019 vowing to own the On Thursday, Newsom an-
issue of homelessness in a California Gov. Gavin Newsom discusses his plans to build 1,200 small homes across the state nounced a plan to spend
state where an estimated to reduce homelessness, during the first of a four-day tour of the state in Sacramento Calif., on about $30 million to build
171,000 were unhoused last Thursday, March 16, 2023. Associated Press 1,200 small homes across
year. the state to help house
The governor called the 40 million people, has near- The initiative would be par- than $1 million to fund men- people living on the streets.
plan the next step in how ly one-third of the nation’s tially funded by general ob- tal health services. Some The homes can be assem-
California expands services homeless population, and ligation bonds that would lawmakers complained bled quickly and cost a
for unhoused people, es- their numbers are growing raise between $3 billion that money from the initia- fraction of what it takes to
pecially those with psycho- much faster than in other and $5 billion to go toward tive bypassed those who build permanent housing.
logical and substance use states, according to an construction of “campus- needed it the most, and Federal courts have ruled
disorders. analysis of federal data by style” facilities along with Newsom’s office said the cities can’t clear homeless
“We have to address and the Public Policy Institute of smaller homes and long- new version would improve encampments if there are
come to grips with the real- California. term residential settings, oversight for counties. no shelter beds available.
ity of mental health in this Tent encampments have Newsom said. The California State Asso- Newsom will travel Mon-
state and our nation. The popped up on sidewalks In addition, it would over- ciation of Counties, rep- day to Imperial County to
question is, what can we and under freeway over- haul California’s Mental resenting all 58 counties in discuss how California is
do more and do better?” passes, and people in clear Health Services Act, an California, said in a state- poised to become a global
Newsom said at a news mental health crisis are initiative approved by vot- ment Sunday that it would leader in electric vehicles
conference. a common sight on city ers in 2004 that charges a work with the governor and clean energy, his of-
California, home to nearly streets. 1% tax on incomes greater and lawmakers to establish fice said.q

Miami Beach sets spring break curfew after 2 fatal shootings

an additional curfew likely and many city-sponsored injured, sending crowds
to be put in place Thurs- activities meant to keep scrambling in fear from res-
day through next Monday, people busy. taurants and clubs into the
March 27. The curfew main- “We don’t ask for spring streets as gunshots rang
ly affects South Beach, the break in our city. We don’t out. Police detained one
most popular party loca- want spring break in our person at the scene and
tion for spring breakers. city. It’s too rowdy, it’s too found four firearms, but no
The release said the two much disorder and it’s too other details have been
separate shootings Friday difficult to police,” Gelber made available.
night and early Sunday said. Under the curfew, people
that left two people dead The latest shooting hap- must leave businesses be-
and “excessively large and pened about 3:30 a.m. fore midnight, although ho-
unruly crowds” led to the Sunday on Ocean Drive in tels can operate later only
decision. The city commis- South Beach, according in service to their guests.
sion plans a meeting Mon- to Miami Beach police. A The city release said restau-
Crowds gather at Ocean Drive and 8th during spring break on day to discuss potential fur- male was shot and died rants can stay open only
Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Miami Beach, Fla. ther restrictions next week. later at a hospital, and of- for delivery and the curfew
Associated Press Miami Beach Mayor Dan ficers chased down a sus- won’t apply to residents,
Gelber said in a video mes- pect on foot, police said on people going to and from
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) — crowds that police have sage posted Sunday that Twitter. Their identities were work, emergency services
Miami Beach officials im- had difficulty controlling. the crowds and presence not released, nor were any and hotel guests. Some
posed a curfew beginning The city said in a news re- of numerous firearms has possible charges. roads will be closed off and
Sunday night during spring lease the curfew would “created a peril that can- In the Friday night shoot- arriving hotel guests may
break after two fatal shoot- be from 11:59 p.m. Sunday not go unchecked” despite ing, one male victim was have to show proof of their
ings and rowdy, chaotic until 6 a.m. Monday, with massive police presence killed and another seriously reservations.q