Politics & Government

POLL: Should Homelessness Get Special Attention from Richmond Heights?

Last week, several people suggested the city might host a St. Louis County homeless shelter or encourage churches to open their doors. Vote in our poll to tell us how you feel about the issue.

Should Richmond Heights be the home of a St. Louis County homeless shelter? That's what a number of people suggested May 7 at during a meeting of City Council.

The Rev. Larry Rice of St. Louis city-based New Life Evangelistic Center said the city could also take leadership by making zoning provisions that would encourage Richmond Heights churches to open their doors to the homeless.

His comments and those of the others came in light of the Anna Brown case. The homeless woman died last year in a Richmond Heights jail cell because of medical complications, an incident that sparked outrage after it was first reported by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

"I believe that Richmond Heights could become the champions, the leaders," said Rice, who commented that he has spoken recently with St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley about the issue of homelessness.

Mayor James Beck said the city is participating in regional dialogue about homelessness.

"We have discussed the homeless situation, and we believe it's a regional community issue," Beck said during the meeting.

Tell us how you feel about the issue by voting in the poll attached to this article. You can also read other articles about Anna Brown on Patch:


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