Editor, Manteca Bulletin,

Manteca Councilman John Harris’ intentions are good, but safety won’t be enhanced much by buying reflectors for bicyclist. (Harris suggested using drug asset seizure funds so Manteca Police could hand out reflectors to bicyclists — primarily the homeless — that ride city streets at night to improve safety.) They probably wouldn’t even install them. Every mechanized transportation vehicle is required to have lights if they run at night, why shouldn’t bikes be a part of this? Small lights are inexpensive to buy and should be the obligation of the riders, not the city.

The seized drug money should be used to help the homeless reconstruct their lives. The policy now is to drive them out of the city, by passing ordinances that eliminates their habitat. Unfortunately this city imposes laws on a part of society that needs help. I say put this money towards helping them turn their lives around. Has anyone on this council ever considered how these people endure cold without shelter? We get a bit uncomfortable and we jump up and turn the heater on. These people use old blankets and sleep in cold dumpsters or huddle in crevices of old buildings.

It’s not uncommon to see people picking up cigarette butts and scavenging for uneaten food in garbage cans. How would you feel, if you had that kind of life to look forward to everyday?

We need to help people that wants to turn their lives around, not imposing laws that hurts them.

Fleener Richards

Manteca