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Hate Crimes & Violence Against the Homeless
poorly in our society, many more attacks go unreported. Hate crimes against the homeless community is a growing wave in need of public attention. • 1,074 reported acts of bias motivated violence have been committed against homeless individuals between 1999-2010 • 291 homeless individuals lost their lives as a result of the attacks • Reported violence has occurred in 47 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, DC Our data also suggests that the perpetrators of these attacks tend to be young men and teenaged boys. In the eleven year hisNCH tory of our hate crime reports the vast maIn the past eleven years, the National Cojority of the attacks against alition for the Homeless (NCH) has docuhomeless people have been committed mented over a thousand acts of violence by youth as young as ten years old. In against homeless individuals by housed 2009: perpetrators. These crimes are believed • 80 percent of the attacks were comto be motivated by the perpetrators’ bias mitted by people under against homeless individuals or their ability to Nearly one in three attacks thirty years of age target homeless people (on the homeless) ended in • 98 percent of perpetrators were men with relative ease. The death • Nearly one in three atdocumented violence tacks ended in death includes everything from beatings, rapes, Hate Crimes Against The Homeless: and setting people on fire. Hate Crimes America’s Growing Tide of Violence Against the Homeless: America’s Growdocuments the known ing Tide of Violence is the eleventh ancases of violence against homeless innual report documenting violence against dividuals by housed individuals in 2009. homeless persons. The report The violence continues and with fortyincludes descriptions of the cases, curthree known deaths, 2009 was the deadrent and pending legislation that would liest year for attacks on homeless people help protect in a decade and the second highest since homeless people, and recommendations NCH began tracking the violence in for advocates to help prevent violence 1999. NCH has found startling data in the against homeless number and severity of attacks. However, individuals. the reports also acknowledge that since the homeless community is treated so
Volume XII, Issue 6
Read original poem,
“I Will Never Be Homeless” on pg 9
Pic: Picdaus.com
Homeless People Report On Hate Crime Violence
During the Summer of 2009, the National Coalition for the Homeless, with the assistance of twenty AmeriCorps*VISTA Volunteers and fourteen VISTA Summer Associates, surveyed 1,343 homeless people in fourteen Florida counties concerning their experiences with hate crimes/violence. NCH volunteers asked an assortment of questions, and the resulting answers were both informative and alarming. When asked the question, “How do you (Continued on pg 7)
Defining a Hate Crime
* Charlie * Mr. Mike * Tiffany * Dvora * Ed Giampietro * Kristian Perez * Tommy & Joe * Geralyn * Little Ryan * Earnest Bowens & Family * Ed & Ruth * Rudy * Lisa * John McLean * Darren * Jan Cerrito * Rev. Patrick O’Shen * Angela Forrest & Family * Angelo * Maria Dragon
A
over a thousand incidents of crimes hate crime is defined by the U.S. committed against homeless individuDepartment of Justice’s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as a bias als due to the housed offender’s bias crime and is a “criminal offense comof the victim’s housing status. In 2009 mitted against a person, property, or alone, forty-three homeless men and society that is motivated, in whole or women lost their lives to such violence. in part, by the offender’s These crimes of hate In 2009 alone, forty-three bias”1. Although the FBI are committed against a does not currently recog- homeless men and women lost community of vulnerable nize homeless individuals their lives to such violence. individuals in our country as a protected status, the who are at risk because National Coalition for the Homeless, they live outside or in public spaces. Many of our communities do not have during the past eleven years, recorded
(Continued on pg 6)
How many paychecks are you away from becoming homeless?
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To vote: Text a KEYWORD to 27138 ONE = one paycheck TWO = two paychecks THREE = three paychecks FOUR = four or more
Orlando homeless advocates win temporary victory in public feeding case By Brett Ader
The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed to hear arguments against enforcing a 2006 Orlando city ordinance that limits group public feeding in city parks to twice per year in any one area. The ruling is the latest in a four-year back-and-forth battle between homeless advocates and city officials over an ordinance that was twice been rejected as unconstitutional before a three-judge panel in July overruled the original trial judge, asserting that the claims of unconstitutionality were without merit. Glenn Katon, an American Civil Liberties Union attorney who represents First Vagabonds Church of God, tells The
(Continued on pg 4)
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The Voice of the Homeless
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Friends of the Homeless For just $15 a month you can keep a homeless family off the streets for a day 1st Continental Mortgage Adam Staler Addias Eugene Adriana Fernandez Adriana N. Quila† Adrienne and Mike Al & Barbara Liebmann Al and Annie Albert J. Hamilton Ph D Albert J. Taragowski Alfred C. Scuderi Jr. Alice Ford and Melvin MawHinney Allen Yancy Amanda Reynolds Amber Rowan American Express Charitable Fund Amparo L. Korey Amy Curic Andre Johnson Andre and Heguette Bernier Stachewitsch Andrea Brown Andrew N. Daly Ann and Jean Tapia Ann M. Hamilton Ann-Marie White Anna Marye Levier Anne-Marie Decanal Anne McCudden Ann Ritchie Anthony Gallo Anthony Ralph Anthony Rhodes Antione Collins Antonieta G. Bohill Anzalone Santa & Vincenzo Armando Reyes Arnold Reemer Atkinson and Bartley Barbara Desanto Barbara Robinson Barbara Strong Baumann Family Beatriz C Perez Beth Farans Bill and Priscilla La Gasse Bob Hall Bobby Neal Bonita L Akinji Boyke Brad and Krystal Kelly Brian Herrmann & Aura Herrmann Bruce Wethersoon C. Youngblood C.R. Gallagher Calvary Chapel of Doral Carl L Miller Carlo Harrison Carmen VanScoy Carol Lockette Carol Murray Carolyn and Family Casandra Thomas Cathy and Kids Charlene Bugnacki & Paul Bugnacki Charles J. Youngman Charles K. Wilson Chris Sanchez Christine M Wilson Christine McAuliffe Clark Rogers Claudia K. Tapolow††† Collectron of Atlanta Comet Couriev† † Connie & Ginger Murphy Constance Lessoff Constance M Fast Corinne James Covenant of Goddess, Elibet Hanson Crime Watch Cynthia Ann Guardia & Paulo Emilio Guardia Dalal Hammoud Almeida Dallan Michele King Dan Gilcert Danbareli Holdings Inc.
