good neighbors

One of the things I like most about West Seattle is that it is a caring community, especially when it comes to our children. I appreciate and share Sally Hardwick's concern for kid's safety (letter, Nov. 28 issue).

Fauntleroy Church UCC, of which I'm a member (and not writing on official behalf of), recently explored whether to host Tent City 3 this winter. One of the first things the Outreach Ministry explored was Tent City's safety record. We spoke with Tent City residents, leaders of SHARE (the umbrella organization), and many former Seattle area church hosts, as well as reading related articles and police/city government reports. You can imagine how reassuring it was to learn about Tent City's stringent code of conduct, its remarkable safety record, and the positive, transformative nature of previous church hosts' experiences.

Like Fauntleroy, many church hosts have on-site or nearby preschools, and all reported that Tent City posed no problem whatsoever. In fact, at some locations Tent City is asked to patrol preschool grounds before and after school hours, establishing a vigilant anti-crime presence. Parents and teachers appreciate the "extra eyes" Tent City provides. Classes often visit and develop friendships with the residents during their stay.

We also learned that many Tent City residents are parents themselves. Although children are not permitted to reside at Tent City, folks there are parents of grown children, expecting their first child, or separated from wives and children because too few shelters take intact families. Other Tent City parents can't afford both an apartment and child custody payments-living in community at Tent City while providing for their kids is a safer choice than taking to the streets alone.

My younger daughter accompanied me on a visit to Tent City last spring as a fifth-grader. Having met several of the residents, she was very concerned for their safety when considering a potential stay in our church's parking lot because of a recent burglary at the church and several car break-ins in recent years.

Knowing that our children would be as safe as children ever are, I would like to see West Seattle churches and neighbors not fear to include our homeless brothers and sisters in those whose safety we wish to ensure.

Donna Pierce

West Seattle