Published stories are not the views of Save Austin Now PAC, simply the raw stories shared by Austinites.

“A young woman that works in the Frost building was out walking to get lunch. A homeless man, unprovoked... punched her in the face... injuring her, and breaking her glasses. We need to take back our streets. APD was so backed up, a simple assault is not a high enough priority to get a timely response. We have our City Council and Mayor to thank for the rapid deterioration of our beautiful city.”

— Downtown Worker

Kenny

I was driving my 4 yr old daughter and as we approached a stoplight near the Golds Gym off Ben White. My daughter yells "ewww daddy. He's peeing.". As I look over, my daughter and I can clearly see the mans penis . He was within 20ft of us. I honked and he flipped me off.

A good girlfriend of mine was assaulted running the Lady Bird Lake trail. A man tried to pull and drag her and luckily other runners saw and came to help. The man was large and they had trouble fighting him off.

Sydney

I own a business that requires me to visit offices and homes. I will no longer go to certain areas of Austin. I have owned by business for over a decade, when I do drive downtown I notice less and less people biking or walking, I notice trash and tents everywhere and the smell in some areas. I am very thankful that I live outside of the city where I don’t have to live in this mess daily.

I am Austin native.

I have been here for 35 years. When I was in high school in the early 2000’s it was safe for high school girls to wonder 6th street and walk all the way up it to Starbucks then all the way back down to the parking lot under I35 on a Saturday night. Think about that. Think about even a group of grown woman trying that today. Let alone parking a car under I35 and 6th street at night!

Sam

I work in the security industry and we have seen a massive increase in aggressive panhandling, public deification, clothing and paper waste. We were called recently to one masturbating in a apartment amenities area. *SICK!* These transients just don't care, they know that APD won't or can't do much. And not that I blame APD, I blame The City Council.

Persephone

There are multiple tent cities in our Zilker Hills neighborhood and there have been multiple breakins, petty thefts - there was even a massive fire in one of the encampments that destroyed property and land. There’s a clear need for resources and housing and likely case management support for people living on the street; however, the strategy of deregulation has proven to be more harm inducing than help.

Sara

When I moved to Austin 10 years ago, I loved going downtown to shop, have dinner, attend concerts, operas, and listen to music.
However, now that lawlessness has prevailed, turning our once beautiful city into an outdoor toilet lined with tents, I have ceased spending my time and money there. When in my car at a stoplight downtown, intoxicated people surround me, demanding money and pounding on my car. They shout and call me vulgar names. Now when friends and family come to Austin to visit, I tell them to avoid downtown because it is unsafe there.

Laurie

When I first came to Austin 11+years ago, I found a glorious, friendly charming city. a downtown and surrounding neighborhoods safe and on the move up. I'm city savvy, and so always kept a clear eye out.The homeless population, always present, engendered compassion, not contempt. With the City's grand experiment, though, the dream abruptly ended. The homeless population has mushroomed, become increasingly aggressive, crude and dangerous. Our stable, close knit neighborhood is becoming less appealing for me. It's hard to pay exorbitant property/city taxes when you have squatters constantly threatening residents, broad daylight and nights. I am actively seeking to sell-take the money and run. And apparently the CA/NY exodus makes it very lucrative, currently.

I wonder, however, how long this will last. How soon will this all dry up, once word gets out? When people looking to move here figure out that Austin has become just a gross as other major cities? The irony of a city leadership so progressive on COVID shutdowns and safety protocol juxtaposed with their decision to make certain the streets became dangerous for all is not lost on me. It makes me deeply sad for a city I have loved from day one.

Anonymous

I was the 1st car in line at a stoplight, when a man made a beeline for my car. It was after 10m, and as a woman alone, I was intimated by his direct approach to my window. He became angry when I would not acknowledge him and roll my window down. He began hitting my car with his sign and when the light turned green, he covered my windshield with it so I couldn't see the road. I was extremely freaked out. Lawlessness is unsafe, for everyone involved.

Olga

No me siento segura de caminar entre ellos, pienso que la Ciudad debe de ayudarlos y a nosotros porque antes Austin no era asi ahora esta lleno por todos lados de personas acampando y tambien tiran mucha basura este no es el Austin de antes

NA

Public spaces for shopping and outings are no longer safe, you are basically walking in someone’s private living space on the sidewalk!!! It’s a shame people are basically building subdivisions on the highway. I’ve seen people walking across the highway, it’s scary to drive at night.
I have had anxiety when I have to walk into a store alone. I just want our beautiful clean city back.

S

Working retail and watching your companies merchandise walking out the door without a care in the world. We are talking hundreds of dollars a day of stolen merchandise for most business' downtown. The does not even include damages done to buildings. They know exactly how much time they have before the police arrive. Using store bathrooms for their personal bathing. Shooting up in bathroom stalls and leaving behind their needles. The loss transcends down to the consumer. Most of our south HEB's have armed security, for customer and partners safety. Its hard to sympathize with their plight when they have ZERO regard for anyone's personal space, businesses and their own living area (tent cities).

Jay

I drive a large tow truck here in our great city. A couple of days ago, I was at the stop light of C. Chavez and 35. There’s a few homeless guys out there washing windshields. One on them approached the SUV in front of me and starts to clean the glass of the vehicle. I can clearly see the driver of the car signal him not to bother with it, he does it anyway. While he’s working, I can see the driver digging around the inside of her vehicle, trying to come up with some type of payment. He then walks up to her window with his hand out and she gives him some change. He then starts yelling and calling her horrible names. He then violently stars to kick her vehicle, repeatedly, leaving a large dent in her door and completely breaking her mirror. I honked my truck horn and told him to stop. He started yelling at me, so I jumped out my truck with a 4’ crowbar and chased him off. I asked the young lady in the SUV if she was ok and asked what happened. She said that all she could find in her car, to give to the homeless man was a quarter. She, just like a lot of people, doesn’t carry cash. The homeless guy was not satisfied with just a quarter and that’s why he went crazy on her. As I left the scene and started entering IH35, I looked down at the corner of 6th st. just in time to see a woman pull up her dress and start pooping on the corner!
I absolutely love this city. But something needs to change ASAP!!

Lauren

I live in a walkable neighborhood in south Austin near the intersection of Menchaca and Hwy 71. Many businesses like El Chilito, Dan's and Radio we used to be able to walk to. Now it is unsafe to do so, especially with our children, and in some cases the side walk is completely blocked. This area is also adjacent to an elementary school where incidents do occur. Something should be corrected before someone, potentially a child, is seriously hurt.

NA

We went to a restaurant on S. Lamar around 5:30 pm where a homeless man sitting near the entrance was throwing hand made 'shanks' at vehicles driving by on S Lamar including our car. Police were called by the staff who saw this & there was a full blown altercation in the parking lot because the man was high & resisted arrest by fighting the officers. We deal with screaming chaos of homeless people walking down the street just screaming at nothing, everything, passing cars.

