Trek.pub Trekking around the net
Related Articles
During a motorcade ride, President Trump expressed concern about visible homelessness in Washington, D.C., prompting him to demand that homeless individuals vacate public spaces “immediately.” He proposed relocating them far from the city, while simultaneously preparing to deploy 800 National Guard members and federalizing the local police. Advocates highlighted a crucial flaw: the lack of available shelter beds in D.C., with only 30 open for men and women respectively.
Trump’s rhetoric painted a dire picture of crime involving “violent gangs” and homeless individuals, which contradicted actual statistics showing a 30-year low in violent crime. Many unhoused people are victims of violence themselves, not perpetrators. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt suggested possible consequences for those refusing shelter—fines or arrest—raising concerns about targeting innocent individuals along with actual criminals.
One homeless man, Larry, shared his story about losing his home after his wife’s death, illustrating the human impact of such policies. He expressed fear of arrest while trying to find safe places to sleep. The Supreme Court had previously upheld penalties for homelessness despite insufficient shelter availability, exemplified by similar situations in cities like Grants Pass, Oregon.
Experts warn that the approach doesn’t address the root of homelessness and merely shifts individuals to different areas instead of providing real solutions. The sentiment among the unhoused is a desire for safety from crime, but not at the risk of being criminalized themselves.
Read this related Trek here:
DC’s Homeless Have Nowhere to Go. Trump Might Send Them to Jail.
