“Dear PoPville,
I had a couple of disturbing encounters with who I think is a homeless guy in the U street area. First time was a couple of months ago, I was walking my dog on U street and Vermont. He stopped as if he wanted to pet my dog, and when my dog approached him, he started cursing and tried to kick her head as if it were a football. Luckily, my dog reacted fast and avoided the kick. Last Friday, I was walking on V and 13, same guy was walking, this time carrying an 8-pack of paper towels. When I walked by him, he started cursing and again tried to kick my dog’s head.
She did move fast, but this time he hit her in the nose. I was wondering if someone else in the area has experienced the same situation and any advice on how to react. He seems a bit out of it, and I don’t want to escalate. I wonder if hitting him back would be an act of self defense…”
Ed. Note: I think avoiding contact would probably be best. If you do see him again you can try these numbers that we’ve mentioned in the past:
“Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES): 202-673-9319 (24hrs, 7 days per week)
Mobile Crisis Services (MCS): 202-673-9300 (9am -1am, 7 days per week)
Homeless Outreach Program (HOP): 202-673-9124 (9am -8pm , M-F)
Also you can call 311, 911 or 1(888)7WE-HELP (1-888-793-4357).”
And as another reader noted in the past: “MPD’s mental health team is called “Crisis Intervention Team” or C.I.T. As the OP said, if the person you’re dealing with is in any way violent or a threat to themselves or others it’s really best to call 911 first.”