I was born and raised her for past 40 years. This is Not the great city it used to be. My family is eager to move out of this noisy, stinky city as soon as possible. It is so sad we tax payers are being penalized by this self serving decision by Adler and the city council.

Brooke

I was walking down Brazos about 6 months ago and witnessed a homeless man masturbating on the sidewalk. I couldn’t walk away fast enough.

Downtown Worker

I went to Wendy's at I-35 and 7th Street for food, and while waiting in line had a homeless man press his face against my passenger side window and just stood there staring at me. When I finally acknowledged him, he started screaming that he was going to break my window if I didn't roll it down and give him money (fortunately the line moved and when I stepped on the gas he stumbled back then left). I have found several different homeless men asleep on or standing on the back porch of my office at night asking for money or rides to different places (and I work very close to the courthouse and jail which doesn't deter them at all!!) My family was cleaning out my grandmother's house to sell and one day found a homeless man asleep in the house - we had found evidence that someone was breaking in for several months but finally caught him in the act. (He had destroyed several things in the house, had gone through several boxes we had packed and had clogged up the toilet to overflowing since we had the water shut off) I have also had them approach me while waiting in line at Taco Cabana on Ben White demanding I buy them food and large drinks. I have had them walk up and pound on the roof of my car while waiting in traffic on 7th street downtown or walk out into the street in front of me at Ben White and Menchaca. Our city is filthy and an embarrassment.

Mayra

I work in the downtown area , it was beautiful at one point , now I do not feel safe getting out of my car alone , unfortunately the homeless in that area are very aggressive if you do not give them money when they ask , they verbally threatened people , as well as I have seen a few follow people around to see what they have or where they are going . Not to say the downtown park area is just filled with trash and junk , even after trash cans and sanitizing areas have been placed they seem to not use them , instead they vandalize them or they end up missing , I’ve also notice homeless people with cars just parked and live in tents or in the cars themselves. Austin has always helped the homeless but unfortunately most don’t want the appropriate help , they will choose drugs and alcohol before anything. I’ve witness many times homeless people selling drugs, it’s just not a safe place for anyone and especially in this time when COVID is so active they are not just at risk themselves but putting anyone around the area at risk. As an austin resident for more than 25 years this has been the worst we have seen Austin get , we love the term keep Austin weird but now it’s just way out of hand .

Bridgette

I work downtown and the disgusting displays by the homeless by peeing and pooping on the streets is not only gross bu a serious health issue, not to mention the majority of them are on drugs. You can’t even stop at a light without having one of them banging on your car window. I have had several of my guys get assaulted by them or threatened by them. I can’t even walk to my site because of the harassment without being in a group of men. Downtown Austin is not safe !! Austin has become the new San Francisco... We need to do something now !!

Anonymous

I live in an apartment community 1/2 mile from the 183 overpass where a homeless encampment has been rapidly increasing. We have: homeless taking baths and washing clothes in community pool, sleeping in dumpsters, dumpster diving and leaving trash everywhere, theft from patios, attempted break-ins, sleeping in community laundry room, and stealing packages.
The encampments under the 183 overpasses have trash everywhere and are disgusting. I have homeless approaching my car when I stop at lights. I won't go downtown anymore as the homeless situation there is out of control.
I've written to the Austin Mayor and City Council numerous times. I made the decision to move from Austin and can't wait to leave this once beautiful city.

Karen

My family was taking Senior photos next to a mural near The Driskill Hotel, when a person decided it was a good time pull down his pants and pleasure himself. If this post make you feel awkward imagine navigating around this scene.It’s unsafe and most certainly unhealthy. Not to mention, unsightly! What are you thinking?!

Scott

I recently moved from LA where the homeless epidemic is clearly outrageous. And to a smaller scale, I’m seeing a lot of similar patterns develop here in Austin. Please don’t follow in LA’s mismanagement-footsteps.I visit several businesses in the Riverside Dr. and Pleasant Valley area, and leave there sometimes terrified because homeless approached me asking for money and get aggressive when you don’t have any to spare. On occasions homeless people in the businesses who are looking around following you terrified to leave the store,I’m not going again without having my husband with me. The Riverside Dr./Pleasant Valley has gotten to dangerous and scary.

Mary

While driving down the street to go to the aquarium store a homeless woman had a bag of oranges. She was throwing them one by one at people next to her and at the cars driving by while violently screaming. I was so afraid. My husband and I NEVER go to downtown Austin anymore. Get rid of Adler.

Darcie

As the saying goes "desperate people, do desperate things". There is no reason to visit our shit hole downtown! When did this type of destruction become acceptable? Its a disgusting example of enabling! Its not serving anyone's benefit, especially the homeless!

Sandra

I drive my daughter to school in the morning. We got a red light and stopped at Menchaca and Ben White. A homeless female walked to the side of the freeway where we, along with other cars, were and pulled her shorts down exposing herself before squatting to poop. At that location under highway 71 the tents and trash is out of control.

Anonymous

I saw a man pooping on the side of 360/Mopac in front of all of us sitting at the light.

Jimmy Lpoez

Over here by Parmer across from the HEB, a big Camoung ground with numerous Shopping 🛒 Carts, at least (9) Bikes. Thrown Trash Everywhere. Empty Tents, Dirty Clothes everywhere. This City is going to crap. We need to get Rid of this lame ass Mayor. I Guarantee there are No Homeless bums in his neighborhood 🤔👎😱

patcey klinewell

austin looks like thee end of the world

Eliot Stone

Austin once had a public transportation system that provided for all, regardless of class. Buses were clean, timely, and served as a public facing representation of our city's values to visitors. Today, I rode the bus for the first time in over a year; it was filthy and smelled identical to a gorilla enclosure at a zoo. Once a proud citizen, I'm increasingly embarrassed to live here and shocked at the lack of humanity these relaxed policies show toward the homeless. We must do better than this.

Joel

I’ve seen ...

....A homeless man passed out in the middle of a downtown street.
....An elderly couple verbally assaulted walking down a downtown sidewalk.
....The filth and trash spread throughout the city - with no one making any effort to clean it up.
....human feces on the stairs of a downtown parking garage.

It’s sad to see the rapid deterioration of a once beautiful and pristine city.

June

Austin is no longer a safe place, homeless everywhere under 183 bridge, no one can walk around safe, trash everywhere. We either remove the mayor from office and re-elected a new mayor has common sense to fix the issue, or watch this beautiful city to be destroyed in front of our eyes. Don’t turn Austin like San Francisco homeless campground.

Monica

A man on 183 and Lamar got in front of my car raised his arms like we had done something to him and started cussing at us. Flicking us off and yelling racial slurs. The City needs to be cleaned up, we cannot be #1 City for homeless. Half of them don't want the resources offered, they don't want to abide by rules. They can't be creating filth and destroying the City on tax payers dollars. How are they reping on benefits paid for by our taxes and they don't even pay taxes!

