Homeless individuals across the country are being set on fire, raped, beaten, murdered, and harassed. Violence among the homeless continues to be an issue in San Bernardino County. According to the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH), hate crimes are popular amidst homeless. They are not committed by specialized groups, but by individuals who hold a strong resentment against these individuals. There are three different types of attackers, according to NCH. “Mission offenders” believe they are doing society a favor by cleaning the homeless off the streets. “Scapegoat offenders” focus their attention toward the power of a specific group in regards to race and ethnicity. Lastly, “Thrill seekers” seek pleasure in attacking those who are most vulnerable. (NCH) H
“The …show more content…
This is an ongoing problem that adds fuel to the fire.
On Sept. 18, 2015, a fatally stabbed homeless man was discovered at Pioneer Memorial Cemetery in downtown San Bernardino.
Moises Castrejon Jr, age unknown, was lying unconscious in the grass, where he had been apparently sleeping that night.
The attacker and motive is unknown and Castrejon’s case remains open.
“Many of us are only a few paychecks away from being homeless,” Visser said. “It could be any one of us.”
Lee Winters, 34, is new to the homeless community, and currently resides in downtown Pomona. He is recently divorced, and was unable to pay his rent after becoming unemployed.
“During the day, people are driving to work, riding their bikes, shopping and eating out,” Winters said. “At night, nobody is around and anything can happen to any one of us.”
“Law enforcement has been very aggressive in monitoring hate crimes and hate crime groups in the county in recent years,” said Dennis Christy, former district attorney for San Bernardino County. “They been just as vigilant in spreading the message that such crimes will be prosecuted to the full extent of the
“The …show more content…
This is an ongoing problem that adds fuel to the fire.
On Sept. 18, 2015, a fatally stabbed homeless man was discovered at Pioneer Memorial Cemetery in downtown San Bernardino.
Moises Castrejon Jr, age unknown, was lying unconscious in the grass, where he had been apparently sleeping that night.
The attacker and motive is unknown and Castrejon’s case remains open.
“Many of us are only a few paychecks away from being homeless,” Visser said. “It could be any one of us.”
Lee Winters, 34, is new to the homeless community, and currently resides in downtown Pomona. He is recently divorced, and was unable to pay his rent after becoming unemployed.
“During the day, people are driving to work, riding their bikes, shopping and eating out,” Winters said. “At night, nobody is around and anything can happen to any one of us.”
“Law enforcement has been very aggressive in monitoring hate crimes and hate crime groups in the county in recent years,” said Dennis Christy, former district attorney for San Bernardino County. “They been just as vigilant in spreading the message that such crimes will be prosecuted to the full extent of the