A Malibu church has decided to stop providing meals to the homeless after it says the city government and locals pressured them to stop.
For years Malibu United Methodist Church has provided twice-weekly meals for the city's homeless, serving as many as 100 people a day. But earlier this month, church representatives said the city sent an email inviting them to a meeting where they were asked to stop giving out meals.
"They asked, very succinctly," said church member Dawn Randall. "They claimed we are increasing homelessness."
Mayor Skylar Peak disputed that characterization in a hearing, denying he pressured the church to stop and calling it a "miscommunication," the Los Angeles Times reports.
But the Times also reported that since the Los Angeles Metro expanded to Malibu, neighbors have complained to law enforcement about the number of "mentally ill and rough-looking characters" hanging out on Malibu's beaches and near schools.
"A homeless person was taking a shower in the girls locker room in middle school — that wasn't real good. Providing dinner is a nice thing to do and a good thing, but it's the location," said Gary Patterson, who left the church's board of trustees over the issue.
Homeless in the area, who spoke to the Times, disagree.
"People don't want to see homeless people around," said Tyrone Valiant. "Now they're cutting off the food."
Bloomberg estimated in 2015 that Malibu's average household income is $238,399, making it one of the 50th richest localities in the United States.