Knowing what to do – if anything – about occupation of public spaces by the homeless is a complex issue.

Most of us feel compassion for these people, but few can offer viable solutions to both their needs and the public interest in keeping these spaces safe and uncluttered.

The latest flap over a noticeable increase of homeless individuals congregating in Davis Sq. has many of us debating what would be the best way to handle the situation.

Some propose that the police should step in and disperse these people, while others argue that compassionate intervention is the better way to go, by way of seeking to establish more shelters, work programs, etc. Yet others say they are not bothered by it at all and express the opinion that these people should just be left alone, since they don’t seem to be acting in any aggressive or destructive manner.

One thing is certain, these folks have a right to exist and that existence needs to exist somewhere. If they are moved out of Davis they will simply have to go to some other part of the city, and then somewhere else if they are driven away from there. It’s a Whack–A–Mole situation.

In a perfect world we might have better solutions right at hand. Shelters and jobs programs need funding. At this particular time the American economy is already strained to the near breaking point. And yet for years the same issue has persisted, in good economic times and bad. It’s been a very long time, in fact.

Clearly, an effective and equitable solution is long overdue. Let’s work on it.