Reaching out to San Diego’s homeless after fatal attacks

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) — As we’ve emphasized long before the current attacks, the homeless are among the city’s most vulnerable population.

The police department’s patrol officers and its special homeless and quality of life teams are reaching out to the homeless like never before. 

But because they can’t be everywhere at once, not only are officers education the transient population about the attacks, they, along with homeless advocates, are doing their best to spread the word on self-protection – if individuals are reticent – to at least get into a shelter until the suspect is caught.

Sleep in groups, stay in lit areas, take turns watching over each other at night.

Virginia, whose been on San Diego’s streets since 2014, said life here is always dangerous, but said she and the others who share particular areas have tightened up their little community.

Virginia and her boyfriend take comfort in their dog Bambi, who, they say, it a good protector.

jade, another woman living on the streets, said most of her friends are now carrying weapons.

Virginia reminded us that there is a bigger issue here.

"A lot of people think we’re bums who don’t want to work, but the truth is, a lot of people are just one paycheck away from this. Once you get out here, it’s hard to get yourself going again."