Comments on: $4M security fence at Visalia park blocking out neighbors https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/2025/12/04/4m-security-fence-at-visalia-park-blocking-out-neighbors/ In-depth, locally-produced coverage of the Central Valley. Mon, 07 Sep 2026 01:57:41 -0700 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1 By: Johnny https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/2025/12/04/4m-security-fence-at-visalia-park-blocking-out-neighbors/#comment-176384 Johnny Sat, 15 Aug 2026 09:48:55 +0000 https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/?p=53625#comment-176384 It's true that a couple people used to vandalize the place. Specifically the bathrooms. But they also used them to survive the blistering cold. I know that people like to dehumanize the homeless and use the worst examples of them as the standard they are all judged for. But the reality is that the homeless shelter here sucks, the job market is completely locked out for a lot of people as is the housing. Sure fencing the park made life harder for some people, but it also pushed many of the Homeless out of the edge of town and into its center more. And since they can't be there at night, now they spend more time moving around near your houses and have less chance to retain their resources, making them more desperate and more likely to do something undesirable. People don't realize that when you have no family, most people are a month Away from being without a home and not way to get one. Yes many homeless people use drugs. But really, most non homeless people use drugs too. The number of people taking painkillers and especially anxiety meds is pretty high. Everyone smokes pot or drinks now. There are a few bad actors that steal or are violent, but most of them aren't. Alot of them are people who society let fall through 6the cracks, or people who really just aren't good at letting people tell them what to do. Some people are compliant, sone are not. It's baked into our species. And it serves a purpose. Some of the homeless really are selfish scumbags, but it's maybe 10%. The majority of them are actually kind, generous people who find themselves out In situations where there is no viable option to live a better life. Think about it, you really think they like having no ac when it's 105 outside? It freezing cold and foggy in February? The cold freezes your toes through your shoes. You think they like having no money? No clean clothes? Many of them out in a fulk days with Just trying stay fed and safe. Then the hope team comes and tells them they have you move. Avd explicitly doesn't tell them where they can move to. They just have to go somewhere else. And they often steal their dogs so they have to go buy them back from the pound. Which they do. I have seen ten of them pool together everything they could come up with to help someone get their dog back. Alot of them are from collapsed families, where they lost their partner and kids , or their parents, and they got so lonely and depressed that it to traumatized them and took away their will to survive within society. Then by the tube they recovered from the loss. They have no resources or employment history needed to establish themselves. That's how I became homeless. My wife cheated on me and took my kid. I got a room from a friend but instead of using my money to pay the rent he let the bill run up and then but and run whe the eviction came. Leaving me nowhere to go. And noone to turn to. Im extremely lucky I made it out, but even still I struggle with getting enough work to sustain myself. Can't get a car or anything. Barely barely staying alive. It sucks. But iv never stole from anyone or trashed a bathroom or attacked anyone. Iv never even asked someone for change before. I would go collect recycling all night instead. Lots of people were like me. And alot more like you than you would like to admit. It’s true that a couple people used to vandalize the place. Specifically the bathrooms. But they also used them to survive the blistering cold. I know that people like to dehumanize the homeless and use the worst examples of them as the standard they are all judged for. But the reality is that the homeless shelter here sucks, the job market is completely locked out for a lot of people as is the housing. Sure fencing the park made life harder for some people, but it also pushed many of the Homeless out of the edge of town and into its center more. And since they can’t be there at night, now they spend more time moving around near your houses and have less chance to retain their resources, making them more desperate and more likely to do something undesirable. People don’t realize that when you have no family, most people are a month Away from being without a home and not way to get one. Yes many homeless people use drugs. But really, most non homeless people use drugs too. The number of people taking painkillers and especially anxiety meds is pretty high. Everyone smokes pot or drinks now. There are a few bad actors that steal or are violent, but most of them aren’t. Alot of them are people who society let fall through 6the cracks, or people who really just aren’t good at letting people tell them what to do. Some people are compliant, sone are not. It’s baked into our species. And it serves a purpose. Some of the homeless really are selfish scumbags, but it’s maybe 10%. The majority of them are actually kind, generous people who find themselves out In situations where there is no viable option to live a better life. Think about it, you really think they like having no ac when it’s 105 outside? It freezing cold and foggy in February? The cold freezes your toes through your shoes. You think they like having no money? No clean clothes? Many of them out in a fulk days with Just trying stay fed and safe. Then the hope team comes and tells them they have you move. Avd explicitly doesn’t tell them where they can move to. They just have to go somewhere else. And they often steal their dogs so they have to go buy them back from the pound. Which they do. I have seen ten of them pool together everything they could come up with to help someone get their dog back. Alot of them are from collapsed families, where they lost their partner and kids , or their parents, and they got so lonely and depressed that it to traumatized them and took away their will to survive within society. Then by the tube they recovered from the loss. They have no resources or employment history needed to establish themselves. That’s how I became homeless. My wife cheated on me and took my kid. I got a room from a friend but instead of using my money to pay the rent he let the bill run up and then but and run whe the eviction came. Leaving me nowhere to go. And noone to turn to. Im extremely lucky I made it out, but even still I struggle with getting enough work to sustain myself. Can’t get a car or anything. Barely barely staying alive. It sucks. But iv never stole from anyone or trashed a bathroom or attacked anyone. Iv never even asked someone for change before. I would go collect recycling all night instead. Lots of people were like me. And alot more like you than you would like to admit.