Daniel Harrison Danny and George Darla King Darren Nolf David Thawley David V Torlone Dawn Monfries Dawn Sinka Deborah F. Immormino Deborah H Green Delores B Mordon Demetrius D Rodriguez Dena Harrison Denis and Bertha Arenstein Diane Friedman Dolores Brower Dolores R. Cerra Donna Marie Jesudowich Dorothy Griffith Family Dorothy Kay Garbutt Dorríe Terry Doug Boucher Family † Douglas Boucher Dr Mary Michaela Farren Dr. Burch B Stewart Eduardo Hernandez Elaine Snaith Elizabeth Hunsberger Elizabeth Marsh Elizabeth P. Sublett Elks Lodge # 2407 Eric Harrison Erica Fulton Erica Sanclair Escrow Account Essential Oil Healthline Eva & George Gorzkowski Evan V Jones Everglades Moon, Florida Auto Insurance Inc. Ferguson Family Floyd and Luana Coats Freddy Alvarado Fred S Kolm & Rena Duncan Fred T Verny†† JR†††† Gabrielle Ello Gail Boyke G.R. and J.D. Falbey G.S. Lybrand George & Carmen Gulisano Giankarlo Squicemari Gladstone Beckford Gladys Gonzalez Glenda Sainsbury God Bless Florence Menard Gordon Whitehead Gottlieb & Blair Family Grace Marth Graham R. Mitchell Guillermo D Galindo Gustavo Cabezas Hartford Property Connection, Inc. Heather A Salt & Terrence C Salt Holly J. Andrus Howard Bienenfeld Huarte and Vidaillet Hugo DeCarpintini Hurricane Prevention Inc Ignacio Huarte In Loving Memory of Christina A. Tegerides In Loving Memory of Florence & Nat Popkin In Loving Memory of Frances Klein In Loving Memory of Isabel Grimany In Loving Memory of Jose A. Estruch, Jr. In Loving Memory of Kris Soltan In Loving Memory of Martin E. Grey In Loving Memory of My Daughter Melissa Lurz
Mail check to: COSAC Foundation P.O. Box 292-577 Davie, FL 33329 Please include on memo what name should appear in paper. In Memory of Mertedes De Pinto In Loving Memory of Peter Sullivan In Loving Memory of Rex Lichtenberger In Loving Memory of Thomas Gasbarro In Memory of Steven Maderman In Memory of Martha Hughes In Memory of Betancueto Family In Memory of Bill Sledge In Memory of Billy Corwin In Memory of Brian Groleau In Memory of C.T.R. In Memory of Charles Horton In Memory of Chief George J. Hodges In Memory of Dan Holland In Memory of George Ericson In Memory of Gertrude Chong In Memory of Irene Grady Johnson In Memory of Martin Grey In Memory of Maxima† In Memory of Melba DeSanto In Memory of My Good Friend Pat Gibson In Memory of My Mother Pearl McCann In Memory of Scott Paul Cooper In Memory of Stanley Smolen In memory of Wesley H. Woodall† In Memory of William F. Judge Intercontinental Management Consulting Group, Inc. Isabelle J. Henry Ivonne Fernandez J. Coffee Jackie Johnson Jacqueline M. McCarty Jacqueline McCarty James & K. Heather Molans James Black James D. Potter JR Jamie F. Flores Janet Campbell Janho Group, Inc DBA POSH Jason Emrik Jason T Korose & Marie D Plett Javier Alvarez Javier Perez Jeffrey and Veronica Bujold Jennifer Hicky Jennifer S. Nickel Jenny Curic Jessica Padilla Jessica Rachel Duff Jesus Diaz Jim Johnson Jim Lentz Jimmy Daniels Joan Futscher & Kids Joanne Thomas Johanna T Law Revocable Intervivous Trust John & Ruth Mautino John C. Burt John Criasia John Dinielli John Evans & Family John Gaeta Johnís Plumbing Service Jonathan Burger Joseph Raymund Joseph Soares
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Samuel R Halpern PA Sandra K Stevens Sandra L. Wilhelm Sarah R Currin Savoia Sweig Scott Aguiar Sebastian Parks Sergio Cobo Sheila Holder Sheldon Jones Sherline Cyriaque Shirley Ullman Southern Financial Title Services Inc. Steinhardt Family Steve Dillan Steve Goolsby Surfiní Seniors Inc Susan Chisefsky Susan C Humeston Susan Pasqualino Susan P Brady Suzanne Matsurra Suzette M. Rodriguez Tailored Advertising, Inc Tamara Southard Tara Hunter Temple Aron Hakodesh Temple Beautiful Thank you so much Sean & Lois for all your help. Thank You Winn Dixie The Baldwin Family The Baptista Family The Chilsons The Davis Family The Geise Family The Herrmann Family The Herrmann Family The Kunicki Family The Ladueís The Maione Family The Martinez Family The Matsuura Family The Monserrate Family† The Morabito Family The Nicaraguaís The Ramos Family The Rionís Family The Savir Family The Schneider Family The Strikowski family The Swartout’s†† The Verny & Stewart Families The Watsons Thomas A Kramer Thomas Rua Thye Rencurrellís Timothy and Barbara Wilson Timothy L. Whitelaw Timothy Lukehard Todd Palgon Tom Thumb Food Stores, Inc. Tressie W. Osborne Triana M. Resto & Frank Gomez Una Gota De Vida, Inc Uylna Quadrino Vance Gunn Victoria J. Arasim Virginia H. Bailey Wendy Bryan William & Silvia Hoblet Wynona A Thompson Yorick and Bonita † Yvonne Fischer Zlata and Alfredo Jr Salazar
In Loving Memory of Angela J. Fante “Mimi” June 4, 1917 June 12, 2010
Volume XII, Issue 6
Page 3
Our Homeless Voice readers: THANK YOU AGAIN LORD FOR SUCH A WEAK FLU!
W
vendors. None of the money that is made in e are doing a massive monththe streets goes to any staff member or for an ly partner campaign. It is so administrative cost such as insurance, emvitally important for us to secure as ployee benefits, or payroll taxes. Money that many monthly members as we can. is used to pay for staff or for other administraAs you know the streets are getting tive cost comes from us creating income on harder for us to do. However, it is our low income but affordable housing for not as bad as we thought it would poor people. Also administrative costs also be. Some cities have made it against come from the money the hospitals pay us to the law to sell the paper in their city house complex cases for their homeless populimits and some of the cities that we lation. When we house one of their clients it thought we would be in court with saves them and tax payers hundreds of thoudid not change the law. So with some sands of taxes that we would all have to pay. bad news we got some good news. So when we buy a new file cabinet in the ofHaving monthly supporters helps fice or a lap top the money comes from themus keep our budget in control bemoney the staff receives, not from those buckcause we have a greater understandets in the streets or when the checks come in ing of what is coming our way as far from our monthly partners. as donations. There is another good We are asking for all our supporters to try reason for the monthly supporters, it to get as many people as they can to come is because of me. I must admit I am and visit us at the shelter to see where all the really tired. It has still been seven money goes. We are asking for our supportdays a week almost 18 to 20 hours a ers to also send in a check per month so we day nonstop for too, too many years. have a better understanding of what we can I need a break. It is just nonstop day do to make us bigger and after day and better so we can continue It is not so much the size there is so much help those who are more we have of the donation but the to forgotten about. Every to do to make number of people who amount helps. us even bigger Last month we sold than we are now donate to us. over 125,000 newsso we can help papers and cards in the streets. That meant with the so many new faces of homethat over 125,000 people put in money in to less people coming our way daily. those buckets. If we would have just half that These are the “first timers.” These amount sent in at $2.00 per month that would are the people that for the first time mean that I would know that we can expect to in their life became homeless due to receive about $125,000 in checks per month. loss of job or loss of home due to a This means we can expand and keep on growforeclosure. ing so this place is here when I am dead and It is so important to help these peoburied. This place needs to be here for the ple and to never say we don’t have many years to come. Not only we can expand, a bed for you. If we have to turn a but I will get some well deserved rest. Come “first timer” away there is a chance by and visit me and visit this place. I am here that person may become a long term usually 27 days a month 24 hours a day unless homeless person. So we must keep I am trying to lose some weight by walking on buying more property while it is outside or at the YMCA. I have been living cheap. This will allow us to almost here a very long time and I do want to get double our bed space. We are still in home more and more considering I only live a the process of remodeling the main few miles from the shelter. complex as well. With all this we have to raise more funds and try to COSAC HOMELESS get some idea of what we expect to ASSISTANCE CENTER get in donations in the future. HavP.O. Box 292 Davie, FL 33329 ing monthly partners really helps out more than what most people think. It is not so much the size of the donaHelping tion but the number of people who + = More donate to us. People! The money that is given to the vendors goes directly to the operational 1203 N. Federal Highway cost of the shelter and the homeless Hollywood, FL 33020 themselves, the vendors who sell the paper as their job. Exactly like the Setup networks of people to help out! Sun-Sentinel and the Herald Street
Publisher (middle) Sean Cononie meeting with Rain Wilson and his wife discussing poverty in America and the continued world hunger problems and the efforts the Homeless Voice is making in Haiti.
Members of the Florida based band Creed with Homeless Voice Staff Mark and Sara Targett
Homeless Voice Newspaper Staff Publisher
Editor in Chief
Executive Editor
Mark Targett
Sara Targett
Sean Cononie
Assistant Editor Lois Cross
Photos Christopher Bombery
Contributing Editors
Margo Poulson Jamie Kisner www.HomelessVoice.org/contact
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The Voice of the Homeless
Page 4
Orlando homeless advocates win temporary victory in public feeding case
(Continued from pg 1)
Florida Independent that he is hopeful a hearing before the full court will cement the original decision: That [ordinance] went into effect in August of 2006, and we challenged it right away, filing the lawsuit in federal district court, and inserted six different legal claims as to why the ordinance should be invalidated. After lots of procedural wrangling, we went to trial in May of 2008, before Judge Presnell in Orlando, and several months later got a ruling in our favor on a couple of the claims that invalidated the ordinance. The claims that we won on were that the ordinance is unconstitutional restriction on freedom of speech, because some of the plaintiffs were going out of their way to do these events in the main park in downtown Orlando and be very visible to raise awareness in the community of the problems of homelessness and hunger. So the judge said that was a speech activity, and that the ordinance unconstitutionally restricted it. The other claim we won on was for the other set of plaintiffs, which was a church for the homeless, where the court said there’s no rational basis for this ordinance, so therefore it restricts the free exercise of religion of the church. We asked the full 11th Circuit to hear the case, saying basically that the two judge majority got it wrong, and there are some very important reasons why the full court should hear this case. It’s very rare that you get the full court to hear it, but we were pleased to find out yesterday that the court did grant it. Other plaintiffs in the case include activists from Orlando Food Not Bombs, a local chapter of a national organization which focuses on issues relating to hunger and homelessness. Ben Markeson, speaking with TFI as an individual and not representing Orlando Food Not Bombs — whose decisions are made collectively by consensus — said the city considers homeless in the downtown area bad for business. “They’re trying to get rid of homeless people, and trying to stop groups from sharing food with them,” Markeson says, “because they think it hinders business and growth and redevelopment, so they’re basically putting profits ahead of people.” He says the city offered a fenced parking lot behind the Orlando Utility Commission building for groups wanting to feed the homeless, but likened the area — which has no running water and barbedwire-tipped fencing, and requires a city worker to unlock a gate for entry — to an apartheid scenario. “Basically what they are trying to do is stage an apartheid-like system in downtown Orlando based on socio-economic status,” he says. “I think that homeless people deserve access to the same public amenities, such as parks, as people who are more affluent. So I oppose the city’s attempt to institute discrimination and second-class citizenship against the homeless. We don’t use a dime of public money, and we don’t want anything from the city of Orlando except for them to stop trying to hinder us in sharing food with homeless people.” With this latest decision, the appeals court ruling from July is effectively rendered unenforceable. “The court vacated the appeals court ruling from July, so that opinion has no force or effect, so that means that the district courts ruling stands,” Katon added. “The city had said, ‘We won’t enforce the ordinance pending the petition for rehearing,’ but now even if the city wanted to, it can’t.
