Police Oppose Plan to Feed Needy in Park

The Costa Mesa Police Department is opposing an application by an Irvine church to feed the homeless at Lions Park.

New Harvest Church wants to send volunteers to the park at 570 W. 18th St. on Thursday evenings to serve meals. The purpose, church officials said, is to help the city’s hungry become self-sufficient.

“We fully realize that neither we or the City of Costa Mesa caused the homeless problem, and surely we cannot make it disappear,” church members wrote in an application to the city. “What we can do is to help get them back on their feet.”

Police say they oppose the plan because there are already ample opportunities for the homeless to find meals at Lions Park and citywide.

Isaiah II, a Santa Ana group, distributes food to the homeless at the park on weekends, Share Our Selves on Superior Avenue is one of the county’s biggest food banks, and Someone Cares Soup Kitchen on 19th Street provides daily meals.

City parks commissioners plan to review the proposal today and make a recommendation to the City Council.

Also on the agenda is an application by BOUNCE Underage Nightclub to continue holding Friday night dances at the Neighborhood Community Center at 1845 Park Ave. The year-old club for people younger than 21 does not serve or allow alcohol, but sometimes attracts gang activity, according to police.

The Parks, Recreation Facilities and Parkways Commission will meet at 6:30 tonight at City Hall, 77 Fair Drive.

Information: (714) 754-5300.