SALINAS, Calif. -- In Oldtown Salinas businesses work hard to keep their storefronts clean and tidy. But sometimes, its alleyways are anything but, and because of that businesses there have been dealing with an unfortunate problem.
"Everybody has seen it, whether they realized it or not," said Michelle Olivas, manager at Aqua Blue in Oldtown.
Olivas is talking about public defecation that happens right outside their doors.
"That particular ally is a hot spot," Olivas pointed out.
However, it's a problem that goes full circle. The homeless community really had no where to go, until now. With the help of an anonymous donation, the CSU Monterey Bay Learning Community in Chinatown along with homeless volunteers opened up a porta-potty.
"Yay!That's what I thought! Awesome!" said Olivas.
While the porta-potty is not in Oldtown, business owners say Chinatown is just around the corner and having something like a public bathroom in the area is really going to help with public defecation.
The door will remained locked and only opened by volunteers who will monitor it. This, to prevent drug use in the porta-potty. The idea is supported by "PHLUSH" or Public Hygiene Lets Us Stay Human, a Portland group that has done the same thing in their city.
The donation will also maintain the toilet and have it cleaned twice a week.