Haven House offered matching grant to help stay open By Ben Zion Hershberg Hours after an emotional meeting Thursday with 30 Haven House residents, director Barbara Anderson received a glimmer of hope that the Jeffersonville homeless shelter might stay open. Sean Cononie, director of The Homeless Voice Shelter in Hollywood, FL, called to say he would provide a $4,400 matching grant to help Anderson raise the $8,800 she needs to buy back the shelter after it was auctioned by the Internal Revenue Service in March for unpaid taxes. “Miracles happen,” a jubilant Anderson said, adding that she’s confident she can raise the rest of the money and even work out a plan to pay the remaining $68,000 in payroll taxes if IRS reopens the nowclosed tax case. “it looks an awful lot better today” than Brown, owner of Kentuckiana Roofing earlier in the week, Anderson said. Co., has said he will maintain the buildBut Jeffersonville City Council meming as a shelter but it must be cleaned and ber Ron Grooms, a council finance comrenovated. mittee member, said he believes Haven The Salvation Army and a coalition of House’s finances would be more stable if other social service agencies pledged other agencies were involved. Tuesday to help Haven House’s resiThe council isn’t in a position to prodents- about 56 men, women, and chilvide money, Grooms said, but he thinks it dren as of Thursday, Anderson said- find would partner with other agencies to help temporary housing, including at shelters the shelter. in Louisville. “I think it’s too Sean Cononie, director of The Kiger said when early to tell” how Homeless Voice Shelter in the shelter reopened Cononie’s offer Hollywood, FL, called to say it would be under will affect Haven he would provide a $4,400 different manageHouse’s future, ment. matching grant Grooms said. Under terms of the Cononie said in auction, Anderson has the right to buy a telephone interview that he learned of back the property at the auction price by Anderson’s predicament from the InterSept. 5. She said she believes the grant net and is offering the grant “because will make that possible. we’ve had problems like that ourselves.” Anderson has acknowledged failing On Tuesday, Maj. Stephen Kiger, directo pay $400,000 in payroll taxes for her tor of the Salvation Army in New Albany, employees because she didn’t have the said Haven House would close about money to do that and pay other shelter Sept. 9 for cleaning and renovation after expenses. new owner David Brown, the only bidder “I do believe the community will step at the IRS auction, took possession.
up” to help Anderson keep control of the shelter, said Kelli Orman, deputy director of Haven House. Kathleen Koch, 37, who has been living at Haven House for about two months, said earlier Thursday she was anxious about plans to temporarily close the shelter because she feared she would have to move to a Louisville shelter, making it difficult to get to her job in Jeffersonville. “I just got this job,” Koch said. “I can’t move.” Melodi Aubrey, 22 said she was afraid that she and 14-month-old son Kevin would be separated from friends. Other residents said they can’t move from Clark county for legal or medical reasons. Joan Popp, the Jeffersonville Township Trustee’s first deputy, said some help is available to shelter residents for temporary housing in Jeffersonville. The trustee’s office can provide funding, generally a week at a time, to help the homeless rent motel rooms or find other housing if they’re actively looking for jobs, Popp said.
Breaking News: The Shelter made their matching grant and this time the Good Guys Win. Sean Cononie stated, "I could not
just sit here and watch a shelter that has been in business for 30 years close its doors. There were kids staying there and I was not going to let them become homeless again. I knew our donators would want me to do the right thing, so we spoke and acted on their behalf." Cononie added, "One shelter saved today, many families now sleep inside tomorrow and many more days to come.”
A bum you can trust - honest!
By KEVIN FASICK and TODD VENEZIA A Manhattan homeless man had an emotional reunion yesterday with the kindhearted ad executive who lent him her American Express Platinum Card outside a SoHo restaurant, in what became a shining act of generosity, trust and honesty. “I didn’t have to thank him. I trusted him all along,” said Merrie Harris, 45, as she hugged Jay Valentine, 32, outside La Esquina on Kenmare Street. Harris lent her card to Valentine there Monday after he asked her for change. Most people who witnessed the act of extreme generosity doubted he would ever come back. But a short time later, he returned with the card, stunning many and earning Valentine the title of Most Honest Homeless Man in the City. “What he did was no surprise to me,” Harris said yesterday. “People keep telling me, ‘Why would you talk to him and trust him?’ But are we only supposed to trust people we know? What would Bernie Madoff’s friends be saying?” Valentine told The Post that he was surprised to be handed the card, but he never thought to take advantage of Harris’ generosity. “I wasn’t tempted at all,” said the 32-year-old Brooklyn native. “She trust(Continued on pg 8)
Lethal Comparison
T
he deaths that the National Coalition for the Homeless has seen is alarming when compared to the number of deaths determined to be hate crimes for all of the current protected classes. The table below shows that over the past eleven years, there are more than double the amount of homeless hate crime deaths than there are for all current protected classes. Comparison of FBI Defined Hate Crime Homicides v. Fatal Attacks on Homeless Year Homicides Classified as Fatal Attacks on Homeless Hate Crimes (FBI Data) Individuals (NCH Data) 1999 17 49 (9 racially, 2 religiously, 3 sexual orientation, 3 ethnically motivated) 2000 19 43 (10 racially, 1 religiously, 2 sexual orientation, 6 ethnically motivated) 2001 10 18 (4 racially, 1 sexual orientation, 5 ethically motivated) 2002 13 14* (4 racially, 3 religious, 4 sexual orientation, 2 ethnically motivated) 2003 14 8* (5 racially, 6 sexual orientation, 2 ethnically, 1 anti-disability motivated) 2004 5 25 (3 racially, 1 religiously, 1 sexual orientation motivated) 2005 6 13 (3 racially, 3 ethnically motivated) 2006 3 20 (3 racially motivated) 2007 9 28** (5 sexual orientation, 2 racially, 2 ethnicity motivated) 2008 7 27 (5 sexual orientation motivated, 1 racially, 1 ethnically motivated) 2009 (FBI Data unavailable at this time) 43 11 Year Total 103 288 *Note: Upon receipt of further information, these numbers have been decreased by one. **Note: Upon receipt of further information, these numbers have decreased by three. Chart compiled by using data from the Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism (California State University, San Bernardino): Analysis of Data from the F.B.I. and the National Coalition for the Homeless.
