{"id":20961,"date":"2023-04-26T09:00:34","date_gmt":"2023-04-26T13:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress-537697-2997182.cloudwaysapps.com\/?p=20961"},"modified":"2023-04-26T09:34:50","modified_gmt":"2023-04-26T13:34:50","slug":"arrested-for-existing-while-homeless","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress-537697-2997182.cloudwaysapps.com\/arrested-for-existing-while-homeless\/","title":{"rendered":"Arrested for Existing While Homeless"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Criminalization of Homelessness is Spreading Across the Country<\/span><\/h2>\n

Robert Stephenson emerged from jail visibly injured, his finger damaged and his wrists riddled with marks. One of his many interactions with law enforcement officials during his three-year stint of homelessness left his criminal record tainted and his physical appearance damaged in the manner described above.<\/span><\/p>\n

In a telling interview with the\u00a0<\/span>San Diego Union-Tribune<\/span><\/a>, Stephenson explained that the police had, indeed, roughed him up a bit. But he added that it was “not in a Rodney King way” as if to subtly defend the wayward assailants or to make the injustice appear less gruesome than it was.<\/span><\/p>\n

The harrowing truth is that for the duration of his homeless experience<\/a>, Stephenson had become accustomed to these types of interactions with law enforcement officials as well as the general public’s perception of him as an alleged “criminal.” Being jailed, assaulted, and tossed back into the system had become a way of life for the man.<\/span><\/p>\n

His crime?<\/span><\/em>\u00a0<\/span>Existing while homeless.<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

As tragic as the situation sounds, it is in no way unique to Mr. Stephenson. He was swiftly and, without warning, placed under arrest for pitching a tent in San Diego’s Balboa Park. This coveted tourist destination features 1,200 sprawling acres dedicated to culture, art, and leisure.<\/span><\/p>\n

People like Mr. Stephenson (unintentionally) interrupt the mundane experiences of park-goers and remind everyday workers, travelers, and families that homelessness is a growing problem. Worse yet, it is a problem that could even happen to them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Imagine the shock of a park visitor meandering through the lush California foliage anticipating a delightful day of upscale shopping and sightseeing, only to come face to face with a man like Stephenson, who has no stable place to rest.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Alleged Crime of ‘Existing While Homeless’<\/h3>\n

We cannot arrest our way out of the\u00a0<\/span>affordable housing crisis<\/span><\/a>. We can, however, fool ourselves into blaming the victims.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is for this reason and this reason alone that 200 citations were issued, and 30 arrests were made for encroachment violations in San Diego, California alone, in just one year, according to court records.<\/span><\/p>\n

Encroachment violations are often used as an excuse to arrest houseless residents who store their belongings on city sidewalks, residential streets, or park benches. As the legislative title suggests, they are essentially “encroaching” on public space.<\/span><\/p>\n

While legislators claim the law doesn’t specifically target houseless community members<\/a>, these individuals make up the vast majority of these types of arrests.<\/span><\/p>\n

Quality-of-Life Ordinances Provide Homeless People the Right to Die and Nothing Else<\/h3>\n

Encroaching violations are just one example of a slew of laws that target people enduring unsheltered homelessness. Other examples include:<\/span><\/p>\n