Local TV stations reported that two men beat and stabbed a homeless man while he was sleeping in an alley Ocean Beach. This happened just around 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 17th.
The unidentified victim reportedly told San Diego Police that he was awakened while sleeping in an alley off the 4800 block of Santa Monica Avenue near Sunset Cliffs Boulevard by two men attacking him.
The attackers ran off and the homeless man flagged down police to report what happened. He was transported to a hospital for the treatment of his non-life-threatening injuries, including a stab wound in his back.
The two men who attacked the victim were described as being between 20 and 30 years. San Diego police Officer Dino Delimitros reported this to Channel 6.
This, unfortunately, is not the first time a homeless person has been assaulted for no apparent reason – other than perhaps being accessible to the attackers by being homeless. There was a report last year of a homeless man being attacked and injured by a local OB gang right on Newport in the middle of the night. No one was ever prosecuted for it, despite security cameras in the area.
These homeless people are, for the most part, our veterans, our mentally ill, our disabled. The fact that they are vulnerable to this attack, and that our society includes people who would commit such an attack, is the shameful result of our nation’s conservative mindset.
We should implement the Salt Lake City solution nationwide.
Aging Hippie,
Do you live in OB? Because you’re quite mistaken. For the most part, these homeless people are our youth whom have chosen this lifestyle. They have chosen to run away, do drugs, and drink all day. They’re late teens, to mid-20’s, and have chosen to live a life on the streets. There is no excuse for violence, but they are well aware of the dangers of sleeping in alleys, and on the streets.
Isn’t it possible that this homeless man was stabbed by someone else who is living a life on the streets? Saying that this is a result of our nation’s conservative mindset is beyond ridiculous.
With all that being said, our veterans (which often become mentally ill), and disabled need more help. If there is anything shameful, it is not taking care of the men and women who have returned from military service.
You are a prime example of what’s wrong with our society. In spite of the evidence, you choose to believe that homeless people are young, that they are homeless due to drugs and alcohol (the reverse is actually true), that they choose homelessness because they are lazy. Then you use those lies to justify cruelty and atrocities.
Then you want to help our veterans, but screw the other people who are disabled or mentally ill because they didn’t go and fight in foreign countries for corporate profits, er, for freedom.
You’ve just proven my point that the evil conservative mindset is what gives rise to this kind of senseless violence in our society.
Sorry Aging Hippie, but I think Johnny wrote a reasonable response. There is no indication this had anything to do with a conservative mindset. The homeless population is made up of all sorts, people like you described and like Johnny described, they can’t be generalized. This may have been a hate crime but it is equally possible it was a case of other homeless types looking to rip off one of their own, which happens all the time. I think you were too harsh on Johnny.
Every attack on the homeless, whether physical, social, economic or political, is the result of the evil conservative mindset.
You are correct, the homeless can’t be generalized. Please read in the implied “most” or “the overwhelming majority of” in my statements concerning the homeless.
You are also correct that it could have been homeless on homeless. Having searched for more information, I’ve so far been unable to find out the victim’s age, veteran status, or disabilities, or whether the attackers were also homeless.
What you are exhibiting, Aging Hippie, is the same sort of blind prejudice that I’m sure you feel is unjust on anyone’s part. I’m a lifelong Democrat type of guy and I’ve met my share of conservatives that are fine people who would never condone this kind of thing. I may not agree with them politically, but on a personal level, many of them are decent people. I will, however, lay the blame on Ronald Reagan during his governorship and Presidency.
You can’t get any more general than “most” or “the overwhelming majority of,” those words don’t work for you, they work against you.
I think your heart is in the right place, I’d suggest not trying to simply the issue by picking a scapegoat, that’s their tactic.
“The United States has a single political party, the corporate party, the party of money. It has 2 right wings: the Democrats, and the Republicans.” – Gore Vidal
I vote Green, or I vote against the Republican, I don’t vote “for” Democrats (although sometimes that’s the only way to block a Republican).