Volume XII, Issue 6
Case Descriptions: Deaths
Total Deaths: 43 Serial Rapist and Killer Targets Homeless CLEVELAND, OHIO – January 1, 2009 – October 1, 2009. The murders of at least eleven homeless women may finally be solved after an Ohio court allowed prosecutors to present testimonial evidence linking Anthony Sowell, fifty, to the murders. At least four women who times with a skateboard. Gwaltney, then, survived his advances will soon testify bragged to over a dozen other teens that against him, adding assault to the list he had “killed a bum”. Doyle was a loof allegations that includes aggravated cal dirt bike racer in the 70’s and 80’s and murder, rape, and corpse abuse. Two of worked in Colorado Springs for years bethe surviving women were raped and asfore recently becoming homeless. Many saulted in 2009. Court documents say that community members and friends gaththe stories of the survivors show a pattern ered together in honor of Doyle after his very similar to that of the victims. The atdeath. Gwaltney was convicted of firsttacks took place over a two year period degree murder and received a mandatory of 2007-2009, and all of his victims were life sentence without parole. homeless women. Sowell may have been Student Kills Homeless Man Based on able to evade police for an extended pePrejudice riod of time because many of his victims HOUSTON, TEXAS - February 7, 2009. were not reported missing until months A thirty-two year-old university student after they were killed. Authorities said has been charged in the early morning Sowell lured homeless women into his killing of a forty-seven year-old homehome where their remains were found less man named Joe Tall. Jeremy Lee last fall. At least six of the murders ocPierce remains jailed after being forcurred in between January 1 and October mally charged with the shooting murder. 1, 2009. Police are continuing to investiJoe Tall was found lying on a Metro bus gate other suspicious, unsolved murders bench with at least one bullet hole in his in the area. Due to the complexity of the head on the University of Huston campus. case, the Cleveland court is expected to He was discovered by a student riding his resume in June after the defense attorneys bike to work when he noticed blood driphave had a chance to examine the DNA ping from the victim. The school has ofand circumstantial evidence posed against fered any video recordings from their 500 Sowell. He has pled not guilty and faces on-campus security cameras for use in the the death penalty if convicted. Huston Police Department investigation. Planned Murder of Homeless Man The murder of Tall is being referred to by WOODSTOCK, ILLINIOS - January investigators as a “thrill kill”. Pierce was 19, 2009. Twenty-four year-old Kyle known by other students as an aggressive Morgan was accused of the brutal murindividual and is quoted as saying that the der of a twentyhomeless are a eight year-old Fifty-nine year-old Daniel Case, “blight to socihomeless man ety.” on January 19, a Vietnam War Veteran, was killed Two Homeless 2009. Although while sleeping behind a local Men Attacked the individual and One Murbusiness. attack seemed dered random, MorSAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA gan had planned to attack a homeless man February 15, 2009. Police believe four for some time. The homeless man died men were involved in an extremely agof multiple stab wounds and a collapsed gressive assault on two homeless men. lung. Morgan was captured after he left One homeless man was able to escape the the murder weapon at the scene of the assailants with minimal injuries but Peter crime. Soon after an arrest warrant was Azadian, fifty-seven, who had been livissued for Morgan’s arrest, Morgan fled ing under a door frame in the area, later to Tennessee where he hit two pedestrians died at a hospital. His death was caused on the sidewalk when he attempted to flee by blunt force impacts. from Tennessee State Troopers. Homeless Women Murdered in Brutal Homeless Man Killed By Head Injury Beatings SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA GALVESTON, TEXAS - February 20, February 3, 2009. Ross Stiles, forty-three, 2009. An inmate has been charged in condied at Cottage Hospital from a massive nection with the murder of two homeless head injury, according to police. Stiles women. The women were fifty-six and was a homeless man who lived in Santa fifty-one years old and their bodies were Barbara. According to friends of the vicfound fifteen days apart, on February 5th tim, they saw a man smash a beer bottle and on February 20th, near vacant houses. over Stiles’ head. The next day Stiles reAccording to police, homeless people ported a head ache but did not report the have been using the houses as refuge assault. Doctors attempted to operate in from the elements. David Ray Williams, order to reduce “massive swelling” in his twenty-two years-old, allegedly murbrain but were too late. Friends of Stiles dered two women by beating them around told police they saw two males confront their neck, face, and head. The bodies of Stiles, eventually smashing a bottle over the women were discovered by children his head before fleeing. Robert Evans, a playing in the building and by an electric friend of Stiles, lived/camped with Stiles meter worker, respectively. Police believe for many years. “He was a real nice guy,” that the women were sexually assaulted Evans said. Stiles suffered from severe based on the haggard condition of their depression and pain resulting from a disclothing. Patrols were increased in the ability. Santa Barbara closed his case in area in the hopes of finding potential leads March but then reopened the case in May but the case broke when DNA evidence after the coroner’s report said Stiles died linking Williams to the murder was disdue to unknown blunt force trauma. covered. Teen Bragged About Killing Homeless Vietnam Veteran Becomes Victim of Man Homeless Attack. COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO BRADENTON, FLORIDA - Febru– February 5, 2009. David Doyle, fiftyary 23, 2009. Fifty-nine year-old Daniel five, was sleeping on a pedestrian bridge Case, a Vietnam War Veteran, was killed when Taylor Lane Gwaltney, nineteen, while sleeping behind a local business. biked past him; Gwaltney later returning Upon his return to the United States, Case to kill Doyle, hitting him up to sixteen (Continued on pg 8)
Page 5
Founding a Charity at 6, and Walking Across the Country for It at 12 James C McKinley Jr friend take turns following him in a VolkSAN CARLOS, Ariz. — He cuts a tiny swagen Beetle with his sponsors plasfigure in the vastness of the upland desert, tered on the side and a red wagon affixed the expanse of scrub and brush and sato the top. One walks beside him while guaro cactuses and red ragged mountains. the other drives behind. He is a red-headed boy with a sunburned He tries to cover at least 20 miles a day, nose and sunglasses, and he moves with and has worn out five pairs of shoes since a step not graceful, nor terribly fast, but he started in late December. The main ensteady and determined, his mouth set in emies, he says, are boredom and fatigue. a hard line. “You get bored walking down the road The boy, Zachary L. Bonner, has walked for hours at a time,” he says as he trudges nearly 1,950 miles from his home outside in the high desert dust here along HighTampa, Fla., to this spot in the desert, and way 70. “You can only listen to so much he intends to walk another 500 miles or music.” so to the Pacific Ocean, all to raise money To pass the time, he listens endlessly for homeless children. to Elton John, Owl City, Lady Gaga and At 12 years old, he is something of a Mika on his iPhone. He also sends mesprodigy among do-gooders. This is the sages over Twitter to more than 1,600 folthird and longest trek he has organized lowers. He snacks on apples and granola to raise money for the Little Red Wagon bars, but waits until the afternoon to eat Foundation, the charity he started when a large meal, usually donated by restauhe was 6 to help get water to people after rants like Chili’s. Hurricane Charley hit Florida in 2004. Still, as he crosses the great deserts of “He’s just like every other kid, except he West Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, likes to do community service work for his mother has grown concerned about some odd reason,” said his mother, Lauhis health. “He’s lost a lot of weight,” she rie Bonner, who walks with her son, taksaid as she walked behind him. “He’ll ing turns with a famtake off his shirt ily friend. “He likes and you can see his “He’s just like every other ribs.” doing it. It’s weird.” Zachary acknowlMs. Bonner, 43, kid, except he likes to do edges that his dea real estate agent termination to walk community service work for and investor, said 2,478 miles is a little she had been hopsome odd reason,” out of the ordinary ing for years that for a boy his age. her son would Many of the children in his neighborhood grow out of this charitable phase. Every back in Valrico, Fla., he says, do not unyear, she asks if he would like to take a derstand it. His mother said that since he break from his mission and go to a local started his charity work, he had made few school with children his own age. friends his own age; the people closest to But he prefers to study online, through him are college students and adults who a company called K12, because he can admire his work. finish his classes quickly and have more “Some kids are really into baseball, and time for charity work. that is what they do seven days a week,” “I have parents that ask me all the time: Zachary says as he takes a water break in How do you get them involved?” she the 100-degree heat. “This is what I enjoy said. “I don’t think you can. Unless the doing.” kid loves that thing they are doing, there His efforts have not gone unnoticed. is no way. I used to think it would end, Some Hollywood producers have bought but now I think maybe this is what he’s the rights to his life story so far and this supposed to do.” summer started shooting a feature film, The Little Red Wagon Foundation mostdirected by David Anspaugh of “Hooly provides school supplies, food, clothsiers” fame and produced by the Philaning and toys to homeless children. In thropy Project. His mother declined to 2008, tax records show, the organization say how much Zachary was paid, but she raised about $53,000 and spent $5,600 to did say that he gave it all to the Little Red feed about 800 homeless families during Wagon Foundation. the holidays and to provide the children He counts among his fans and supportwith toys. It also spent $2,200 on teachers Elton John, who has pledged $50,000 ing supplies in a poor district and backif Zachary makes it to Los Angeles. packs for orphans. It ended the year with Zachary barely cracks a smile when he $50,000 in the bank. talks about being invited to Mr. John’s This year, Ms. Bonner said, Zachary has concert in Tucson this week. Asked about received pledges of cash or in-kind dothe future, Zachary says he would like to nations of about $120,000 from various go to Harvard and become a prosecutor. sponsors. “It seems like a career I would really enAlong his trip, he has held special events joy,” he says. for homeless children, including taking a The trek is a family affair. Zachary, group to an amusement park in Dallas. his mother and a family friend, Matt “I feel we should meet their basic needs Chesney, 20, sleep in a donated R.V., risbut take it a step further and meet their ing about 3:30 every morning. Zachary kid needs,” he said as he slogged across says he usually eats a bowl of cereal and the desert. “I feel it’s important for everytries to start walking by 5 a.m., before the one to have the opportunity to just be a heat becomes unbearable. His mother and kid.”
