In Northbrook, a homeless man has taken refuge on a low flagstone wall at the corner of Shermer and Walters for several nights, drawing attention from local residents.
While one resident initially reacted with fear during a night walk, considering the potential dangers involved with interacting with an unhoused individual, another reaction surfaced moments later—an urge to offer him shelter.
This juxtaposition of fear and kindness reflects a broader dichotomy in American society regarding homelessness.
Fear often dominates the narrative, manifesting in the discomfort many feel when encountering homeless individuals.
Despite misleading perceptions, studies indicate that unhoused individuals are more frequently victims of violent crime than perpetrators.
Motorists traversing busy routes such as Lake Shore Drive may not view encampments in places like Lincoln Park as a sign of a city’s compassion.
Instead, they may see them as evidence of urban decay contrary to the vision of a flourishing city.
On the other side of the coin lies the recognition of the harsh realities contributing to homelessness—issues like addiction, mental health struggles, and economic hardships.
These challenges are often insurmountable for individuals, leaving them vulnerable and without stable shelter.
While it’s rare for people to wake up with the intent to hinder the lives of those experiencing homelessness, recent political developments have fueled a culture of fear-mongering.
President Donald Trump’s administration has engaged in a systematic demonization of vulnerable communities, targeting immigrants, transgender individuals, and now the homeless.
Recent executive orders illustrate a troubling trend, as they reframe homelessness as a criminal issue rather than a societal crisis demanding compassionate solutions.
According to the ACLU, these orders “criminalize unhoused people and institutionalize people with mental health disabilities and substance use disorder.”
The National Coalition for the Homeless critiques these orders for misrepresenting homelessness and threatening funding for social services.
This approach harkens back to historical practices that wrongfully labeled individuals as mentally ill for mere survival tactics.
Many fear that such policies could escalate, leading to further stigmatization of individuals who oppose these measures.
Critics argue that the administration is not genuinely interested in solving the homelessness crisis.
To effectively address homelessness, systemic issues must be tackled, including the creation of more affordable housing options.
The concern extends beyond urban centers; suburbs like Northbrook are witnessing an increase in homeless individuals around public spaces.
One local firefighter expressed the growing challenges faced as he routinely clears out those seeking refuge at the Northbrook Metra station.
Executive director of the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness, Doug Schenkelberg, believes that no community is immune to this issue.
He noted the troubling trend where some areas choose to criminalize homelessness instead of addressing the root causes.
Meanwhile, other municipalities attempt to use their available resources to mitigate the situation and offer support.
The original author of this narrative reflects on personal feelings of empathy versus action.
While the thought of offering a place for the homeless man crossed his mind, he ultimately acknowledges his inaction.
Nevertheless, he does not support criminalizing or removing homeless individuals from public view.
What he desires is a society where unhoused individuals are treated humanely and with dignity.
However, that aspiration seems increasingly distant in the current political climate.
image source from：chicago