Dean

While working for a company in downtown I saw a homeless man scream at people with a machete. It was terrible. I was born and raised in this city and I am ashamed.I live off wells branch still in travis county and the homeless live in the disk golf area my apt back up to that area and ive had 2 homeless people knock on my door asking for money. This has to stop

CarolI

do not live in Austin, but I visit frequently to purchase supplies and visit friends and family. I am disgusted every tine I come! This is the Capitol city of Texas!!! It should be a crown jewel not an eyesore, a pigpen and full of those who intimate and threaten! What the Mayor is doing now is not working.StathisThe problem is our Mayor with the City Council for the deterioration of our beautiful Austin.....!!

Patricia

I am a native Austinite and am disgraced about what Adler has done to our city. My adult children work downtown and have been assaulted and robbed by the homeless I myself witnessed a woman doing her business with no embarrassment whatsoever. I used to be so proud of or clean city but no more this is an embarrassment and a disgrace to our community. What happened to KEEP AUSTIN BEAUTIFUL!! I even heard that Adler was giving out tents to encourage people to start living on the streets. I do not see this in any other states. We need city council members who care about our city and that are not here just to try to make a name for the themselves!

Elvira Alanis

In the summer of 2019, I was accosted in broad daylight in downtown Austin. Everything from the sunglasses on my face was taken . I’ve lived in Austin for over 20 years, and never experience the terror in walking our beautiful downtown!

Brooklyn

I moved here 15 months ago. In the time I’ve been here I’ve seen the homeless population increase exponentially. I can’t drive anywhere in the city with my windows down without being harassed for money. At many stoplights around the city I have to beg the homeless to not “wash” my windshield with their buckets full of dirty black water. I’m afraid to park my car anywhere downtown (where I work) and I won’t even walk on dirty 6th. I’ve been followed to my car. I’ve been yelled at for not giving away my hard-earned money. I’ve been harassed while sitting at outdoor restaurants. I now have a huge homeless encampment next to my apartment off slaughter and have to constantly worry about my car and apartment being broken into even though I live in a gated community in a nice area. The homeless alone have been making me consider leaving Austin already even though this is one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever been to.

My 6-year-old daughter and I went to a matinee play at the Paramount. Afterward, we walked across the street to grab a hot chocolate. There were several street people, and one kept whistling at us. I felt very unsafe. Another stood outside the window of the cafe where we were sipping our drinks. We offered him some fresh food on our way out, but he said he only wanted cash. It made for an uncomfortable day downtown. I don’t know that I’d take my daughter there again anytime soon.

Hannah

I got followed into my apartment building on Rainey st and had to call the cops I got lucky two other women walked in a bit after so I wasn’t alone with him. I’ve also been chased on 6th street. It’s hurting businesses and the environment. It’s not safe for anyone.

Robert

Late at night a under an overpass a homeless man ran across the u-turn lane, I nearly hit him, but quick reaction dodging instead messed up my tires? What if I had hit him? What if I had killed him? I would have been liable, not this completely idiotic city council, imagine that same thing happening to your young college students? Austin is not safe, not clean, and this is not compassion is lawlessness that enables the homeless problem, not solves it.

Miriam Jaimes

I can’t go running by my self any more it does not feel safe!! My daughter turned 17 and was going to go running and I did not feel safe for her anymore!! I believe the city can help in other ways!!

Kayla

At my work we would drop the trash behind the building. We sell concessions and men would come up demanding for the half eaten trash and even had requests such as hot dogs or Hi C. We started having to have at least groups of three go out together for safety measures as the aggression increased when we couldn’t provide what they wanted by choice or circumstance. They’d pop the lock off and camp inside the large trash bin as well.

Downtown worker

I have co-workers from out of town that are no longer interested in coming to Austin because they refer to it as the “homeless city” and feel unsafe.Austin will no longer be a destination for conventions or vacationing. More income lost, more jobs lost, and more crime due to the extreme negligence of our city council. As a local I choose not to dine or shop downtown. Not to mention the trash and feces creating a toxic environment. This a lose lose for all. We must change this.

Demy

As a professional and an Austin resident, I am embarrassed of all the new construction that is going up in our City. Our City used to be beautiful and I was proud to live here. But now I am embarrassed and I feel sorry for all the new apartment complex around the city since the city is now a trash dump, and this is NOT only on the down town area is all over the city.This needs to stop, all the trash, all the drug transactions, all the violence and murders that are now happening all over these areas needs to stop. Why doesn’t the city just buy a big piece of land out side of city limits and have them camp there and not anywhere near our City? Let’s be proud again of being In our City. Let’s think of our Children that are our future in this city. Let’s make it safe again for them that now can’t even walk to school in peace.JaneI used to love to eat at Koriente on the patio. There were always homeless people by the tunnel across the street but so many more now they had to close the patio because it’s unsafe. You are harassed and threatened just trying to park in their parking lot to go inside for takeout.

Don

Just driving thru on I-35 and seeing all the "campers" along the roadside and under any bridge is such a glaring testament to the failing of your city government. Maybe replacing them will be a start in getting your city back to its former glory.JimI moved here when this city was the garden of eden. Now it is as ugly as any city I have ever seen. This species has managed to trash out every part of Terra, including Austin.FredI’ve driven a bus in Austin for 32 years. The change I’ve seen is indescribable. I drive a route from the Westgate transit center at Ben White and Manchaca. The parking used to be full of downtown commuters and UT students. Now it’s completely empty with homeless people sleeping at all the stops and using the place as a bathroom.

Adam

I work on 5th and Trinity and truly do not know where to begin. I park in the Austin convention center and have grown accustomed to seeing homeless men injecting drugs between their toes in the stairwell. I have been threatened for not giving money, seen a homeless woman wipe her feces on the window of a small business, and am ceaselessly followed and shouted at for avoiding interaction (all in a week’s commute). There an active drug ring operating in the alley of 5th and Neches (directly behind my office) that employs the homeless, using them as look outs for police. Their payment is drugs, which are consumed in the alley in full view of myself and coworkers. Downtown has become dangerous. I would highly recommend avoiding it, particularly if you are elderly, or female. I have seen homeless regulars in the area corner women, threaten old men and attempt to steal tip jars from food trucks when refused money. It is frightening going to work every dayLeft doctor office around Ben White and Lamar. Stopped to get gas and was surrounded by 4 homeless demanding money. I stopped the gas pump and quickly got in my car. Will NEVER go over there again.