To be clear, I was saying that although there are rare exceptions (the 7% mentioned above, but probably fewer), most homeless people are victims who did not choose to be homeless, and do not want to be homeless, and do not deserve to be homeless. In fact rather than “most”, I think it would be more accurate to say “almost all”.
It’s not a scapegoat if the accused (conservatives) really are guilty.
If you don’t agree with them, why do you continue to say or imply that the homeless are just lazy?
I actually agree with most of what you’ve said here. Except for two things. First, I agree that conservatives get the lion’s share of the blame but we all share in the blame to some degree. Second, I did not say, or imply that the homeless are just lazy. There is a portion of this group that does not care to work, that even you cannot deny, but only a portion.
Perhaps we have a little more common ground. I submit that that “portion” is less than the 7% mentioned earlier. Based on research indicating that 80% of homeless suffer mental illness, probably 80% of that 7% did not really choose to be homeless. So I would peg the percentage of homelessness via laziness at 1.4%.
Johnny- your opinion-based post does not stand up to the facts.
In San Diego- only 7% of homeless identified themselves as “choosing” it.
Oh- and the average age is 43-46.
Did you not think the stabbee could tell his peer-set from his attackers?
And I also felt that your posts indicates a preferential treatment for those that served and disabled say, over run-of-the-mill crack head crazy type. They all need help.
Oh, and this type of attack is becoming more common in OB (see FB OB crime watch page) and will be as people are more desensitized and more willing to blame the lower. indefensible rung on the ladder. I hope the attackers pay, and hopefully “karma” will see to that.
I shall also include the following info for ANY OBECIAN OR PT LOMAN OR SAN DIEGAN OR AMERICAN THAT THINKS THIS IS GOING AWAY.
/25/12
8
2009 – 7,892 –
up
4.1%
2010 – 8,574 –
up
7.9%
2011 – 9,020 –
up
5.9%
2012 – approximately 9,641
up
6.9%
Unsheltered = 5,267 (4,981 in 2011)
7.7%
Sheltered = 4,374 (4,039 in 2011)
8.3%
Homelessness In San Diego County
Point-In-Time Counts Since 2009
It’s fairly well accepted by agencies who support the homeless and those who count them, that at least a fourth or a third of all homeless are vets. 1/4th or 1/3rd
60% is the figure that I have seen.
Objamie, it is always good to see a post that contains facts instead of opinions. Perhaps you didn’t think of it, but could you provide an attribution for the facts you presented?
A few other things…
“In San Diego- only 7% of homeless identified themselves as “choosing” it.” Who asked the question? Why would anyone voluntarily admit they chose the lifestyle, a better question would be how many chose not to work, which leads to homelessness in some cases.
“Did you not think the stabbee could tell his peer-set from his attackers?” There is nothing in this article of the Channel 6 piece that said he did or did not identify his attackers as being from his “peer-set.” He may have.
What is the FB OB crime watch page?
And finally, your statistics cover the years during which we had a serious recession, and although possibly accurate, must be considered to be somewhat of an outlier, a bigger sample is necessary to draw these conclusions.
And right there is that conservative mindset. I think the 7% is probably high, answers from mentally ill people should not be counted in that figure and probably have been. But you think it’s low, because you continue to believe, despite the evidence, that the homeless are just lazy.
Her statistics covered the most recently available data, and part of what’s been claimed as “recovery”. In fact, for unskilled or low level workers, there has been no recovery.
It looks like you’ve attributed something to me that I did not say. I did not say the homeless are just lazy. Clearly a sizable part of this group is mentally ill, which has nothing to do with laziness. These are the people we need to be taking care of whether they are veterans or not.
We have some common ground then.
Raygun changed the criteria for institutionalization from “unable to function in society” to “a danger to themselves or others”. We’re unable to determine the latter premise successfully, as shown by our mass-murderer-of-the-week. And the narrower definition was instrumental in closing most of the institutions where many of these people should reside under care.
