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Florida Ranks Most Dangerous State For Homeless...
"Forty-eight attacks last year ranks Florida as the most dangerous state in the country for the homeless; one third of the total for the nation.
The National Coalition for the Homeless issued its report on Tuesday that violence against the homeless is spiking across the country. It was the second year Florida ranked first in the statistics complied by this advocacy group, partly because of the 2006 beatings of three Fort Lauderdale men by assailants using baseball bats and a golf club. One victim died, and three teens have been charged with his murder.
In Fort Lauderdale alone, seven acts of violence against the homeless were reported last year. Only one U.S. city, Phoenix, reported more.
Sean Cononie, a Homeless advocate based in Hollywood said, "South Florida has really become the capital of vicious attacks on the homeless."
The coalition's report cited 142 violent acts nationwide in 2006, compared with 86 in 2005. Last year's attacks led to 20 deaths, five rapes and six people set on fire.
Why Florida leads the nation is unclear. California has double the number of homeless, yet reported only 10 violent acts last year.
Jessica Schuler, a policy analyst with the coalition, a homeless advocacy group, said it is likely Florida does a better job of reporting injuries and deaths. She also said Florida cities had become increasingly unwelcoming to the homeless and that this could be sending a message that "perpetuates dehumanization."
Cononie said rules in many South Florida neighborhoods make it difficult to operate shelters or distribute food, increasing the chances the homeless will be more exposed and vulnerable.
On the increase, Cononie said, is young men filming their attacks to mimic "Bum Fights," a controversial series of videos and DVDs sold online that depicts homeless people fighting or performing degrading stunts for money."
DON'T BE LIKE THE GUYS FILMING THESE VIDS
GIVE HOPE TO SOMEONE AT THE END OF THEIR ROPE
YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'LL GET BACK
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"Forty-eight attacks last year ranks Florida as the most dangerous state in the country for the homeless; one third of the total for the nation.
The National Coalition for the Homeless issued its report on Tuesday that violence against the homeless is spiking across the country. It was the second year Florida ranked first in the statistics complied by this advocacy group, partly because of the 2006 beatings of three Fort Lauderdale men by assailants using baseball bats and a golf club. One victim died, and three teens have been charged with his murder.
In Fort Lauderdale alone, seven acts of violence against the homeless were reported last year. Only one U.S. city, Phoenix, reported more.
Sean Cononie, a Homeless advocate based in Hollywood said, "South Florida has really become the capital of vicious attacks on the homeless."
The coalition's report cited 142 violent acts nationwide in 2006, compared with 86 in 2005. Last year's attacks led to 20 deaths, five rapes and six people set on fire.
Why Florida leads the nation is unclear. California has double the number of homeless, yet reported only 10 violent acts last year.
Jessica Schuler, a policy analyst with the coalition, a homeless advocacy group, said it is likely Florida does a better job of reporting injuries and deaths. She also said Florida cities had become increasingly unwelcoming to the homeless and that this could be sending a message that "perpetuates dehumanization."
Cononie said rules in many South Florida neighborhoods make it difficult to operate shelters or distribute food, increasing the chances the homeless will be more exposed and vulnerable.
On the increase, Cononie said, is young men filming their attacks to mimic "Bum Fights," a controversial series of videos and DVDs sold online that depicts homeless people fighting or performing degrading stunts for money."
DON'T BE LIKE THE GUYS FILMING THESE VIDS
GIVE HOPE TO SOMEONE AT THE END OF THEIR ROPE
YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'LL GET BACK
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