78704

Two homeless men we’re stalking homes on our street for many days in a row. One afternoon, they proceeded to break into a neighbors home while they had briefly stepped out. Only after reviewing security cameras did we realize the severity of the situation. Same person still walks through the neighborhood presumably stalking other people’s homes.
On a different occasion, a homeless man was found on another neighbor’s porch near his front door, passed out drunk. It was 8 am.
And on another occasion, a different neighbor found a homeless man sleeping or sleeping it off at his backyard gate. The neighbor woke him and offered the man water but the sleeping man was immediately aggressive and the situation escalated quickly.

All happened on the same street and during the day.
Police reports were made on all issues.

Educator

A friend visited family members in Austin recently. They said Austin had turned into a “dump”.
The taxes we pay to live in a dump are astronomical. My daughter lived off Ben White and Manchaca, She ride the bus to work, was always hassled for money. A homeless man slept outside her apartment door under the mailboxes. The locked gate did not keep them out. Lots of criminal activity around her complex. I was go happy when she moved.WendyI'm 66 and used to love walking in our Galindo neighborhood especially during this time of covid. A few weeks ago a woman just went #2 right on the corner of 5th street and Herndon on a neighbor's front yard. I also can no longer take my grandchildren to Gillis playscape. Too many stray needles and other fecal matter in addition to homeless sleeping a yard away.We used to spend time on 6th Street and other areas of Austin weekly... have not done this in the last 3 years because we don’t feel secure walking around, having panhandlers approach and become belligerent! Don’t take visitors to see the sites any longer either. Austin used to be a great, friendly interesting town and it has now become a sorry sight to behold.... filth, garbage littering the areas, human feces... it is disgusting! If Adler and his cronies continue to destroy our streets we are on our way to becoming just another filthy San Fran and Los Angeles! This has to be stopped as it has already gotten out of hand! Let the city use our tax dollars to build homeless shelters with all needed utilities, in areas where there are acres of land to house them.... and make rules! We all have to take responsibility for our behavior!I was followed by a homeless man for several blocks and then he proceeded to show me his genitals. Austin is not a great place to raise children with the increasing homeless population.

Laura

Driving on frontage at 1-35 and 71 and a woman cracked out came running out of a tent area screaming a man had stolen her drugs and needed my phone while I was coming up to the light. I had to slam on my breaks and my three young kids where in the car. She hit the hood of my suburban twice screaming and I drove around her and spent the rest of the drive home answering questions from my kids who were terrified.

Cheryl Ibanez

I am constantly approached by the homeless while at a stop light. They come right up to my car. I've seen homeless people who were almost hit by cars because they don't follow crosswalk guidelines. They just walk out in front of traffic. My heart breaks for them but this isn't safe or healthy for anyone. Their conditions are extremely unsanitary and dangerous. Who thought this was a good idea? Idiots.

Patrick

I’ve been coming to Austin for 15 years on and off for SXSW. Recently I moved our family to Austin from Colorado. My fiancé, 2 and 6 year old daughters have never been. I reassured them that Austin was a safe, eclectic and cool place from all my experiences in the past. The first week we moved to Austin I took the family for a car ride downtown to show them what I remember Austin being like. We were all afraid and outright shocked that so many homeless had taken over the riverside and downtown area. It brought me to heavy tears in front of my girls because I didn’t feel safe and worst than that I didn’t feel I did the right thing for my family and my girls future. I lived in DT urban environments where this is allowed in the past and I’ve almost been mugged several times, I’ve seen theft and vandalism flourish, and I’ve seen homeless assault citizens/tourists, shoot up drugs, fornicate openly and piss/poop everywhere. Causing a rise in crime, murder and infectious disease for the community. This is not right. How does a city put non taxpayers ahead of hard working tax payers and safety?

Robert

A homeless couple tried to break into my car not realizing I was right there. Thankfully I was armed or it could have ended much worse. One of many awful events I’ve personally witnessed brought on by these sidewalk camping policies. It has unbelievably harmed the downtown area. Prostitutes, drug dealers, random fights, trash fires and the incredible build up of garbage
needles and feces and people yelling at each pedestrians has made even casual walks downtown a minefield. Even driving has become hazardous as drugged out people stagger through traffic begging for money. I warn my friends away from walking alone now and avoiding entire parts of the city. It has made Austin one of the least pedestrian friendly cities I’ve been to. It used to be an amazing city before these policies came into place.

Anonymous

Grew up in Austin but it was a factor in our decision to move away. We had always planned on visiting Austin regularly but now we choose Dallas or Houston because we don’t feel safe being downtown or even enjoy visiting anymore.BerthaI had a very ugly experience I went down a store that is near McDonalds in Riverside and as soon as I got closer to my car a man was already inside my car trying to take all my things that were in my car it was horrible thanks and I hope someone can do something about this situation relieve themselves in front of people

Stephanie

I’ve been an Austin musician for 30 years. Homeless have always been present downtown, but now it 50 fold. It’s time for leadership in our city. If people want to live in camps then why not bus them 20 miles out to city owned land, and allow them, teach them, train them, rehabilitate them to become self sufficient again by working on a homeless farm camp. Get them off our streets, our parks, our neighborhoods until they can be rehabilitated enough to contribute as sober citizens.LindaI live close to Ben White/Manchaca and drive by there frequently and it’s very disturbing to see. I don’t feel
safe going to certain parts of town alone anymore.

Anonymous

What was City Council thinking when they relaxed the homeless laws?? My relatives don’t want to visit us anymore! This place is nasty, disgusting, scary and an eyesore in some of the most important areas of Austin- Downtown! ALL our bridges, sidewalks in south and southwest Austin, and all around our beautiful Lady Bird Lake walking trails! Boy would she be mad if she could see how ugly and Dangerous the trails are now! How dare you ask us to pay City taxes when we can’t enjoy our city, it’s past beauty, and it’s sooo Dangerous!! Give us our city back and send off these free loaders!!!!!

James (Strick) Strivklzn

fI am the now retired Executive Director of one of Austin’s largest human service programs. I have over forty plus years experience with the logistics of programs for those in need. The city’s abandonment of the camping ban was done with little or no prior planning. The catastrophic results were totally foreseeable and the surprise shown by the city council is unforgivable.
There are those of us who feel compassion for both the homeless and the taxpayers. Neither have been served well by the recent city decisions.

Gabriel

We used to live on the east side of Austin but when it started geting dangerous with break-ins and the homeless setting up camps in the middle of Riverside we moved south. It was fine until they set up another camp under the Slaughter bridge by Mancheca. We now regularly catch people on our camera breaking into our backyard and roaming our neighborhood. It seems nowhere is safe now. How disappointing to have such a beautiful city ruined by the actions of Major Adler and City Council. I'm embarrassed to invite anyone to come visit now.

