Empathy and exasperation: Sylmar business owners struggle to deal with homeless issue

Bonnie Bernard, owner of Flowers 4-U, right, talks with Angel who has been living homeless across the way from Bernard’s store in the Sylmar shopping center in Sylmar.

A pedestrian walks past Cecilia, left, who rests with her belongings after being kicked out of the Sylmar shopping center by a private security firm.

“It’s really hard for me,” said Katherine Velasco, manager of Radio Shack at the Sylmar shopping center, about dealing with the homeless who have been stealing water from the business. “I really hope that somebody can do something to help them out,” she said.

Homeless people gather at a storefront while children spin on a carousel at the Sylmar shopping center in Sylmar. Retailers are both empathetic and exasperated by the homeless people who congregate there.

A private security officer asks Richardo, who is homeless, to leave the Sylmar shopping center. A private security firm was hired to move homeless people away from the storefronts.

Ryan, 41, who is homeless, waits to ask customers for money at the Fresh & Easy supermarket in the Sylmar shopping center.

Bonnie Bernard, owner of Flowers 4-U, left, talks with a private security officer about the homeless situation at the Sylmar shopping center.

Bonnie Bernard tries to get the attention of a homeless man who sits next to his belongings in front of the Fresh & Easy supermarket at the Sylmar shopping center.