Kate Monroe dodged used hypodermic needles, discarded food containers and human waste as she navigated an area of San Diego known by locals as the Bottoms. The Marine Corps veteran and business owner was there to talk to as many of the city’s homeless residents as possible, including one woman who said San Diego makes living on the streets “not that hard.”
“Usually we’re low income and when you’re low income, you get free phones, free food, free clothing, there’s so many resources that are just give and give and give,” Mary said in a video Monroe shared.
“I think we’re spoiled to be honest with you,” Mary added. “My sister’s like, ‘Where do I sign up?’”
‘DOESN’T LOOK LIKE IT’S IN AMERICA’: CEO WEIGHS IN ON SAN DIEGO HOMELESS CRISIS:
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But life on the streets is far from rosy for others. Monroe heard countless stories of sexual assault, robberies and brutal beatings. One man seated on a camping chair on the sidewalk became emotional as he described seeing a city councilor nearby earlier in the day.
“He was not talking to any of the homeless, he wasn’t coming to us,” he said. “He can pop a tent up right next to mine, and he can stay out here for 24 hours with us. He can see what it’s like.”
“This ain’t easy, being out here,” he added, voice choked with sorrow.
Monroe is the CEO of VetComm, a San Diego business with a nonprofit arm that helps homeless veterans obtain disability compensation and transition into housing. She said she went to speak with those living on the streets of San Diego and nearby Oceanside in May in order to gain a better understanding of the city’s homeless crisis.
“I have witnessed what I think is some of the worst homelessness in the country,” Monroe told Fox News, adding that she has observed the deterioration firsthand since moving to San Diego 20 years ago.
The construction of Petco Park, where the San Diego Padres played their first game in 2004, marked a turning point for the city, Monroe said. As…
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