Malcolm Lutu and Paul Kelly accused the ACLU of being “obstructionist” by “stop[ping] legitimate efforts to keep our communities clean and safe” (“Police officers urge action on homeless, addiction, mentally ill crises,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, May 26).

It’s unfortunate any law enforcement leader would see protecting constitutional rights as “obstructionist.”

What we know is that the best way to address houselessness is through methods that are simultaneously effective, compassionate and constitutionally sound. “Sweeps” and taking houseless people’s property fail all these tests.

We have seen advocates for the houseless community form true relationships that build trust and help voluntarily connect people with help. We’ve seen communities support the houseless folks in their midst and create neighborhood-based solutions with them. This works. Criminalizing poverty doesn’t. And the ACLU is here to make sure that as government addresses our affordable housing crisis it respects both the Constitution and the people it protects.

Joshua Wisch

Executive director, ACLU of Hawaii

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