The State of Florida has the unenviable distinction of being ranked number #1 in 2008, the fourth year in a row, for attacks on the homeless, that is, 30. California ranked second with a total of 22 attacks. This is the word of the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) in their just released report entitled, “Hate, Violence and Death on Mainstreet, USA, 2008.
In 2008, nationally, the total number of attacks was 106, and the number of fatal attacks last year is the second highest since 2001, resulting in 27 deaths.
“Those experiencing homelessness are often ignored or misunderstood by society. If these brutal attacks were committed against any other religious or minority group to the same degree, there would be a national outcry and call for governmental action,” said Michael Stoops, executive director of NCH. “We must respond to this dehumanization and protect homeless persons against hate crimes and violence.”
The report notes that, the 42 percent of homeless people who are unsheltered are the most vulnerable to these attacks. Because crimes committed against homeless persons often go unreported, the actual numbers of non-lethal attacks may be much higher.
According to the report, 73 percent of the attacks were committed by individuals who were ages 25 and younger. Some of the attackers said they committed the crime out of “boredom” or for a “thrill” or “fun”.
The report also details ways communities and governments can act to solve the crisis of anti-homeless violence.
The NCH Report comes on the heels of an earlier report, “Homes Not Handcuffs“, by the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty and NCH last month, which included St. Petersburg, Orlando, Gainsville and Bradenton– all cities in Florida– among the top 10 meanest U.S. cities.
