For Bill Walton, the homeless crisis has become personal

I work in downtown, I get off at 12:am in the morning five days a week. On 10/15/22/ time 1:15am I was struck on my right forearm while riding home on my bicycle by a homeless person that was most likely mental and on meth. As I maintained my grip and kept riding I noticed another person waiting in the bushes, I feel that I was struck so I can fall off my bike. I continued on my way . Two days later my bike was stolen as it was secured with lock in a bike rack at my place of work . Two Days after while walking now, I see the back half of my bike sticking out of a tent. I secure my knife and secure my pepper spray and semi ran up to three male occupants in the tent .I yanked my bike out , kicked over their BBQ grill and ripped a blue tarp from an adjacent shelter after I drilled one right on the mouth knocking him down and out. Now I know what I did was stupid and high risk , but I'm a fourth generation san diego native and in the streets you can't ask for your stuff back , you have to take it and I did because I worked for my bike .I'm convinced that downtown and across the street from Roosevelt Jr high-where I attended) consists of all stolen bikes because none of the homeless work. All this in the same area as this video. BILL WALTON FOR MAYOR !

This is paradise compared to what we deal with in L.A. County.

Proud of Bill Walton. Use your voice and stature to enlighten the people and expose the Political hacks everywhere.

"Safe, secure, clean environments to live, work and play in." Isn't that something everyone wants and needs? I understand the frustration. I grew up in Sacramento, I spent a lot of time along the American River - swimming, rafting, fishing... I never saw anyone living outside. Now it is everywhere, parks, sidewalks, parking lots, under the overpasses, in the medians, everywhere along the river. And then...it happened to me. I live outside. Winter is coming, nights are already cold. The bulldozers will be here on Monday. I am packing up my things and trying to find somewhere else to hide. Hoping that I won't be made to move again until spring. I have to make a shelter that is both water and windproof. I am 57 with multiple sclerosis. I am sometimes scared that I won't make it through another winter. How come there are so many people living outside? Not everyone is drug addicted or alcoholic. It takes 3 times the minimum wage working full time to make enough to qualify for a crappy rental!!! If you are not fortunate to have family and friends to fall back on, you're done. I know the longer you live outside society, the less likely you will ever make it back.

You go Bill! I so love San Diego. At least I used to. Praying you guys restore this formerly incredible city. Let me know when it’s safe to come back.

As a neighbor of Walton's I can vouch for what he is saying. It is an absolute disgrace what Gloria has allowed to happen. I have filled out countless "Get it Done' reports for these encampments. The police respond that they have been directed to not enforce the anti-encampment laws that are on the books. It is outrageous!

I met Bill maybe 10 years ago and I often say he’s my favorite human. This backs that up

Calling them addicts yet ? Let us see. The first step in solving a problem is to first honestly recognize the problem.

What's the solution? I think we'd all love to hear it. Thanks Bill.

Bill was my neighbor in Hillcrest. We have since fled to the mountains of western North Carolina due to everything he said in this story. Listen to bill he makes absolute sense

Bill, I get it and I agree completely. So what is the solution that you are proposing?

I was just in downtown SD. On one street nothing but bodies lying on the concrete sleeping. Then on another street people in tents. It has gotten really bad to the point that Im afraid to go downtown. My heart goes out to the homeless. We need more resources that are expedited so that people can get help and not have to wait so long for housing, food ect. Homelessness is like cancer, it dosent care who you are, rich, poor, working or not. When it takes hold it will spread and for some they may never get out of, especially when you need to make 3 to 4 times the rent to move in.

WE ALL SUPPORT YOUR VISION BILL, THE PARK SHOULD BE CLEANED UP NO CAMP[NG EVER !!!!!!!

I'm so sorry to hear this Bill. We all deserve better.....

Years ago myself and two buddies snuck into a party at his house. We were 14. He confronted us and he said no alcohol or drugs other than that we could stay. What a stud Bill is. Ill never forget that night.

I use to live downtown near Petco. Couldn't take it anymore and sold my place. Haven't been back since. I use to take my dog all around where Bill is showing in the video. So sad to see what's happening to SD.

It's a fact that San Diego's homeless situation has escalated beyond what the City and County is willing to make an effort to fix. To many times we blame the homeless as if one day the homeless will solve its own problem.

I used to live for many years across the street from Balboa Park where I ran daily, played tennis, badminton in the federal building and had a zoo membership that I enjoyed greatly. It became very dangerous to run in the park with so many people sleeping there. It's so sad to see how it's become such a mess. Keep up the fight Bill.

Lived in San Diego from 2012-2018 in Pacific beach and the crime and violence and homelessness downtown by Horton plaza and the Padre stadium is frightening

"Parks are a critical element of a functioning society". Well said Bill! Now more than ever we need parks. The larger and safer the better!