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The Voice of the Homeless
Page 6
Volume XII, Issue 6
Page 7
Where Hate Crimes Occur 1999-2009
California 213 Florida 177 Texas 64 Ohio 59 Colorado 47 Illinois 42 Oregon 37 New York 34 Nevada 32 Arizona 23 Michigan 23 Pennsylvania 21 Washington 21 North Carolina 20 Alaska 17 Maryland 17 Indiana 14 Massachusetts 14 Maine 13 New Jersey 12 Tennesse 12 Arkansas 11 Georgia 10 Minnesota 10 Missouri 9 South Dakota 9
New Mexico 8 South Carolina 8 Virginia 8 Mississippi 7 New Hampshire 7 Oklahoma 7 Alabama 6 Washington DC 5 Hawaii 5 Kansas 5 Nebraska 5 Rhode Island 5 Connecticut 4 Kentucky 3 West Virginia 3 Wisconsin 3 Louisiana 2 Utah 2 Wyoming 2 Delaware 1 Iowa 1 Montana 1 Idaho 0 North Dakota 0 Vermont 0
100 + Violent Acts 50-99 25-49 15-24 6-14
In 2009: • 80 percent of the attacks were committed by people under thirty years of age • 98 percent of perpetrators were men • Nearly one in three attacks ended in death
0-5 Incidents Reported
Defining a Hate Crime (Continued from pg 1)
adequate, affordable housing or shelOver the past eleven years, hundreds ter space to meet the need. According of homeless people have been attacked to the U.S. Department of Housing and killed. While this report provides and Urban Development, alarming numbers, many Since 1999, The on any given night, over NCH has recorded one attacks go undocument664,000 people are homeed. Homeless people are thousand seventy-four less, and forty-two percent treated so poorly by soacts of violence of the homeless population ciety that their attacks is unsheltered. are often forgotten or unreported. In
Criminalizing the Homeless Community 2009 alone, one hundred seventeen incidents resulted in forty-three deaths. Since 1999, The National Coalition for the Homeless has recorded one thousand seventy-four acts of violence that resulted in two hundred ninety-one deaths.Violence against homeless individuals by housed individuals is an alarming trend that is not disappearing. Although there was a significant drop in incidents in 2008, the numbers show an increase again in 2009. Most disturbing is the number of deaths seen in 2009.
T
here is a documented relationship Not Handcuffs were cities in Florida. between increased police action and Florida is also the state with the highest the increasing numbers of hate crimes/vinumber of bias-motivated crimes against olent acts against homeless people. Again, homeless individuals. One possible exFlorida is a good case study. Many cities planation for this is the message that in Florida have enacted criminalizing homelessFour of the ten meanest severe anti-camping, ness sends to the gencities identified in Homes eral public: “Homeless panhandling, antifeeding, and other criminal- Not Handcuffs were cities in people do not matter and ization of homelessness are not worthy of living Florida. laws. Many of the cities in our city.” This mesmentioned in NCH’s bi-annual criminalsage is blatant in the attitudes many cities ization report are also cities where hate have toward homeless people and can be crimes against homeless individuals have used as an internal justification for attackfrequently occurred. In fact, four of the ing someone who is homeless. ten meanest cities identified in Homes
Homeless People Report On Hate Crime Violence
The Tale of a Homeless Artist
think you are treated by those who are not homeless?”, twenty-nine percent said that they were treated poorly, twenty-nine percent said they were ignored, and thirty-two percent said that they were treated well. The most disturbing answer/statistic NCH found, however, was to the question “In the last four years have you been attacked in your community by someone whom you thought was not homeless?” Twenty-six percent of those surveyed responded ‘yes’ and nearly a quarter of these reported that they had been attacked more than once.
I actually started doing drawings for a living in my senior year in high school. The teacher ran out of things to teach me, so he gave me credit to run an art business. Bitten by the entrepreneur bug after graduating high school, I went straight out to pursue art as a passion as well as a career without any more formal training. I was bored by the idea of sitting in a classroom, learning to do something that should come to you naturally and instinctively. My academic education ended after high school. I just wanted to get the hell out of there frankly, so
(Continued from pg 1)
(Continued on pg 8)
by Michael F. Brown
college was out of the question for me. Plus, growing up, my mother never pushed going to college on us. I was raised in a religious group called Jehovah’s Witnesses, until I left it for good when I was twentysix. That’s another story, so I won’t go into the details about that religion, though it did have a profound effect on my art and still does. A lot of the (Continued on pg 9)
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Case Descriptions: Deaths
to have been murdered by two men, Misuffered from post-traumatic stress synchael Andrew Baughman, twenty-two, drome, constantly having night terrors and Ryan Eugene Casch, twenty-two. and an inability to function out of depresThe men viciously beat Pac-Man to death sion and fear. Case felt that his disrupting with blunt objects. According to witbehavior was unfair to his wife and three ness accounts the duo went into the park children and decided to move to Florida “looking for someone to beat up.” Both for their own wellbeing. He was attemptmen testified to attacking the Pac-Man ing to find work in the factory industry, in a drunken rage. Each man received a and was planning to get off the streets twenty-five year sentence. by living with one of his daughters. Case Homeless People Targeted in Vicious had established a relationship with a loAttacks cal business and was allowed to sleep beTRENTON, NEW JERSEY - May 14, hind the building in return for custodial 2009. John Madden, fifty-eight, died after labor. He was attacked by Luis A. Rincon, suffering a beating with a blunt object. His the body under a bush on the outskirts of seventeen, and Robert A. Ramirez, eighbody was found with severe trauma to his the forest. Each of teen, who were both members of a local head and chest. It was later identified that the boys will be tried as an adult in the street gang; they severely beat him with a he sustained substantial brain bleeding case, though it is unclear if they will be bat and golf club. The attack seemed unand injuries to both sides of his head. He issued separate trials. One of the teens provoked, according to police. Case was was transported in an unconscious state to described the attack as liberating, stating found dead in his lawn chair the followCapital Health Hospital but never awoke. that, “it felt good” to beat Alcorn. He coning morning. Rincon will serve a thirty Police have identified that these types of tinued to say that he could not stop himyear prison sentence for his part in Case’s injuries are consistent with assault, not a self from striking Alcorn and was 90% death. fall or accident. Another man is recoversure that he had killed him. The attacks Couple charged with killing homeless ing in a Philadelphia hospital after being were clearly premeditated and deliberate man set on fire. While as the teens met earlier in the day at a loLAREDO, TEXAS – March 25, 2009. sleeping in a vacant structure, an uncal fast food restaurant where the plan to Twenty one year old Cruz Ramos, Jr. and identified man was burned when someone “kick a bum’s ass” came to fruition. Depnineteen year old Priscilla Garcia-Solis set his mattress on fire. He also sustained uty District Attorney Stew Jankowitz rewere arrested in Laredo, Texas after Ralacerations to his face. The motive behind ferred to the three teens as a “roving pack mos admitted to murdering a twenty eight the attacks remains unknown, but police of predators.” Two of the three teens year old homeless victim. The couple had presumed that the violence was directly have pled not guilty to the charges. Homea verbal altercation with the victim but related to the victims’ homelessness. less Man in Wheelchair Found Dead left without a physical incident. Later, the Homeless Man Beaten to Death with a SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA attackers returned to confront the homeRock April 23, 2009. Allan less man, after collectTULSA, OKLAHOMA - May 31, 2009. ing a wooden ax from They had been harassing McKibben was a homeSeventeen year-old Carlos Molina-AlvaRamos’ home. Ramos Barajas for two weeks before less man in a wheelchair. rez is charged with first-degree murder then began to assault the the night they murdered him. He was found dead by a in the killing of a homeless man after train station, without his victim with the wooden repeatedly hitting him with a rock. The prosthetic leg. His face ax handle while Garciahomeless man, Karl Chilcoat, fifty-two, had been scratched and his tongue was Solis violently kicked him. Police found suffered a crushed skull from the multiple severely bitten. Besides that, McKibben the homeless victim dead in an abandoned blows from the heavy object. The attack also had injuries to his collarbone and building. The pair has been charged with seems to be unprovoked. Alvarez will spine. Advocates believe that the circumfelony murder. Ramos is serving a thirty stand trial as an adult. stances of McKibben’s death indicate foul year prison sentence for the crime, while Assault on Homeless Turns to Manplay; however, officials believe that some Garcia-Solis awaits a trial. slaughter of his injuries may have been sustained Man Left for Dead in Street EUGENE, OREGON - June 28, 2009 before his death. KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - April 1, A Eugene man suspected of carrying out Homeless Man Killed During Unpro2009. While waiting for a bus, a forty-sevan assault on a homeless person has been voked Beating en year old homeless man was attacked by indicted on second-degree manslaughter KANKAKEE, ILLINIOS – April 27, two teen males. The attack was caught on and second-degree assault charges af2009. Edwin D. Smith, twenty-nine, was surveillance camera, and investigated by ter the homeless man died from a closed found by two fisherthe Kansas City Police. The exact cause head injury. Gerald Wumen beaten to death in of the altercation is under investigation. According to witness darski, a fifty-three year the Water Street Park. When the homeless man was punched, he accounts the duo went old homeless man, wanSmith died from internal collapsed