Don’t feed the trolls, Geoff. There’s no arguing with Aging Hippie regarding the homeless topic or the Marshmallow wars. All you will receive in response are arbitrary attacks on your character and straw man arguments.
While I appreciate the advice, Tyler, I think Aging Hippie represents a legitimate point of view and I don’t feel he is attacking my character so much as misreading what I have written. I am, like most folks, a centrist, so I take issue with what I feel are points of view on the far ends of the spectrum be they liberal or conservative. What we need is a better understanding of each other.
Agreed on your last sentence. I love debate, I just can’t seem to ever get in a discussion with him without being labeled hateful or “what is wrong with our society.”
Cheers to you for having far more patience than me.
Maybe if you didn’t start by calling me a troll just because I hold an opposing viewpoint…
A troll is someone who makes posts they don’t genuinely believe, in order to provoke conflict. I do not lie about my opinions.
So, maybe we can all desist in name-calling and just have a discussion of opposing viewpoints? No one likes it.
Keep at it Tyler, don’t let name-calling get you down, they are only words and the opinions of one person. Others are reading along remember.
Hi Geoff,
I utilized a report….that I “researched” (didn’t spend all day, for the record)
http://www.rtfhsd.org/pdf/2012-WeALLCount.pdf entitled : 5/25/12
1
A
Point-In-Time
Assessment Of
Homelessness In San Diego County
– 2012
The “question” was asked by the researchers and volunteers that did the polling.
That is the Face Book OB Crime Watch page….social media is being used to report crimes in OB, shame known “caught” theives (heh strange times huh?) and spread info and action moves.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/485531171466741/
&
https://www.facebook.com/pages/OB-Crime-Watch/423809714347824
I do not consider the recession “over”, I do not think homelessness is on the decline, I feel it is on the rise. I will continue to do my TINY part, yes I should do more but hey…
Objamie, thanks for posting the information for everyone to look at, it always helps to see the source of the information.
You are welcome. I consider this one of the most pressing American issues.
I think OB has more young, non-veteran, non-disabled, non-mental homeless people than normal – or maybe they are more visible. I have seen a few of the younger crowd with iPhones. I think OB’s liberal openness and non-judgmental hippie attitude attracts them – and the weather is nice too. OB is the perfect place for homeless “travelers” – especially when the cops have designated OB a “war-zone”. That is not just a nick-name – that is a real police designation and tactic coined by the Chief of Police for Boston in the 70’s. The idea is to designate one area of town a place of lawlessness so as to focus efforts on other areas – like La Jolla. I have heard many stories of OB cops not enforcing existing laws, not investigating crimes, etc. I have heard the cops say “if you don’t like it, don’t live in OB”. Sad but true.
I had that happen to me just a few weeks ago when I called in a 5150 case who hit his mother. They let him walk and told me “hey, you live in OB. Call us if he actually steps on your property.”
Any police officer who makes a statement like that should be reported immediately. Get a badge number and file a complaint. We all pay the taxes that pay their salaries and that kind of attitude needs to have consequences.
Already did. The worst part is they took 14 minutes to respond while I was on the phone with the 911 operator. They clearly had dealt with this guy before and didn’t want to deal with him again because of the 5150 implications. It’s the guy who always is screaming that the Sun is following him.
Are you saying you filed a complaint against the officer who said “hey, you live in OB?” If so, what happened?
I wrote an email to Western Division with explanation of what occurred and badge number. No response yet. It’s not the first time I’ve been stonewalled when reporting that the police were more than unhelpful regarding problems. I had multiple witnesses who heard them as well.
If you really want action, this kind of thing has to be done with a letter mailed to them. Letters are hard to ignore, especially if you send it certified. It is very easy to say they never got the e-mail, we all know the excuses about email. Even in today’s world of electronic communication, a letter carries weight.
You think that because it’s more convenient for you to think that, even though it’s not true. If you admitted to yourself who the homeless really are, then you would have to change your attitude about them or decide to hate our veterans, disabled people, and mentally ill people regardless of what kind of person that would make you.