Nicole

At 9 months pregnant I needed to go to my nearest FedEx which is downtown on 4th St. and Congress to send a package. I was terrified to exit my car as there was a homeless man screaming profanities at me while I sat in my car debating how I could make it safely from my car to the front door of the store. Completely shaken and frightened I decide the threat of danger wasn’t worth sending my package. I will now drive out of my way to avoid downtown.My two grand daughters have been planning to go to UT to be close to family and because of the schools reputation but now have decided to go out of state, it’s just too dangerous for anyone to be downtown especially two young college girls. I moved here to be close to family but now am planning to move, why are decent hard working tax paying citizens allowed to be threatened and brutalized by the criminally insane and dangerous criminals, if I were Elon Musk I would have cancelled those plans....who wants to live in a human trash can??!! Have the city council hang out under these bridges for a day.

Jaime

I was sitting in my car at a red light and I had a homeless man demand money and when I ignored him he slammed his hands against the window of my car and began to scream at me and calling me names. That was a scary moment; now I avoid that intersection at all cost.MatthewI now have a stained memory of a homeless man at a stop sign come out of his tent, drop trousers aiming his ass towards the cars and spew shit all over his ass and balls. This has got to stop.This is all horrible but Instead of pointing fingers at the mayor and city council start pointing them inward. And then you DEFUNDED the APD. What the heck did you think was going to happen?

Austin Dad

Today l was going to let my kids walk to the store.. seems harmless right... but instead had a bad feeling so l didn't. So then l took them .Soon as we got out of the car a homeless man who was sitting at the bridge ..ran up to the passenger side where my kids were getting out and started asking them for money..l'm not one to not help but come on don't be scaring my kids.. and asking for there money they earned

Andrew

Last year while swimming in Barton springs two homeless people took my bag from the shore and stole my car. Lost my phone, wallet, everything except my swim suit I was wearing. They found my car a month later completely trashed. Some of homeless aren’t bad people but I can’t trust anyone of them now.

Shawnta A

I see the camping of the homeless getting worse, Trash is at every intersection and I have seen people using the bathroom and having relations under the covers. I live between 51st and 290.

Brandi Cowley

This has been Ridiculous..! I own a salon downtown.. homeless are taking over the whole city! It has AffectedMy home and my business.I also have been told by a lLegitimate city Council that now we are dealing with transports from other cities and that homeless were even giving money and bussed here! Because Austin is SO laid Back and nice and The governor has allowed it to be legal for homeless to camp anywhere!!!! IThere has to be a solution!! There should be an organization outside of town somewhere where people can live and work on the land growing food operation like a compound with no drugs!!!Yunuen uribeIn South congress and Manchaca my mom and I went to Vallarta restaurant and we saw a homeless guy with gun and a knife and high on drugs with a gun and a knife. I started going to the other business and told them to lock their doors asap. As I was going into another business he got out and grabe my behind and I got really mad and told him not to do it. I didn't care he had the gun and the knife I was ready to defend my self. I live in kyle currently but I came to Austin when I was 10 year old and I can tell you it has become very unsafe. Same as at my sister's apartments it use to be so safe now seems like all over austin is like this. I took my kids to downtown once and it was shocking how many tents are under bridge and 6th street. The city is permitting all the crime that is happening.

Dan

In short - I'm not as proud to live in this great city. While I certainly am sympathetic to the bigger, more complex problem the homeless situation is - allowing these camps to form is not the solution. It's an eyesore and a public health crisis. Something needs to be done.I'm just embarrassed to show out of town family Austin can't even take a day trip downtown without seeing half naked drugged out community. Getting harassed for a dollar.

Downtown Employee

As a young woman working downtown, I’ve been followed, harassed, and yelled at. It’s disappointing to see the city that was once known for their kind people and beautiful scenery has now become riddled with garbage and aggressors. Luckily for me, I haven’t even received the worst of it all, as my male friends have. They’ve had items thrown at them, food knocked out of their hands, and been chased throughout downtown. It’s unacceptable to see how our government provokes this. A change needs to be made for the better of our beloved community.The relaxation of free camping, our once beautiful downtown waterfront has changed. Every time I go to downtown, I really feel unsafe and concern about the health issue and I feel the pain for all our tourist in the waterfront area. Although the government has setup manyTrash bins around the homeless campsites, I don't see the trash being properly placed in the trash bins. The problem is particularly disgusted along I-35 and Airport Blvd intersection.

Herbert

This homeless creep that hangs out at the median at the corner of Manchaca and William Cannon continues to come up to my truck act like he's loading a bolt action rifle and points at me and pulls the trigger. He's pretty aggressive and really makes me feel uneasy. Where has our beautiful city gone to it looks like a garbage dump. Ben White Boulevard from 290 all the way to Montopolis Drive is nothing but a city dump

Angie

We recently moved to Austin and were excited to rent downtown. And aside from COVID and things being shut down (which we expected) the outdoors is what we were enjoying! But as a female, I would not go walking, jogging or to the parks without my husband! I didn’t feel safe at all! We tried joining a gym and had to face various situations with the pooping or peeing while your on the treadmill! Banging on your car at the red lights! Following you in the garages and ect! I am happy to say we left our downtown rental early and moved away to safer, cleaner and beautiful scenery! So sad for the wonderful restaurants downtown.

Jennifer

at 183 and Ohlen, on a Sunny Saturday afternoon with my teenage daughter and her friends in the car, watched a man pull down his pants at the bus stop and proceed to poop in his hand. I have watched many people under the bridge at 183 and Payton Gin going to the bathroom, right outside of their tents with no regard. Not a city I am really proud to live in right now. Not sure how any of this is being allowed. I blame our great City Counsel and our Wonderful Mayor, who are always looking out for the people of Austin.

Roxela Ramirez

used to use the U turn lane under Ben White and Manchaca for my drive home. I have been forced to use the light to make a U turn due to the fact I have come very close to hitting someone walking in the street or sitting . The tents have blocked the view of oncoming traffic. I am so ready to leave for good. Thanks Mayor Adler for turning a once unique city into a third world country.

Paige

I was walking downtown with a friend when a homeless woman kept repeatedly lifting her dress exposing her naked body underneath. I constantly get harassed for money and often aggressively yelled at when I don’t comply. Trash and campsites popping up on every corner. It’s definitely putting a damper on my immense love for our city. Somethings got to change.

Katie

I work downtown close to the capital. Over the years, the panhandling has become more and more aggressive. I have to go the post office on a regular basis and I have been harassed for money and called bad names multiple times. I also live in the Westgate area. There are homeless people wandering on our property and relieving themselves in our yard in broad daylight. We also had someone who was pulling the donation items out of the bin across the street and putting them right next to the bushes in our yard. Maintenance would come and remove the items and the person would keep bringing back more things the next day. I have lived in Austin for 35 years and I can't believe how bad it has gotten throughout the whole city. We are moving out of state as soon as we can afford it. It's sad that it has come down to this.