into the street where he was run dered into Corey Freeinjuries in what police into the park “looking for man’s property looking over by a car minutes later. He was left in someone to beat up.” for aluminum cans when are considering an unthe street as his attackers fled, and later provoked beating. Caleb died in the hospital. Freeman confronted L. Atteberry, thirty-two, was arrested the Teen Charged with Murder of Homeless and chased Wudarski and another man next day and has been charged with firstMan down the street. Freeman “Most of us degree murder and two cases of aggravatHOLDEN HEIGHTS, FLORIDA - April have been mugged…I’ve had the back ed battery in Smith’s death. Atteberry is 17, 2009. The body of Ora James Light, of my head smashed open with a bottle expected to plead guilty and be sentenced a fifty-one year-old homeless man, was over $20.” - Resident of a tent city (Bucks to 20 years in prison. found under Interstate 4. Light’s abanCounty, PA) caught up with Wudarski Gang Members Murder Homeless Man doned body was found with multiple stab and punched him in the head. Police were WATSONVILLE, CALIFORNIA wounds. An eighteen year-old male, Tyler called by a neighbor and cited Wudarski April 29, 2009. Six gang members, aged Sturdivant, originally denied any connecwith criminal trespassing. He was intwelve to nineteen, chased, beat, stabbed, tion to Light but later admitted that he spected by paramedics and no serious inand killed forty-four year-old Jose Marie killed Light in self-defense. juries were found. The last time Wudarski Barajas. They had been harassing Barajas Homeless Man Beat to Death was seen alive is on a video surveillance for two weeks before the night they murTAMPA, FLORIDA - April 17, 2009. tape taken shortly after 6 a.m. at a local dered him. The gang members beat him Anthony Chatteron, forty, was killed by laundry mat. When employees found Wuwith bottles, sticks, and clubs before stabthree men after a verbal argument. Chatdarski unresponsive an hour later he was bing him three times. The six gang memteron believed that the men had stolen transported and later pronounced dead at bers were joined by Jose Carrillo, another from him. Chatteron died at the scene a local hospital. Freeman, twentyeight, homeless man, due to an unrelated dispute after suffering from trauma to his upper was sentenced to two years after pleading between him and Barajas. The gang membody. The men fled the scene and took off guilty to criminally negligent homicide. bers were motivated by the location of the in a car with a female driver. The police Homeless Man Left for Dead in Alley campsite where Barajas was a resident have not identified the suspects. MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI - June 29, and leader. It was located in their street Three Teens Kill Homeless Man 2009. The body of homeless man David gang turf. REDDING, CALIFORNIA - April 18, Caraway, fiftytwo, was found in an alHomeless Man Murdered in Drunken 2009. Three teenage boys are facing murley behind a Hope Village Thrift Shop. Rage der charges after they beat a local homeUpon initial review, physical evidence EUGENE, OREGON - May 11, 2009. less man to death. Using metal pipes of a struggle was not apparent. Once his Police in Eugene are investigating the and makeshift bats, the trio continually body made it to the autopsy it was discovdeath of homeless resident Herbert Taylor smashed the skull of Timothy Alcorn, forered that he had already been dead for two Bishop, fifty-six. He was discovered in a ty-eight years-old, until he lost consciousdays. Physicians determined that he died wooded area with severe blood loss and ness. Albert Sanchez, eighteen, John Hadof internal bleeding as a result of blunt head trauma. Bishop, known to friends ley Thompson, fifteen, and Jared Cory force trauma to his body. It was thus deand residents as Pac-Man, is suspected Voss, seventeen, then, attempted to hide (Continued on pg 9)
(Continued from pg 5)
The Voice of the Homeless
A bum you can trust - honest!
(Continued from pg 4)
ed me, and I didn’t want to violate that trust. I would never do that.” Valentine said he has been homeless for a few years, since he lost his job at a realestate company that had allowed him to sleep in the office. He said he now spends his nights in an Internet cafe whose staff allows him to sleep on their chairs. He said he was hungry and low on cash on Monday when he saw Harris standing with friends outside the restaurant. “I asked her for change and told her I wasn’t working,” he said. “She said she only had a card. She said, ‘Can I trust you?’ I said, ‘I’m honest, yes.’ “I went and bought a few things and came back and gave her her credit card back, and everybody was surprised. “I said thanks for trusting me. I guess she had a good sense of judgment. She knew I was trustworthy.” Valentine said he bought deodorant, body wash, a pack of Nat Sherman cigarettes and Vitaminwater. It all cost about $25, he said. “She was really lucky it was me she ran into” and not someone who would have stolen the card, Valentine said. “I was really in need. I only had a couple of dollars on me.” “It sets a good example that people in need -- like I am or worse -- can and should be trusted,” he said. “Everybody in the restaurant was surprised. They probably thought I would run off with the card.”
“I Will Never Be Homeless” by Bonnie Briggs
I will never be homeless, It won’t happen to me. I will never be homeless, I’m doing so well, don’t you see? I have a good job, a nice house and a car, I have everything I need to go far. I am not like those Welfare bums, To whom prosperity never comes. You know, the ones who don’t want to work, Any kind of physical labour, they shirk. All they want to do is drink, Some are not clean, and they stink. Then, I see a man, lying in the street, A tattered coat around him and no shoes on his feet. But, I sense that something is wrong, That somehow, this man does not belong. So, I decide to stop to say hello, And ask him why he fell so low. He once worked on a street called Bay, Making good money every day. Then, one day his job was gone. He was told, “just go on home.” He soon just didn’t care, His purpose in life no longer there. He lost his family, his home, and his car. In just a few months, he fell so far. So here he was, on the street, With a tattered coat around him and no shoes on his feet. Then I saw the lines on his face and the pain in his eyes, I will never be homeless, will I?
Volume XII, Issue 6
Page 9
The Tale of a Homeless Artist
NCH Executive Summary
images that I drew and still draw have a spiritual and sometimes overtly religious undertone to it. After graduating from high school, I became self taught, and by experimenting with pencil, pastel and color pencils combined, I naturally found my niche. For years after graduating in 1991, I’d done countless art shows in various galleries, clubs, banks and convention centers throughout the St. Louis area. At the same time, I was working regular jobs to pay the rent and bills, creating art and selling art on the side to private art collectors and doing commissioned artwork. Finally, in April of 2004, after many frustrating years of mediocre attention and success as a part-time artist, on a friend’s suggestion I uprooted my life and moved to Kansas City, where art is generally better supported than it is to be replaced. You know, just everyin St. Louis. day stuff we all feel we have to deal Since that move, I have been working with in order to make it and live. The as a full-time artist for over five years, uneventful cycle of life that becomes selling artwork to private art collecpermanent for most of us. I was bored tors all over the world through the use and felt like my life had no adventure of MySpace, as well as local art comto it. I took very little risk back then missions. I made one vow to myself and I was no closer to being a successwhen I decided to leave St. Louis and ful full-time artist, so I chucked that move to Kansas City - that I would life in search of something more. My live life as a full-time artist no matter feeling is that there has to be somewhat, without the help of a secondary thing more to life than working hard, job or anything that would take away maintaining a boring ordinary life and my focus as a full-time artist, even if I then dying like a tired old dog. There had to be homeless to do it. has to be an easier way to have a place This pact with myself was very imto lay your head at night and travel the portant for me to keep. I was challengworld if you want to, without breaking ing myself to step outside of my comyourself in the process. fort zone and the bubble I had created So after many struggles with various in St. Louis. Working simply to pay roommates, mostly about money, I dethe rent and bills leaves little time or cided that I didn’t want to waste my energy for art. It was and still is my money on maintaining one space anygoal to live my life on my own terms , more, that I wanted to travel and see without the constraints of ‘You Gotta the world where a lot of my art over Do This Rule’ in order to survive and the years had managed to travel to, but thrive. Doing what I love versus what not the artist. I can’t do that and mainI hate just to maintain a roof over my tain rent. Something had to give, and head, and not waiting a lifetime for I’m unwilling to go back to working a retirement where I can finally live hard at a crappy job just to live on my that way. And that’s basically how I own. Been there, done that. I wanted became homeless too, something else. So I Being homeless has after years of moving decided to crash at a from this apartment been a very eye-opening homeless shelter and to that apartment, beexperience for me. use any money I made cause art is an unprewith art for travel bedictable, unreliable way to make a cause I hadn’t seen much of the world living or regular income off of, which and I wanted to badly. is why we are often called Starving Being homeless has been a very eyeArtists. opening experience for me. I’ve made I’ve moved about eight to nine times friends with all sorts of characters and in the five years I’ve been in Kanhave formed a little community in the sas City. I’ve lived with all types of process. On the streets I see some of roommates to survive and maintain a the same people at the same places roof over my head until the past five I have to go - the churches and soup months, but I would always have to kitchens that serve on certain days and move after a certain point because my at certain times. income