Ritter Center Director misleads public about Low Barrier Shelter
Channel: Save Marinwood
Date: 05/08/2016

Dick Spotswood, Marin IJ columnist asks Cia Byrnes about the type of homeless shelter.  Cia responds that it is a "low barrier shelter" because it "doesn't cost money to stay there"  It appears to be deliberately misleading to suggest that the REST program which selects clients will be the same as a HUD defined "low barrier shelter" where clients may be accepted despite alcohol and drug use and criminal history (with some exceptions). While many people are supportive of the mission of Ritter Center, the concern is about criminal behavior and illegal drug and alcohol use spilling out into the neighborhoods like we see in downtown San Rafael.