(Editor's Note: This letter was sent to the Des Moines City Council and a copy forwarded to the Times/News.)

We have concerns about a recent action taken by the Des Moines City Council.

Sunday, 7 September 2007, city action forced residents in the Three Bears Motel to move out. This action came about, we understand, with no advance notice to inhabitants. Someone just knocked on their doors on a quiet Sunday afternoon.

According to the Des Moines News, occupying residents had to "scramble to find low income housing."

Police stood by while tenants pulled themselves together and left the premises.

We are aware that the problems of Pacific Ridge are manifest and that the Three Bears Motel, in particular, is a trouble zone. However, hard to believe that everyone living there was a drug pusher/user.

Perhaps, in some cases, this was simply all they could afford. Was any effort made to differentiate? These people, sometimes families, were "put up at the city's expense" for three days-72 hours to rework your life.

Changing addresses is often the most traumatic thing a person can do. Required expenses for a regular apartment will likely include, in advance, first and last month's rent, hefty damage deposit, credit check report, fees for turning on utilities, etc. These expenses can reach $3,000 very quickly. That is why these by-the-night dwellings are so attractive to the low income.

What has happened to them since? Has any effort been made to keep track of their movements? Seems to us that any legitimate boarders might be getting really hard pressed by now to find shelter.

Officials said action was done "for the tenants own safety." Are they any safer today-in their cars, on the street-whatever?

Please advise any further actions taken.

Joseph and Judy Hough

Des Moines