At the corner of Hollywood and Highland, a video emerged showing a homeless man leaping onto the hood of a car and then shattering its windshield. This is just one among the countless scenes witnessed across Los Angeles and California where homeless individuals, grappling with addiction or mental illness, engage in property vandalism, assault people, and in some cases, even commit murder.

Therapist's Perspective

The woman who captured this distressing video happens to be a therapist dedicated to treating the unhoused. Madeleine, who preferred to be identified by her first name only, shared her thoughts. "It was clearly a cry for help. It seemed as if he had reached the end of his tether." This incident serves as a stark reminder of the complex issues faced by homeless individuals and the urgent need for appropriate support.

Adam Noel's Story

The man in the video was later identified as 30-year-old Adam Noel, who had a lengthy criminal history. He was charged with felony vandalism but was released from jail the very next day. This raises questions about the effectiveness of the justice system in dealing with homeless individuals and their underlying problems. Without proper intervention and support, such incidents are likely to continue recurring.

Non-profit's Efforts

Kerry Morrison founded Hollywood 2.0, a non-profit organization aimed at helping homeless people with mental health issues. "We don't know where he is now," Morrison said. "Our ideal scenario would be for a crisis team to be immediately mobilized to directly connect with him and provide the necessary assistance. However, even though there are numerous agencies and nonprofits in the Los Angeles area spending hundreds of millions of dollars annually on homelessness, getting these individuals the services they need and ensuring their compliance can be a challenging task."

Funding Issues

An Los Angeles County audit revealed that over $50 million in homeless funds went unaccounted for, while an Los Angeles city audit found that $513 million earmarked for homeless programs was never spent. These figures highlight the inefficiencies and mismanagement within the system. LA Mayor Karen Bass expressed her concerns, stating, "I can't envision there will be enough (services) available, but what I do hope is that there will be an increase in resources and a more coordinated approach to address this issue."

Homeless Advocates' Call

Homeless advocates, including Madeleine the therapist, have a clear message for the mayor and other politicians. "Other cities have successfully tackled this problem. We are a city filled with brilliant and creative minds. I believe we have the potential to make a significant impact and start making a dent in this issue," Madeleine said. It is essential that all stakeholders work together to find sustainable solutions and provide the necessary support to those in need.