Sorry man, just like you think it’s impossible that people freely deal drugs down in the parking lot near the pier because you’ve someone never seen it, the streets of OB are littered, especially during the summer, with “homeless” kids; The transients who often treat our town like a toilet bowl before moving along. You’ve never hit up the Wells ATM and been harassed for money by this group? And if you’ve said no, you and your wife get cursed at?
Yah, there’s always exceptions and generalizations blah blah blah. But any of us who’ve lived here long enough know that while we have a legitimate homeless population, we have a very large transient homeless crowd who disrespect our town and its residents.
So you’re ok with them getting stabbed then? Or does their age or veteran status or type of disability indicate whether it’s ok for them to get stabbed?
Your ability to respond with a non-sequitur is truly amazing. I applaud your effort.
Wow, quite a few comments here. Let me just address a couple of things:
ObJamie, good information, but I have to agree with Dan Shay who mentioned that OB seemingly has a lot more young “travelers,” as opposed to older veterans, disabled, and mentally ill homeless people. I’m sure the age of the homeless downtown are much higher than they are here in OB. Trust me, you walk down Newport and you can tell who is homeless by choice, and those who are homeless due to difficult times and circumstances.
I think we have major issues with a lot of the young homeless “travelers” disrespecting the community of Ocean Beach. Taking a walk along the cliffs the other day, there were sleeping bags strewn all across the beach with trash and cigarette butts everywhere. Same as over on the jetty on the north end of town. It’s a mess! They were all young, and healthy looking. These were not older vets or disabled people. I can’t even walk down Newport at 7:30 in the morning without seeing people drinking along the streets, and being asked if I want to buy drugs. It’s disrespectful, and it gets old.
Anyway…maybe when the conservatives can stop blaming liberals for everything that goes wrong, and the liberals can stop blaming the conservatives for everything that goes wrong, maybe then we can find a little peace, and things can begin to get accomplished. Until then…we’re screwed!
Well, Dr. Johnny, thanks for contributing your medical diagnosis. I have to say, quite amazing that you can tell a 19 year old who’s never been in the service from a 19 year old who got a TBI and PTSD in Afghanistan just by looking at them as you walk past, that’s impressive.
Once again, this insistence on blaming the homeless for their predicament leads directly to incidents like this one, where some kids take it upon themselves to punish the homeless person for his “choice”. Don’t pretend that you aren’t condoning this, if you blame the homeless.
The only problem with that theory is that everything that goes wrong really is the conservatives’ fault. Their positions and policies are based on greed and religious hate, and make the world just a little less nice for everyone, and a lot less nice for some.
Aging Hippie you are exhausting! Though you make some valid points, the fact that you continue to put words into peoples mouths when you state them is very distracting and counter productive. Recognizing a pattern in the type of homeless people that you tend to see in one area does not mean that you are ok with them being stabbed, it does not mean that you think homeless people are all lazy. Open you mind, man. If you want people to listen to your opinions and take you seriously you must do the same for them.
Excellent comment, OB Jess.
Just an FYI…it’s not as I just “walk past,” it’s called talking with them, and have them tell me straight to my face that “we’re not going to do what society tells us to do, man.” It’s about watching groups do drugs in the park in front of little kids. It’s about passing a bottle of Vodka around on the street corner at 8:00 am.
You, Aging Hippie really aren’t worth arguing with. Keep blaming everyone else for the world’s problems.
That’s all I’m responding to on this…I’ve seen this story before and it just goes around in a big, screwed up circle.
So because you saw a couple of kids or heard what one of them said, you’re going to generalize that to the entire homeless population, and use it as an excuse to hate our veterans, our disabled, and our mentally ill. Typical conservative.
Aging Hippie – are you an Internet Troll?
Also good: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=troll
You obviously do not know what an Internet troll is, it’s not just somebody who disagrees with your evil conservative viewpoint.
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