Scott

I travel along Ben White for many purposes and really enjoyed all the new landscaping that TxDOT installed along a good stretch of the highway between IH35 and South Lamar. Now all that landscaped areas is tents and trash and all the investment to beautify the city is gone. At street level under most overpasses, is more tents, trash, and encampments of people. Austin used to be a nice and pretty city, but now it has been reduced to a trashy unrecognizable town. I will be glad when I retire in four years so that I can move out of this area.

New Texan with a warning about California policies

I moved to Austin 10 months ago from the San Francisco Bay Area. The camping/homeless problem in San Francisco and Oakland is out of control - streets are lined with encampments, half-dressed people who need addiction/mental help can be found sleeping in the middle of sidewalks, pedestrians are regularly harassed, and Monday mornings require effort for city employees and business owners to clean up litter, human feces, needles, and trash to start the week. Since moving to Austin, I’ve seen the city become more and more like SF and Oakland, seemingly overnight. The changes are dramatic: encampments under freeways are growing and litter is piling up. The homeless problem anywhere is heartbreaking - these people need support and help. Allowing people to panhandle and camp anywhere (with little oversight of drugs/crime/violence) is the least compassionate thing a city can do. Stop adopting California's failed policies.

Lisa

We moved our office at the end of 2020 to get out of downtown. We were no longer able to walk out at lunch; going to the post office on Congress was a nightmare of obscene harrassment; office was 1 block from Capitol and people shooting up and defecating in the alley behind bldg. It was disgusting and it is ruining Austin. Personally I am hoping to move elsewhere this year.

John

I'm a 3rd generation native Austinite. I have seen this city experience growing pains over the years, but never once until "Camp Anywhere" have I thought that my city looked filthy, disgusting, and felt unsafe.

Driving near these camping areas and seeing trash and litter all over - even now that city garbage cans have been put in place- is disheartening.

K

South Austin is no longer the place to be. I feel sorry for folks who paid a premium to live here and didn’t get light to begin with. The backyard views are crawling with homeless and garbage (literally).

No longer proud of Austin

Austin is my hometown, born and raised here, lived here for the past seventy-two years. Yes, I have seen many changes in Austin during all those years, some good and some not so good. However, nothing has compared to what has happened to Austin since the homeless camping situation. The mayor and city council should be ashamed of themselves for what they have allowed to happen to this once beautiful city and the Capitol of Texas. If they can't figure out a better way to deal with homelessness then they don't have the leadership skills to run this city. I no longer recognize Austin, it is literally a crying shame to see the filth, pan handlers on every street corner, tents, tarps, and trash under the overpasses and along sidewalks. I can only imagine what visitors must think driving in from the airport on Ben White Blvd when they encounter the tent cites along the way. Absolutely Shameful!

D.D Austin resident

I couldn’t take a pic with the Willie statue because a homeless man was charging $10 to do so.I was born and raised in Austin. It makes me extremely sad to drive around downtown and see so much trash and litter everywhere, when Austin use to be beautiful. The problem is obvious with all the broken down tents and tarps covering all our nice views. It’s very disappointing. I no longer fee safe, even when driving. Homeless at corners will jump on your car and insist on cleaning your windshield or yell at you for change.
I use to love to walk/run down the boardwalk. Not anymore.
I don’t want the old Austin. I love the growth but let’s at least attempt to keep it nice for our children.

Regina

My wife and I always felt safe in our beautiful city of Austin until the homeless population has taken over our sense of safety. One sunday afternoon, as neighbors were working outside, we had 2 ladders stolen out of our front yard and an increase in theft and assault near and around our neighborhood off of Manchaca and Slaughter. We are right down the road from the large homeless camp under Slaughter Lane bridge at Genoa and have witnessed fires, fights, homeless stumbling around in our neighborhood and many other encounters. We don’t feel safe in our own neighborhood! We never thought we would want to move out of Austin until now!

Julie

On Barton Springs Road: When I walked out of a convenient store, I found a homeless man peeing in my car. He pressed his body against the car so no one would see what he was doing. I told him to “get away” and he turned the stream to my and tried to wet me with it. He laughed and said “what are you going to do?” He zipped his pants and casually walked on the sidewalk towards Zilker Park. He said he would be by Barton Springs if I wanted to join. He grabbed his crotch and flipped me off.
Several people watched what happened and everyone shook their heads. Just so disappointed in this city.

Native

I was born in Austin, been here all my life. I’ve seen first hand the deterioration of Austin. I used to have a business in downtown Austin and would advocate for the homeless. This all changed when homeless people demanded money from our business and would make our customers uncomfortable. Homeless people would defecate, shoot up and used our space for other activities behind our business. Started stealing from us. It just became too much. I had to pull my business out of there. Downtown is no longer safe for anyone. As a woman, I had to carry a knife in hand ready for the worse.I live along a major highway where there are multiple campgrounds of the homeless that appeared late 2019. The area used to be safe and you could shop, exercise, or just walk through the area but not anymore. There are have been two instances where someone tried to jump into the street so I could hit them, they scream at anything passing by, and there is trash and dog feces everywhere. Just overall a lack of respect for the people and businesses that have been there way before them. There is no critical shortage of resources for the homeless here in Austin, this is a huge rehab city. However, to stay in shelter or get into rehab, you first have to get clean and that's exactly what they dont want to do. I'm convinced anyone who is ol with this public camping issue are definitely NOT the people who are unfortunate enough to live or work near homeless camps.

Crystal

We used to live off Parker Lane and homeless would always be walking past our house to get on and off the bus, one time a older lady came walking past pushing a shopping cart, knocked on my door and asked me if my husband was home (he wasn’t but I didn’t feel safe telling her since I didn’t know her or why she was asking, eventually she ended up sitting in our front yard for 5 hours in the dark because I wouldn’t let her in my house after she tried getting past me and into the door only to realize my dogs inside the house didn’t like her and almost bit her. If I didn’t have dogs she could of easily gotten past me or hurt me to get in, she ended up waiting outside my house for my husband to get home so he could drive her to tent city which was 2 blocks away she could of easily walked back to her “home” but instead she left her shopping cart with trash in it at the side of our road, clothes all over our yard and waited for my husband 5 hours for my husband to get home so he could drive her. So glad we moved away from tent city, moving to Texas was the worst idea, we should of stayed in Wisconsin instead of moving to drug/rape city. (we don’t know and never met this lady before so she literally came up to a random house which was ours and harassed me for 5 hours, too bad I couldn’t let my dogs outside, they would of bit her and then my dogs would of been shot or put to sleep for biting someone on their property 🙄) this place isn’t safe for anyone......ever.

Jeffrey

There are to many instances to list, but I have worked in helping the homeless and homeless housing projects and it’s just horrible that a lot of these homeless refuse services because they would rather be on the street. I’ve had people yell at me because I gave them food instead of cash and the down town are I avoid because you are constantly getting stopped by homeless and people begging for money. My sister was down there a few weeks ago and had some homeless guy following her and wouldn’t leave her alone. And it’s so said all the trash and debris that is just thrown down where they are camping and cannot even pick up after themselves. This has got to stop, it is disgusting!

