To the editor:

Recently, Wes Dahlberg, Lawrence Salvation Army administrator, told the Presbyterian Manor men about the problems The Salvation Army faced in helping the 125-200 Lawrence homeless. The Christmas kettle collections were disappointing, perhaps due to Hurricane Katrina competition. Because there are no facilities for families, women and children still sleep in cars. The shelters are crowded.

Dahlberg said that the city of Lawrence gives The Salvation Army $30,000 a year. I believe that the city of Lawrence should give much more to The Salvation Army. Many cities care for the homeless themselves. Also, the City Commission could impose a tax of 1 mill dedicated to helping the homeless and the poor. This would spread the tax among all property owners.

Several years ago, the Carnegie Library building was available to provide a comprehensive, convenient, downtown city homeless shelter continuously open to provide shelter, meals, job and other counseling, health care, etc. The Lawrence City Commission was not interested.

Christians know that the homeless are just as valuable to God as anyone else. Homelessness is not a crime. The homeless should not be arrested for sitting in a doorway or camping out. Lawrence police should be instructed to be friendly, courteous and helpful to the homeless, many of whom are mentally or physically sick. It may be necessary to revise city ordinances affecting the homeless.

I believe that the justified censure by the National Homeless Coalition was primarily against the Lawrence city government.