The right thing is to come in here, save those who need saving, first and foremost, save them.

But then, to realistically understand that these sidewalks will continue to lure people to them until we say you can't be here.

Now, if someone is willing to take shelter, if someone is willing to go to a place where services

can be provided, God bless them, let's line up those buses and let's take them.

But to those who say, no, I'm fine here. Thank you very much.

We have to be strong

and we have to say this

sidewalk is not

and will never be

an appropriate place for habitation.

You cannot stay here.

Thank you. you cannot stay here. Welcome to the Unspeak-Easy podcast, the podcast, formerly known as the unspeakable,

for conversations that are surprising and thought-provoking without being rage-baity.

Our motto for this year, less culture wars, more culture.

I am your host, Megan Dow.

As you have probably heard me say, if you listen to this podcast with any regularity,

I am planning on covering the subject of homelessness a lot more this year. A few weeks ago,

I interviewed investigative reporter Sam Canonas, who has covered the Mexican drug trade and the

opioid crisis. And that reporting led him to do more investigation on how new forms of street

drugs, particularly methamphetamine, have radically

altered the face of homelessness, particularly here in L.A. From Sam's podcast, I discovered the woman

who is my guest today. She is Estella Lopez, and she is one of the most honest and informed speakers on the subject of homelessness

...