When you have a problem like homelessness you must define the cause and do something about it before it gets worse.
There are multiple causes, but drugs and unemployment likely prevail.
Drugs are almost impossible to stop yet unemployment could be reduced right here in timber country.
Our federal forces [park] are almost shut down as there is little staff remaining to manage thousands of acres.
They are managed as an unfunded national park in need of access to control fires, provide recreation, reduce fuels, improve stream habitat and maintain buildings.
We have a blueprint to follow left by the Civilian Conservation Corps program of the 1930s during the Great Depression.
It provided support for men seeking a future that, in part, enabled them to acquire some dignity, a work ethic and the job skills needed to seek future opportunities.
You may learn from the past or ignore it at your own peril.
There is no valid reason that such a program could not be recreated on the Olympic Peninsula.
It would require a great deal of research, discussion, cash and commitment.
Failing this, we would be assured of no improvement in the job situation which can only get worse.
Eventually, the homeless will attempt to invade your property and camp there until overworked law enforcement officers arrive.
Then these poor and helpless people would just move elsewhere to set up their shelters.
This is a crisis.
This is just one solution but it has a precedent.
The present course is unacceptable.
Glenn Wiggins,
Port Angeles