Tamiko Rast, a prominent member of the Japantown community, shares her family's troubling encounters with homeless individuals suffering from severe mental illness and addiction. These experiences have provoked strong support for Mayor Matt Mahan's 'Responsibility to Shelter' proposal, which would allow authorities to hold homeless residents accountable for declining available shelter. Rast emphasizes the emotional toll these incidents have on the community and the necessity for effective interventions, underscoring that not all unhoused individuals pose a danger, yet many refuse the help they desperately need.
As someone who is fifth-generation Japantown, and whose grandparents returned to San Jose after World War II incarceration camps, I struggle with the decision to stay here.
We do not believe that all unhoused people are dangerous on drugs or mentally ill. But we do believe the people who need help the most are often the least likely to accept it.
These near-weekly experiences have deeply affected us emotionally and financially (and) we are exhausted and we are afraid for our safety.
the experiences of the Japantown community highlight the larger struggle of businesses and residents in dealing with homelessness and the dire need for effective solutions.
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