Boardwalk Mentality.
1/30/2021 Journaling. For My Mental peace release.
I overlook the Venice Beach boardwalk to see tourists, vendors, bicyclists, children with their parents, and mentally unstable, possible-more-so on drugs, vagabonds or better known out here as homeless. Making a phone call to the police does nothing but put their eyes on me with no cause, yet the call was made for a woman rolling around in the dirt, getting up to slam her body down, shake and pull her hair out and then scream profanities at no one in particular.
I asked the officer what they would do; I called because she was self-harming. “She’s not harming anyone.” This was my description already that she was self-harming in public and distraught. My emotions improve as the officer says, “She doesn’t show signs leading to mental instability.”
Perhaps this is more of a trigger for me since my mother was unstable and addicted to whatever upper, downer, and head changer she could handle. She could never stay straight in her mental state, much less emotional. I do not let my own emotions be the cause of her story, though, this is just a part of being a human who gives a damn, and I see this is not okay for a person who is genuinely not healthy in their mind and body, to not have the support of the system in any way shape or form.
The other day I made a call to the police at night due to a violent fight happening on the boardwalk; the phone rang for 20 minutes, and no response.
As I write this, the calm sets in. This is the world of Venice, the “tough it out” city where artists try to thrive in the ocean of energy, people experiencing homelessness struggle with their internal challenges daily and the lack of support from a government that shows no proper awareness. The resolution is city-operated, federally-funded mental care facilities. We have a program called Venice Safety Team that works during the daylight hours to be of action for the community. After receiving a return call from one of their team members, I feel heard and pray the woman is seen and brought some peace from however they can help.
This writing is my therapy at the moment since I feel so much. I had to cry, walking away from the cop, feeling angry yet unable to stand for what needed to be said. Walking away from someone in a state where they can NOT control their movements, mind, or behavior is NOT okay.
I feel so much.
I feel frustrated with the two cops that didn’t discuss more of a solution with me; I thought they didn’t care or give me the option to have a voice.
I want to do more. But how can I do more when there are limited resources readily available?
The current situation is a group of the Venice Safety team standing in a grass area observing her. I wonder if they can do anything. Suppose they are professionals who have a background in bringing some ability to calm a person with madness, whether from mental instability, lack of medication, or drug use.
I am currently one of those people who call.
This should be different from where my energy is directed. I need peace of mind.
Time to be with Pearle and Miele. [Two amazing dogs I care for call me their fairy godmother.]
Mind. my own. Business.