]]> By: Greg https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/2025/12/04/4m-security-fence-at-visalia-park-blocking-out-neighbors/#comment-163633 Greg Sun, 15 Feb 2026 15:58:01 +0000 https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/?p=53625#comment-163633 These people think you could just walk into America Free Willy Dilly but then when you get here you got to go through a gate to see your kid play ball ridiculous These people think you could just walk into America Free Willy Dilly but then when you get here you got to go through a gate to see your kid play ball ridiculous

]]> By: Greg https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/2025/12/04/4m-security-fence-at-visalia-park-blocking-out-neighbors/#comment-163632 Greg Sun, 15 Feb 2026 15:56:23 +0000 https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/?p=53625#comment-163632 It's absolutely stupid they tried doing the same thing at the Cal Ripken Tournament shutting the people down and trying to make money off of they ought to be ashamed the one in charge thinks he's some type of a professional athlete he should know better It’s absolutely stupid they tried doing the same thing at the Cal Ripken Tournament shutting the people down and trying to make money off of they ought to be ashamed the one in charge thinks he’s some type of a professional athlete he should know better

]]> By: Valentino Lemus https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/2025/12/04/4m-security-fence-at-visalia-park-blocking-out-neighbors/#comment-162586 Valentino Lemus Tue, 20 Jan 2026 18:27:23 +0000 https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/?p=53625#comment-162586 I don't think that the fence is needed sure the park might be dirty but 7-foot spiked iron fences is too much. plus the plan to make people pay to get in? its a public park, PUBLIC we should be able to use it whenever. and the problem with homeless people is to kick them out or make homes for them. the trash just install more trash cans I know that's cheaper than 4 million. I don’t think that the fence is needed sure the park might be dirty but 7-foot spiked iron fences is too much. plus the plan to make people pay to get in? its a public park, PUBLIC we should be able to use it whenever. and the problem with homeless people is to kick them out or make homes for them. the trash just install more trash cans I know that’s cheaper than 4 million.

]]> By: Russell Barnes https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/2025/12/04/4m-security-fence-at-visalia-park-blocking-out-neighbors/#comment-162035 Russell Barnes Thu, 08 Jan 2026 13:35:33 +0000 https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/?p=53625#comment-162035 In reply to <a href="https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/2025/12/04/4m-security-fence-at-visalia-park-blocking-out-neighbors/#comment-160589">J</a>. Yes I believe same way In reply to J.

Yes I believe same way

]]> By: Josette Hendrick https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/2025/12/04/4m-security-fence-at-visalia-park-blocking-out-neighbors/#comment-160671 Josette Hendrick Wed, 10 Dec 2025 02:47:43 +0000 https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/?p=53625#comment-160671 It looks like a prison, very sad 😢 It looks like a prison, very sad 😢

]]> By: J https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/2025/12/04/4m-security-fence-at-visalia-park-blocking-out-neighbors/#comment-160589 J Mon, 08 Dec 2025 19:39:08 +0000 https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/?p=53625#comment-160589 Good Job. The only time people need to be at the park after dark is Sporting or Sponsored events where lights are in use. I know schools that take their classes there for lunch after field trips. Teachers hate having to check the restrooms and playgrounds for hazardous materials before kids can use them. As it is, they're packing Lysol & hand wipes plus giant hand sanitizers for the kids when visiting there. Good Job. The only time people need to be at the park after dark is Sporting or Sponsored events where lights are in use.
I know schools that take their classes there for lunch after field trips. Teachers hate having to check the restrooms and playgrounds for hazardous materials before kids can use them. As it is, they’re packing Lysol & hand wipes plus giant hand sanitizers for the kids when visiting there.

]]> By: Gustavo Mejia https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/2025/12/04/4m-security-fence-at-visalia-park-blocking-out-neighbors/#comment-160569 Gustavo Mejia Mon, 08 Dec 2025 06:44:08 +0000 https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/?p=53625#comment-160569 It’s a community park not a business. It should be open to the people and kids to go out and play and run practice and train. Why would the city close down this park and try to charge the community it doesn’t make any sense like is the park of business or is it a place for families to get together or athletes to get together to train or just hang out as a family and barbecue. The city should be a shame now children will be playing in the streets because the park is closed and they can’t pay to go in. It’s a community park not a business. It should be open to the people and kids to go out and play and run practice and train. Why would the city close down this park and try to charge the community it doesn’t make any sense like is the park of business or is it a place for families to get together or athletes to get together to train or just hang out as a family and barbecue. The city should be a shame now children will be playing in the streets because the park is closed and they can’t pay to go in.

]]> By: Nicole https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/2025/12/04/4m-security-fence-at-visalia-park-blocking-out-neighbors/#comment-160554 Nicole Mon, 08 Dec 2025 01:27:33 +0000 https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/?p=53625#comment-160554 In regards to safety and cleanliness I believe having to purchase the bathroom would keep the facilities clean and generate revenue for the city to purchase simple supplies such as soap and toilet paper. Many countries require payment for facilities and amenities. A simple quarter could be the difference of a drug abusing homeless citizen destroying the bathrooms and a family trying to provide a safe clean place for their members to toilet or wash hands. In regards to safety and cleanliness I believe having to purchase the bathroom would keep the facilities clean and generate revenue for the city to purchase simple supplies such as soap and toilet paper. Many countries require payment for facilities and amenities. A simple quarter could be the difference of a drug abusing homeless citizen destroying the bathrooms and a family trying to provide a safe clean place for their members to toilet or wash hands.

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