Homeless People Drummed Out of San Diego's Downtown Library

“Where, in fact, is a legitimate location for us?” asked Kate McClellan as she appeared before the city council on Tuesday, October 12. McClellan is a middle-aged homeless woman that previously sought shelter in the San Diego Main Library, located on E street. She said she once had to spend a night out in the rain after being told to leave the library...because she didn’t know where to go.

“In the past two weeks, I’ve been asked along with everyone else to leave [the library] and not come back,” said McClellan, who sought an answer from the City as to where she could live. McClellan said that she and other homeless people would go wherever the City Council suggests.

According to McClellan, police officers get “catty” with homeless people; they threaten them with arrest and $250 illegal-lodging tickets.

“If I had $250, I would be in Motel 6, not at the library,” said McClellan. “I want to cooperate with the City. If you are just clear with me and tell me what the hours are, the legitimate [alternative shelter] locations until the [winter homeless] tent opens...that’s what I’m requesting.”

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