Sorry for another homeless thread, just wanted to see if anyone else has had this experience.

So I generally dont walk around downtown because I dont feel safe down there, but I will walk about twice a month to my barbershop - about 5 blocks from work.

On 3 of the last 4 trips I have been walking by a homeless person who will aggressively walk/lunge towards me with their fist half cocked screaming, like they're going to attack me. When I posture to fight back they will just stand there and scream - its like they're trying to bait me into hitting them. Every time I have just walked away after a couple of seconds, and they've never followed me, but is this some kind of shakedown attempt? If I hit them do they threaten to call the cops unless I give them money or something?

Nothing to add, but great username.

I've never experienced the situation you described, but it's interesting. Is it happening in the same location? Same person or no? Any other details about the individual?

Sucks that you don't feel safe walking around. I'm on foot far more often than in a car these days, and I don't see any real danger lurking regardless of hour. I don't walk past the arch, but everywhere else is in play.

A few things jump into my mind:

1) They're trying to bait you just like you described. Shakedown for cash.
2) They're just F'ing with you to get a reaction. Entertaining themselves.
3) They're genuine nuts and dangerous. Mace that ass and keep walking.

Who knows what they're trying to do? Like Chet said, it could be a myriad of things. It's tough to apply rational reasons to irrational people.

I dont spend much time downtown these days...but are you saying you dont feel safe walking around during the day? Things havent gotten that bad have they?

Also, did they clean up the homeless encampments downtown, like they've been trying to do up north? Last time i was there, it was a small tent city all the way down the sidewalk of Cesar Chavez.

AgGrad99 said:

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I dont spend much time downtown these days...but are you saying you dont feel safe walking around during the day? Things havent gotten that bad have they?

Also, did they clean up the homeless encampments downtown, like they've been trying to do up north? Last time i was there, it was a small tent city all the way down the sidewalk of Cesar Chavez.

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No, things aren't anywhere close to that bad. Different now? Absolutely. But not dangerous unless you're hanging out by the arch. I very regularly go for 10-11pm walks and never feel unsafe.

The camps were cleaned up, and Cesar Chavez is no longer tent city. The problem is that the tenants seem to have simply moved down the hike and hike trail a bit. Most have relocated to pleasant valley by the dam. So they're out of sight for most people, but they're not gone.

Edit: I will note that I'm not trying to invalidate someone else's opinion. I honestly do think it's unfortunate that anyone feels unsafe, as I do not, but their opinion is still valid.

Mental illness. Keep walking

Two times it might have been the same guy (frail old man, not one you'd actually be concerned about trying to fight you), one time it definitely wasn't.

Every time its been on Brazos street between 7th and 10th.

As far as feeling safe, most people seem to feel okay walking around downtown and I seem to be an outlier. It seems like I cant walk downtown at all without people at least screaming at me, getting in my face, or trying to con me into giving them money.

If you park your car anywhere downtown you will have like three homeless people walk up to you to "help" you pay the meter, and then get mad when you wont give them any money. I cant believe people think this is normal/safe.

Just my $.02, I'm not trying to scare anyone off.

Ragnar Danneskjoldd said:

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Sorry for another homeless thread, just wanted to see if anyone else has had this experience.

So I generally dont walk around downtown because I dont feel safe down there, but I will walk about twice a month to my barbershop - about 5 blocks from work.

On 3 of the last 4 trips I have been walking by a homeless person who will aggressively walk/lunge towards me with their fist half cocked screaming, like they're going to attack me. When I posture to fight back they will just stand there and scream - its like they're trying to bait me into hitting them. Every time I have just walked away after a couple of seconds, and they've never followed me, but is this some kind of shakedown attempt? If I hit them do they threaten to call the cops unless I give them money or something?

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Yes it is, maybe not a scam but they know how to get away without repercussions. I have this crazy ***** continuously coming to my Cstore screaming and threatening my staff, when I confront her/him/it she eggs on "STEP BACK! DON'T Fn TOUCH ME!!"

I want drive a metal bat through her skull daily. Police won't do JACKSQUAT.