To the editor:

The Dec. 14 Journal-World’s headline read: “Homeless see camp as alternative to jail.” On the humorous side, the homeless, freezing in tents, might see the advantage of breaking the law in order to be well fed in a warm jail.

I agree with Janein Cardin whose letter to the editor of Feb. 9, 2003, stated: “We need a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week shelter where the homeless can get the counseling services they need to regain their lives. This kind of shelter is called a comprehensive shelter.” In New Zealand the government provides homeless not only with good food and shelter but also with job counseling and help in getting a job.

Some time ago, the City Commission established a task force to study how other cities deal with the problem of homelessness. If this task force has reported back to the City Commission, the public should be informed concerning the recommendations of the task force.

A revamped Carnegie building offers an ideal location for a comprehensive shelter for the homeless. Let the City Commission act now to give this Christmas present to the homeless of Lawrence.

John A. Bond,

Lawrence