Michael

We live downtown and my roommate was walking his dogs. A homeless women came up to him asking for money, he said no, she she yelled and and screamed, punched him in the stomach. Cops were called and she continued to rant and rave then spit on the officers face. This has to stop! I lived here for over 10 years and it’s not safe to walk downtown. Some of these people need help mentally. Having homeless camps in our neighborhoods is not the solution. What will it be like in 5 years??

Vanessa

I live downtown and used to enjoy walking on the trail 3 times a week. I’ve been followed and harassed by some of the men that are on the “campgrounds” of the trail refuse to go on the trail anymore and fear when I’m walking anywhere downtown.

Jesse

let's all go dump our weekly trash around the W and see if the mayor is okay with his beautiful home being vandalized.North Austin NativeMy late grandparent's home was burned down by a homeless squatter that we had previously asked to leave so that the property could be sold.

Steve

My wife works in a predominantly female environment on 5th and Lavaca, most of the girls that work there are in their early 20s. They had to collectively call the police one day as a homeless man was stood in the only doorway masturbating while watching them work. When the police were called they asked if he was on the premises which technically he was not, so they said they couldn’t do anything! When will Adler and his cronies wake up to the idea that this kind of progressive policy is not right for our once beautiful city? I used to love going downtown and enjoying everything that the city has to offer, now I never go downtown

Jake

After the implementation of relaxed camping, the homeless population where I lived (West Campus) became even more aggressive. A homeless man followed me for several blocks, threatening my and my dog’s life the entire time. When I tried to go back home, he followed me all the way to my apartment door on the third floor. It was the only time in my life I’ve had to escalate to brandishing a firearm against another person.

Ashley

I was driving with my windows down, as it was a nice day. A homeless man came to windows (child in my backseat) came up and started yelling aggressively and making super inappropriate comments. When I rolled up windows he stood at my window yelling until the light turned green!

Ella

I live downtown and can no longer walk around at night or stay late at the office because it isn't safe after dark. I'm constantly being harassed or yelled at or followed. The sidewalks are encroached by homeless camps and smell like urine. I hate it so much I'm moving.

Native Austinite

Mayor Adler and the Austin City Council should be required to personally clean up all homeless camp sites.

Liz

Born in raised in Austin it is quite sad to see the amount of trash and filth that comes with homeless camping. Being a female I have always felt safe to park and walk to restaurants and establishments (even downtown) by myself as long as I was aware of my surroundings. That is no longer the case. I would not allow my mom or step daughter to ever be alone downtown and neither would I. My husband and I have a BBQ food truck on south Lamar that has already had 3 break ins this year. We are all for helping people but this has got to change. It’s only going to get worse. So sad to see our city this way.

Mary Lou

It's absolutely horrible, my prime real-estate neighborhood is taxed to the heavens but yet there at the end of my street is a homeless camp, littered, trashed, bonfires burning under IH35 , clothes hanging on guard rails. We've all had our vehicles vandalized, I had items stolen from my property was told by APD too bad so sad nothing they can do about it since most have mental health issues and they will get released. I've had 3 homeless men at different times approach my grandchildren while playing in the fenced-in play scape..which they can no longer play unless they're supervised. Fn Adler and Abbot must go ! Completely worthless and bad for Texas and especially Austin our capitol....WTH

Johny wad

Homeless guy downtown blew his wad on my windshield and used his underwear to try to clean it then ask me for 20$

Javi

We are a group of food trucks owners in Barton Springs, we find homeless every morning searching for food on trash. All the trucks have been forced during the night, they're trying to break in and steal, money and equipment on some trucks have been stolen.

Alex

I use to live on 6th by I-35. I had to fight one off in my parking garage along with usual encounters of having to chase them out cause they trying to break in cars. I moved back to South Lamar due to getting fed up with being harassed for money every time I step outside. Needless to say it’s not much different. There’s filth at every intersection in central Austin. I used to love going downtown with my family but I no longer feel it’s safeI worked in one of the restaurants south of the city in benwhite and homeless people very often did their needs outside the restaurant, even put themselves into the bathrooms bathing, leaving needles and very dirty, once one of them made in the store their crap, my boss had to go out to clean ...Can we vote by mail?Menchana and Ben White has got to a level of comfortability that seems unnatural. Desks and chairs, grills and clothes everywhere and we given then bathrooms and sinks to clean up. The streets are filled with trash. The lawless behavior displayed is beyond normal. The neighborhood is no longer safe and walking is impossible alone.

anonymous

I grew up in a once-beautiful Austin, and my husband and I invested time and money in restoring old houses there. We have moved away and avoid the town when we can. So glad we're gone!I have a local family restaurant south of Austin, and we sometimes offer them food, but we have dyed experiences of insecurity and verbal aggression, they spit our business, they sleep and urinate at the entrance, sometimes they block us, because they are asleep and drunk that we can't get in

Austinite

While driving home from work down Congress one evening in downtown my car was kicked by a homeless person. I was sitting at a red light and he just came over and kicked my passenger side door. I used to love Austin now I hate lt here,but my job is an Austin base company so no hopes of a transfer out of this awful city. Something has to change!!

Tori

I work overnights and have to drive through downtown to get home at 3 am. I had to stop for gas and my card wouldn’t work. I walked into the gas station and a homeless man started walking towards me when I came out. He started chasing me to my car screaming he was going to rape and kill me. Luckily I got to my car first and locked the doors. Had to back out super quick and didn’t even get my gas. I was terrified. Even if I had been a man I’d be scared. My home city is turning to trash before my eyes and I don’t even feel safe here. Fix this now.Austin has become disgusting. I wanted to show family members from a different state my once beautiful Austin. Totally embarrassed . Most of the bums don’t want help, but hand outs!

Joel

My girlfriend was out getting food at a food stand near Ben white. Out of nowhere a homeless person straight up came up and slugged her in the face. She wasn’t knocked unconscious but, her jaw is forever damaged because of the sucker punch.

George

I work downtown and drive in via Cesar Chavez. A couple weeks ago a man was walking down the middle of the traffic lanes holding a stick. He then swerved over to the right hand traffic lane and continued down the road banging on the signs while 2 lanes of traffic were bearing down on him from behind. The following week, a different person was walking down the turn lane, I looked at him and he began screaming obscenities at me. These individuals were were not in a sober/normal mindset. This will continue along with all the trash and grocery carts strewn about until someone stops allowing a campsite on the shores of Lady Bird Lake.

