Hacker News Reader

> Yes, a part of that might involve involuntary commitment to an institution (though CA has lost its ability to do that for the most part), but... damn, "wall these people off from the rest of society"? That's pretty heartless.

Aren’t you agreeing here in all but tone?

View on HN

Not really. The parent's suggestion, taken at face value, is to simply isolate the "bad" homeless people from the rest of us. Nowhere is there a suggestion of rehabilitation and reintegration.

Not to mention that I'd expect only the worst cases would require institutionalization. Many with behavioral problems could likely be helped greatly with regular therapy sessions and possibly some medication. No need to put them in an institution for any amount of time.

I don't think so. There is a huge difference between "wall them off from society" and "wall them off from society and help them". And nwallin is quite explicit in that he only wants to help the "good" homeless.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com