The way most homeless people are treated is absolutely horrific. As a group, we are incredibly vulnerable. Imagine living without the safety of a home or a door to lock. While those in vehicles have a bit more protection, many homeless individuals are in tents or on the street without even that minimal shelter. Homeless people have to be constantly on guard to protect their belongings, and if they’re robbed, they could lose everything. The threat is just as real during homeless encampment sweeps, where people can lose what little they have left.
While some individuals on the streets may need care facilities to receive treatment for mental illnesses, and occasionally, they can be violent, they do not represent the vast majority of us—despite what Elon Musk might suggest. The majority of newly homeless people are those priced out of housing, not those with severe mental health issues. When was the last time Musk stood in line at a food pantry or any place you encountered homeless people? He speaks with authority about a topic he knows nothing about.
How ironic that one of the wealthiest individuals on the planet spreads dangerous misinformation about a demographic he has no connection to. While it’s true that some homeless individuals struggle with addiction or mental illness, and can occasionally be violent, this does not represent the majority of us. The media often highlights these extreme cases, creating a distorted image that fuels public fear and bolsters arguments for criminalizing homelessness. When the public sees a mentally disturbed person acting out, it becomes easy for those advocating for criminalization to paint all homeless individuals as threats to society. This harmful stereotype overlooks the reality of countless homeless individuals who are simply priced out of housing and struggling to survive.
Safety Concerns for Homeless Women
For homeless women who are chronically ill and living in vehicles, individuals who are violent due to drug use or mental illness pose a significant threat, just as they do to the general public. Most of us actively avoid contact with such individuals whenever possible. None of us want to risk encountering someone who might be violent. This is particularly true for people like me, who were raised by a violent, mentally ill adoptive parent.
Most of the people I’ve met experiencing mobile homelessness might be considered “eccentric,” and many of them are fellow autistics like myself. However, none have ever seemed violent or indicated that they might become violent. Having been raised by someone with a “hair-trigger temper,” I can recognize the signs of an unstable, violent person. Trust me, most homeless people I’ve encountered are not like that.
Perceived Threats and Real Dangers
I witness many unsettling things when I stay overnight in my van near a 24-hour fuel station with a convenience store. While you might see the occasional homeless person entering the store, the truly frightening characters usually aren’t homeless. Many pull up in cars and meet outside, resembling characters from “Breaking Bad.” These young men are not people I would feel comfortable mingling with. I’ve seen fights break out and police arrive. This is not my world, and being near it makes me ill at ease.
Homeless individuals also face the constant threat of being robbed by unscrupulous individuals. There’s also the risk of sexual assault. Leaving our vehicle parked somewhere with valuables inside is a gamble we take. Just recently, a friend of mine had her car stolen—she’s not homeless, but she lost valuable equipment that was in it. The police recovered it, but it had been smashed into a stop sign pole! If that happened to me, I’d be in serious trouble. As it stands, my van is out of commission because I can’t afford the thousands of dollars needed to repair it.
Technological Vulnerabilities
There are other dangers to consider, too. For instance, homeless individuals can lose their phones during sweeps. At best, losing a phone means losing access to crucial services, job searches, and assistance. But if a phone is stolen, it becomes a criminal’s treasure trove. Many people are signed into apps that can access money or personal information. Thieves can also find information on people whose names, numbers, and addresses are in your phone’s contacts.
I don’t use a phone, but I do use an old, Wi-Fi-only iPad. It’s not nearly as easy to track me. I can use an app to make calls if I must, but I do not delude myself into thinking that nothing bad could happen if I lost this device! I am extremely careful not to let it out of my sight at any given moment. Wherever I go, it’s with me in my bag.
I never share my personally identifying information online, especially not over social media. Someone I don’t know recently asked me for detailed personal information online, but I refused. This person claims to be 3,000 miles away and living in a car due to illness. What happens to my information if they are robbed? What if they end up in a hospital and their phone is lost or stolen? Anyone can access my information on their phone, even if the owner of that phone is honest. If the proposed internment camps become a reality, staying hidden and unflagged will become crucial.
I am vigilant about my privacy, especially given my circumstances. As a chronically ill, autistic woman, I have serious concerns, particularly in today’s AI-driven world. Trust in social media has dwindled even further for me. Concerns about safety and privacy are valid for everyone, not just those who are homeless.
Rising Threats and Societal Responses
Robberies in my area are on the rise, impacting both housed and homeless individuals alike. Personally, I was victimized twice at my storage unit back in September 2023. Nationally, attacks targeting homeless individuals are also increasing, adding to the already daunting challenge of basic survival. It’s a constant state of vigilance for us, with safety always a top concern.
Living in this situation is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone, not even a dog. Ironically, dogs often have better prospects of being rescued and re-homed than many of us who are homeless or facing housing challenges. Safety is a growing concern across America, and few are as vulnerable to crime and violence as unhoused individuals. Rather than targeting homeless people with criminalization, efforts should be directed at addressing real criminals and expanding affordable housing options for the increasing number of people in need.