Woody

I live South of Austin. Business and doctor appointments were done in Austin in the past. No longer is my business done in Austin. Seeing the never-ending homeless camps on the streets are scary and appalling. Beggars on the corners and medians holding up traffic is dangerous and very dis-concerning. Always was hoping my old truck would not break down in one of these infected areas. I must wonder how much business Austin has lost due to the unsightly mess in town. More than I can count the beggars have approached me relentlessly asking for handouts while I walked to or from my truck. Austin's leaders are safe behind their fences in big mansions. They don't deal with the everyday problems of their taxpayers. I guess it is the taxpayers that need to begin the process of cleaning up Austin.

Melissa

Driving through Austin makes me sad and angry now. I feel I am a pretty open-minded and compassionate person and am grateful that I have never experienced homelessness. The sad part is the camps that have trashed our city and there is no plan to rectify it. I am a homeowner and taxpayer. I live in a neighborhood without a homeowners association, but if I trashed my house, yard, property like the homeless trash their camps, I would be called into code enforcement. Why is there a separate standard for the homeless? Is it safe for them to camp on an overpass in our city? On numerous occasions, I have had to slam on my brakes to avoid hitting a homeless person who has wandered into the street because they are too drunk or high to realize the danger. Crime has risen in our neighborhood. I feel frightened when I am out walking in my neighborhood and a homeless person is walking through to Walnut Creek. I have been screamed at numerous times. I feel bad for our first responders and want to see statistics on how much of their time is spend on the homeless.
Enough is enough.I lived in Austin for 20 years. Since this all started, I moved to Pflugerville, and avoid Austin at all costs. It’s disgusting. The tents have even started to creep up to Pflugerville. Just one exit from my home. I have a young daughter now, and can’t imagine letting her run to her friends house just down the block. I don’t know what o would do if anything happened to her, or if I saw what these other people have seen outside my door. Enough is enoughArturoSomeone stole my computer and tools from my truck and next day I found a couple guys trying to open cars on my neighborhood by Lamar and manchaca

Brad Wilcox

I live in a neighborhood west.of 35 and north of Braker and we have struggled with the transient situation for a very long time. They camped.in the woods and begged on our corners. When the city decided to do away with order, they movec INTO our neighborhood quite literally onto our right of ways since we dont have sidewalks. Its a technicality that.police wont see so they wont help. These folks shoot heroin in the open and are blatant with the prostitution.

.Tina

My husband and I live on the east side, not far from the Riverside Drive encampment. We have about a one acre wooded lot that’s surrounded by many trees and a creek. One morning we woke up to a homeless camp on our property. We immediately moved the garbage and put up a fence because I immediately felt unsafe at our own home. I was worried I would find someone sleeping on our deck. So even though we pay thousands of dollars in property taxes, I had to spend thousands of dollars to ensure we were protected. Even today, we often notice individuals roaming outside the fence although we have several NO TRESPASSING signs posted. I do not ever shop at the HEB at Riverside Drive and Pleasant Valley. The homeless camps are out of control and the pandering is scary as the individuals are increasingly unpredictable.

Julie

So my husband walks to and from his office every morning and is harassed daily by the homeless. He also has to make it a point to watch the side walks to avoid human feces. Then I myself refuse to walk the trail around the lake by myself any longer as my step daughter was flashed and rushed by a scary psychotic acting homeless man. Police came and arrested him in front of her because someone had already called the police due to the same actions happening to them.
It is a disgrace and embarrassing to call this home at this point.

Amanda Sheppard

I used to work down town. I pulled I to a drive through restaurant near my office, and a homeless man came up to my car screaming louder and louder as he came upon me face to my driver's side window. He obviously had so.e mental health issues. I exited without my breakfast because I was afraid he would harm me. This was near 6th and I35.It makes me embarrassed to show my friends around town.Lucky I leftI watched the homeless camp on red river and 7th grow out of control in the 7 years that I lived in Austin. I am so glad that I got out of there in 2017. What was a very beautiful and unique city has turned into nothing more than a human litter box, that no one cleans.

Kristen

I was meeting friends on East 7th street for brunch with my 1-year-old son. Parking is extremely limited and after driving around I finally saw an open metered spot on the street. Only there was one catch, a homeless man had decided that he was doing people a favor by standing in the spot and allowing you to park there. Not having much of a choice, I chose to park. He immediately approached me to let me know he saved the spot for me and did I have money. I let him know I did not have cash but thanked him for "saving" the spot. I then proceeded to try to join my friends at brunch. If you can imagine how vulnerable you are as a mother with a stranger standing there giving you a death stare as you try to juggle your purse, a one year and a stroller to leave the vehicle. As I walked off, he started cussing at me and called me a B-word. Needless to say, I could not even enjoy brunch because I was worried I would come back to my car with some damage to it. No one should have to be accosted just to park in a public parking spot and worry about the safety of themselves, their child, and their vehicle just to grab breakfast.

Alonzo

I've had on multiple occasions had homeless come to my house at 3 AM knocking asking for money I live on 12th in the Eastside. then they infiltrated the rosewood park and I could see them wandering the neighborhood. scouting homes looking through windows on more than one occasion iv confronted them as to why they're looking into my neighbor's house and they outright lie to me like if my neighbor had moved and they were looking at renting the house. My husband and I and our children were born and raised in Austin and it is nothing like it used to be. Being our police are not allowed to keep us safe and it is embarrassing to drive down our streets we sold our home and moved to Buda about a month ago where the police are allowed to keep us safe and there are not people camped out everywhere. I am sad as to what my hometown has become.

Carli

We have a small neighborhood park that has been renovated by the city, it contains a new playscape for our neighborhood children. Before the orange barriers and cation tape came down the homeless has littered it with needles, trash and filth. I can see the camp from my back yard. I will not use the park for fear of my safety. I have called the city, 311, the park rangers and nothing is being done. I feel that as a law biding citizen and tax payer, the homeless have more rights that I do.

Hilary

We used to enjoy living in Austin for all it has to offer families, we have now moved to Williamson county, where there is less tolerance for encampments and aggressive panhandling. We no longer go downtown at all and warn people who are planning to visit. It is NOT safe and doesn't portray the Austin of old. There is a HUGE difference between support homelessness and encouraging it. How is it I still have to pay property tax, but anyone can pitch a tent on the lake and live rent/tax free.

This is indicative of poor leadership and zero law and order concern for citizens and taxpayers.

Dana

I live downtown and have had numerous encounters with aggressive homeless panhandlers. Several encounters with the same guy, well known in our area. I have called 911 on this guy three times. Once when he threatened to kick my ass when I told him I did not want to answer his questions (he generally starts out with “can I ask you a question”). Police response in this occasion was 50 minutes and they did nothing even though I took his picture. The next time, I reported he was wandering around cars in the MACC parking lot about 9 PM. Police never responded. Third time he was harassing people in line to vote last spring. Bicycle police responded is 15 minutes, but he was already gone. Again police said they could do nothing.