was too low. I couldn’t carry I have a great deal of compassion for my end of the rent a great deal of the the people that society has cast out of time because, quite frankly, the art its mist. I have a greater understanddidn’t produce enough profit. But my ing of people and their various addicdream, goal and entire reason for movtions that have destroyed their lives ing here is to make it as a full-time outwardly, but inside, these folks are artist without working some crappy still fighting to stay alive. I don’t see part-time or full-time job, just my art. myself as any better than any addict When I was living in St. Louis, I that I befriend along the way, though stayed at the same place for ten years. I have no vices as far as drugs, alcoI was very responsible with paying my hol or the common problems we asbills on time, had a bank account with sociate with homeless people. The a little money saved up and was workfunny thing is that most people are a ing hard, insane hours in hot, sweaty paycheck or unfortunate circumstance kitchens washing dishes for over fifaway from being in my position. Not teen years to maintain a safe but unhaving certain opportunities to sell my eventful life. That’s some hard labor, art and make a decent living at doing a lot of work for little to show for it at what I love has put me in this state, the end of the day, because I always and that makes me angry, frustrated, had next month’s bills to pay, rent was depressed, overwhelmed, down spiralways due the next month and the ited, determined, stubborn to continue credit card bills and such would still on the path anyway, and everything have to be paid the next month. The car (Continued on pg 11) and insurance would run out and have
In the past eleven years, the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) has documented over a thousand acts of violence against homeless individuals by housed perpetrators. These crimes are believed to be motivated by the perpetrators’ bias against homeless individuals or their ability to target homeless people with relative ease. The documented violence includes everything from beatings, rapes, and setting people on fire. Hate Crimes Against the Homeless: America’s Growing Tide of Violence is the eleventh annual report documenting violence against homeless Our data also suggests that the perpetrapersons. tors of these attacks tend to be young men The violence continues and with fortyand teenaged boys. In the eleven year three known deaths, 2009 was the deadlihistory of our hate crime reports the vast est year for attacks on homeless people majority of the attacks against homeless in a decade and the second highest since people have been committed by youth as NCH began tracking the violence in young as ten years old. In 2009: 1999. NCH has found startling data in • 80 percent of the attacks were comthe number and severity mitted by people under of attacks. However, the 80 percent of the attacks thirty years of age reports also acknowledge were committed by people • 98 percent of perpetrathat since the homeless under thirty years of age tors were men community is treated so • Nearly one in three atpoorly in our society, many more attacks tacks ended in death go unreported. Hate crimes against the Hate Crimes Against The Homeless: homeless community is a growing wave America’s Growing Tide of Violence in need of public attention. documents the known cases of violence • 1,074 reported acts of bias motivated against homeless individuals by housed violence have been committed against individuals in 2009. The report includes homeless individuals between 1999-2010 descriptions of the cases, current and • 291 homeless individuals lost their pending legislation that would help prolives as a result of the attacks tect homeless people, and recommenda• Reported violence has occurred in 47 tions for advocates to help prevent viostates, Puerto Rico and Washington, DC lence against homeless individuals.
(Continued from pg 7)
Homeless People Report On Hate Crime Violence (Continued from pg 7)
Another National Coalition for the Homeless preliminary survey of thirtyfive homeless people in Orange County found that forty-six percent of respondents had been attacked in the last four years by someone who they thought was not homeless. A larger and more comprehensive survey is being conducted in this county by the Homeless Network of Central Florida with the help of National Coalition for the Homeless’ AmeriCorps*VISTA Volunteers. Respondents’ attitudes toward the police were mixed. Twenty-five percent of those surveyed reported that the police were not helpful, while twenty-six percent reported that police were helpful. Similarly, twenty-one percent of respondents were not confident of the police department’s ability to protect them, while twenty-nine percent were. Despite polarized attitudes toward law enforcement, seventy-seven percent of respondents stated that they would report a crime if they witnessed someone being attacked and fourteen percent said that they sometimes would.
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Page 10
Case Descriptions: Deaths
(Continued from pg 8)
clared a homicide. Five teens have been less member of the community. They decharged with the murder of Caraway, yet manded that he leave the park where he their motive for this gruesome act is still slept. It is believed that Boner came out unknown. The teens aged sixteen, sevof his tent and told the teens that he would enteen, eighteen, nineteen, and nineteen not leave. This caused Hawthorne and were all arrested and charged with capiBoner to get into a tal murder. There does not seem to be a physical fight, which ended up with Bonclear purpose for the attacks besides his er being stabbed fifteen times in the back housing status, as his possessions were and once in the front. The teens then took not taken. pictures of Hawthorne flexing without a Homicide Detectives Investigate Body shirt on and with a camera phone. The of Burned Homeless Man teen left the homeless man bleeding and LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - July asking for help at the scene. Hawthorne 2, 2009. Los Angeles police are investiis being charged with murder. In July of gating the suspicious death of a homeless 2010, a jury found Hawthorne guilty of man who was found with burns marks on second-degree murder. In August of 2010, his upper body and face. Investigators are he was sentenced to thirty-eight years in trying to determine whether the man sufprison. fered the burns before or after his death. Homeless Man Killed by Fifteen YearLocals say the homeless man was a freOld Teen quent resident of the area. RENO, NEVADA - July 22, 2009. Eric Friends and Family of Homeless Man Burkhart, fifty-five, was beaten, stomped, Left Mourning and kicked to death at his homeless camp. BUCKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA James Pineda, fifteen, and his aunt Cheryl - July 7, 2009. John “Jack” Reil, fiftyMcFarland, who was currently homeless eight, died leaving many of his family herself, showed up at the camp in the midand friends devastated. “Nicest guy in dle of the night to collect money Burkhart the world,” and “Angel,” were just a few owed them for a speaker that he had damof the words used to described Reil. He aged when he had urinated on them two worked for twenty years for the same weeks before. Burkhart had already given company as a fork lift operator before he Pineda twenty dollars for the speakers and succumbed to his alcoholism. He lived on the night of his murder Pineda and Mcwith other homeless people in a “canal Farland took six dollars, a portable radio, town” where his aband some cigarettes from sence will be felt most. There does not seem to him. Burkhart was found According to his former be a clear purpose for dead with wounds on his “roommates,” homeless the attacks besides his face, chest, and groin. beatings are common. Pineda pleaded guilty to housing status They report “kids” come second-degree murder to hate and steal from the homeless. Reil and faces prison time of ten years to life. was found stabbed multiple times in an Four Stabbings on Sunset Boulevard apartment complex parking lot, according HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - Auto police. Jamal Smith, twenty-three, has gust 6, 2009. Four homeless men were been arrested after he allegedly admitted stabbed by fiftythree year-old Domingo to stabbing Reil fourteen times. He is beRodas. Police are continuing to investiing held on $5 million dollars bail. gate the motive behind Rodas’ stabbing Homeless Man Brutally Beaten to Death spree. The only immediate connection ANCHORAGE, ALASKA - July 12, between the victims appears to be their 2009. Two boys, Marc homelessness. All four victims were takEwing and Lawrence Lobdell, both eighen to the hospital. Unfortunately, two men teen, were charged with second-degree died as a result of their injuries. Keith murder after stomping a homeless man Falin, forty-three, and Roger Cota, fiftyto death. It was discovered that they were three, succumb to multiple stab wounds. drunk and high on marijuana. AccordThe other two men, forty-four and fiftying to police reports, they were craving one years old, are listed in stable condifood and liquor when they assaulted the tion. man. While walking through a park with Homeless Man Murdered by Polish Citia female companion, they came across zen James Lockery, thirty-seven, a homeless MONSEY, NEW YORK- August 9, man, trying to sleep. The duo attacked the 2009. Mariusz Lopata, a twenty year-old sleeping Lockery Polish citizen, was arrested and charged and stole his belongings. Lockery had with the murder of a fifty-four year-old seven dollars and a case of beer. homeless man on the night that he was Homeless Man Killed to return to Poland. Lopata faced secondOCOEE, FLORIDA - July 22, 2009. degree murder charges and was held withTwo teenagers were riding their ATV’s out bail. Judge Schoenberger refused to one day when they came across the tent release Lopata due to the severity of the of thirty year-old Joel Boner. The teenagoffence and because he had plans to leave ers, Hawthorne and Milner, both nineteen the country. Medical examiners have deyears-old, knew that this man was a hometermined that the victim died of multiple
