“Harassment Outside Union Station”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Ian Livingston

“Has anyone else felt increasingly unsafe while walking outside Union Station in the past couple months? I have noticed more people who appear to be suffering from mental issues, drug addiction, and homelessness loitering outside. In the past couple months, I’ve seen people urinating, someone openly smoking crack, and someone under the influence of some hallucinogen pretending to punch people in the head. Today, a homeless man threatened to “smack the glasses off my face” when I wouldn’t give him money. This is occurring during daylight hours, generally immediately after work. I’ve had the same walk for three years, and I don’t remember ever feeling so unsafe outside Union Station until a couple months ago. I’m just wondering a) if other people have noticed this increase b) what can be done about it. ”