Homeless people exist in every major city in the United States and many other countries. You may have had some interaction with them in the past, maybe offering spare change or some other form of help. You’re not the only one trying to do your part. There are a number of agencies, some government supported, that provide assistance to homeless people.
One area of concern, however, is the number of homeless people who are mentally ill. It is hard to get an accurate figure as homeless people are sometimes on the move or encamped in derelict buildings. It has been estimated that over three million people will be homeless this year. Statistics put the number of mentally ill among this group at roughly 40 percent.
Dangers to the Public
There have been highly publicized cases of attacks by homeless people. In 1999 a woman in New York was attacked by a homeless man with a brick. More recently, another woman was attacked in Chicago as she left a grocery store. These cases and others have raised concerns among the public and government officials. Unfortunately, there is often no way to tell if a homeless person suffers from some sort of mental health issue.
It should be noted though, that homeless people are vulnerable to attacks as well. There have been incidents where they have been set upon and attacked without any provocation whatsoever. Sadly, some of them have died as a result.
It is advisable that a homeless person is seen behaving erratically it is best to notify the authorities immediately. The vast majority of homeless people pose no threat to people going about their business. There have been enough incidents to warrant some amount of caution. If possible, offer support, whether in the form or time or cash, to homeless shelters and support organizations.