injuries including facial fractures and internal bleeding caused by repeated punches and kicks. Homeless Brutality LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - August 14, 2009. Forty-one year-old James Mendola was found badly beaten and dead near a Desert Inn in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is the fourth homeless person to have been found murdered in many months according to Metro Police. Police have arrested Steven Montoya, forty-six, who is accused of punching and kicking Minnich who was begging for money. Linda LeraBob” throughout the community, because Randle El, director of “Straight from the he was often seen riding his bike through Streets” said, “There is definitely fear the Oklahoma City suburb. Police report among them because it is a lot of looking that Mason, “was very excited and hapover your shoulder or looking over your py,” following the killing. Another homeback.” less man was origiHomeless Man “Maybe they say this is a nally implicated in Stabbed to Death homeless man on the street, the crime, but charges EUGENE, ORdismissed after somebody killed him, oh were EGON - August 25, the arrest of Mason, well and let it go.” 2009. Lloyd Austin IV, Parker, and Kerr. thirty, plead not guilty Homeless man shot to the murder of James David Pelfrey, with high-powered rifle thirty-six. Pelfrey was found stabbed to NORTH LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS death in the park. A grand jury indicted – October 21, 2009. Forty-six year old Jim Gannon in connection with the stabbing Davis was walking along a busy intersecand well as other misdemeanor charges tion in North Little Rock, Arkansas when including carrying a concealed weapon, someone drove up and shot him with a escaping arrest, and attempted unlawful high-powered rifle. Police still have no entry of a motor vehicle. On August 18, leads, no suspects, and no understanding 2010, a judge convicted Austin of murder of the motivation behind this brutal and and sentenced him to 25- years-to-life in senseless crime. Davis’ sister told reportprison. ers, “Maybe they say this is a homeless Three Accused of Preemptive Murder of man on the street, somebody killed him, Homeless Man oh well and let it go.” However, detecEDMOND, OKLAHOMA - October tives are determined not to “let it go” and 18, 2009. According to a court affidavit, continue to air the case every Wednesday an informant told police that Adam Manight on the “THV 10:00 Difference,” a son, nineteen, had bragged about killing local television program in Little Rock a homeless man and had been planning featuring Arkansas’ cold cases. By mento do so for months. In addition, several tioning the case every week, the family people reported to police that Mason cut of Jim Davis and the North Little Rock off the finger of his homeless victim and police hope that someone who saw what was showed it off like a trophy. Accordhappened that night at the intersection of ing to court reports Mason gave the finger Broadway and Locust streets will come to nineteen year-old Heather Irene Parker forward with information. who threw it away. Morgan is charged Man Murdered in Alley with first-degree murder while Nikolas SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - November David Kerr, nineteen, and Heather Irene 1, 2009. Police have arrested a twentyParker have been charged with accestwo year old man in connection to a visory after the fact. The fifty-four year-old cious attack that killed a homeless man. (Continued on pg 11) homeless man was known as “Bicycle
FL Facts on the Homeless
In the past 5 years there have been 157 attacks on the homeless in the state of Florida. 2005-32 incidents, 2006-48 incidents, 2007-31incidents, 2008-30 incidents, and in 2009-16 incidents. Florida had the most incidents of any state from 2005 until 2008—4 years in a row. Florida was second to California in 2009. California-27 to 16 in Florida. Why the sharp decline in number between 2008 and 2009? I credit the following for this: A relatively high number of incidents
happening in Florida overall These incidents and the whole issue received considerable media attention The Florida Legislature took on the issue 5 times in four years keeping it in the public’s attention The launching of our community education project, the Faces of Homelessness Speakers Bureau in 2007. In 2009, we spoke 632 times to 56,873 people (primarily youth) in Florida. We now have 28 VISTAs in 20 counties in Florida.
Volume XII, Issue 6
Case Descriptions: Deaths
(Continued from pg 10)
Wilber Adalid Rodriguez is being charged Pompano Beach security guard who prowith the murder of a twenty-eight year-old vided “crucial” information required to homeless man, according to police. A witcapture seventeen year-old gunman Harry ness told police that he heard the victim Velez after he shot two men, killing one. say, “No, I’m sorry I offend you,” just beEustoquio Lopez, forty-six, was killed affore what sounded like someone being hit ter he was shot in the neck. Velez has been with a piece of wood several times. The charged with first-degree murder while his witness also reported hearing, “Don’t hit accomplice, Brady John Fisher, nineteen, me anymore,” according to an affidavit. has been charged as an accessory after the Police were called to the scene but were fact according to officials. Police say the unable to find the victim until the followyoung men intended to rob the homeless ing morning. Police reman who seemed like an Police say the young easy target. port that the victim was men intended to rob stabbed at least thirteen Two Arrested After times in the throat and the homeless man who Homeless Murder stomach. TEXARKANA, ARseemed like an easy Homeless Man Shot to KANSAS - December target. Death in Park 19, 2009. Two suspects NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - Novemhave been arrested in the beating death ber 3, 2009. While sleeping in a tent, of a homeless man. Demetris Jordan, Edward Matthews, forty-six, was fatally thirty-nine, and his seventeen year-old shot in the head. It is thought that the peraccomplice are in custody and charged petrator may be the same individual who with second-degree murder of a fortyshot another homeless man, sixty, in the nine year old homeless man named Jessie mouth eight months earlier. Both attacks James Latham. The pair allegedly beat the appeared unprovoked and occurred in homeless man to death with blunt objects. the early morning hours. Security Guard Police found the victim’s body behind Helps Solve Homeless Murder an abandoned house. No connection has POMPANO BEACH, FLORIDA - Debeen made between the parties as of yet. cember 12, 2009. Police are hailing a
NCH Recommendations The National Coalition for the Home-
people experiencing homelessness. less recommends the following: 5. Law enforcement agencies should 1. “Homeless status” should be inprovide awareness training for trainees cluded in the federal hate crimes staand officers about the causes and solutistics statute. Doing so would require tions to homelessness and how to deal the Federal Bureau of Investigation to effectively and respectfully with peocollect data on hate-motivated violence ple experiencing homelessness in their targeted against individuals who are communities. homeless. 6. Advocates and In the 111th Session “Homeless status” should service providers of Congress H.R. 3419 be included in the federal should provide opand S. 1765, which portunities for people were introduced by hate crimes statistics statute who have experiU.S. Representative enced homelessness Eddie Bernice Johnson and Senator and survived bias-motivated violence to Benjamin L. Cardin respectively, seek tell their stories. to add “homeless status” to the federal Faces of Homelessness Speakers’ Buhate crimes statistics statute. reaus (made up of homeless and for2. States with hate crime statutes merly homeless people), which visit should include “homeless status” within both public and private schools in comtheir current hate crimes framework. munities for the purposes of information 3. The U.S. Department of Justice and education, would be one method of should issue a public statement acknowlproviding opportunities for survivors to edging that hate crimes and/or violence share their stories. against people experiencing homeless7. Federal, state, and local governness is a serious national problem. ments should assure adequate affordable 4. The U.S. Department of Justice housing and services to bring an end to should issue guidelines, for law enforcehomelessness in our communities, and ment agencies on how to investigate and thus create safe alternatives to living in prosecute bias-motivated crimes against homeless situations.
Page 11
The Tale of a Homeless Artist
(Continued from pg 9)
positive and negative in between - just that fall out of our control, uneducated a whole host of emotions really. There to available programs that can actualare times I feel any one or all of these ly help us rise from our situation, and emotions in one day. mostly missed opportunities and a fair The so-called shelters exploit the chance to put our talents and skills to homeless worse than the streets, with work. the shoving of God, religion and polI’m not interested in a handout, but a itics down their throats. A lot of the legitimate shot at being a full-time artplaces that are supist. I don’t have an isI’m not interested in a posed to help simsue with working hard ply don’t. They are handout, but a legitimate to achieve my goals, abusive, disrespectshot at being a full-time but my energy and ful and nasty to the concern is about proartist. people who need their ducing art as a living assistance. The so-called caregivers and career, ultimately a legacy I want and saints of the community use us to leave behind as a voice, to tell my to make their quota, sell their brand story and those of others through art. of thinking and push their unorthodox Not washing dishes, sweeping floors teachings onto people who have very and cleaning toilets to maintain a life I little choice or power in the matter in don’t want. I think we all have a right their current state, whether that state and a responsibility to live a fulfilling was self-induced or otherwise. Sure, life doing the things we love versus there are a few in the bunch of folks loathe - that’s all I want and that’s all that are homeless that are just lazy and I’m trying to do. addicts that refuse to help themselves. If you would like to support Michael But I’ve found that most folks such as by ordering prints or even originals myself don’t necessarily choose to be of his work, please contact him at the homeless - we are forced to be through following address: ptmikebrown@yacertain tragic events, circumstances hoo.com
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