Zack’s cardboard sign reads: “I want your money.” From underneath a dark hoodie, he stares at shoppers and businesspeople strolling near Pioneer Square. Most ignore him; a few people take the long way around. It’s warm outside, but he wears a black sweatshirt and heavy boots. His eyebrow and lip are pierced. He scowls, looking like an unhappy walleye that’s been dragged onto dry land.
“Yeah, I think I scare people,” Zack (not his real name) says. He seems faintly proud of his ability to intimidate. When asked about perceptions of homeless youths in Portland, he shrugs his shoulders, as if to say, “Who cares?”
Later he admits, “I’m from Beaverton. I’m not homeless– just bored.”
THE FERAL GENERATION
Like most summers, with the rain clouds clear, the population of homeless youths downtown seems to blossom. And, attendant with the burgeoning population, is an increase in the volume of chatter from concerned citizens. Editorials in the Oregonian and business owners renew their complaints that the street youths pose a threat to shoppers and scare away business. It’s a ritual as routine as the Rose Festival.
This year, popular Oregonian columnist S. Renee Mitchell led the pack with a pair of scathing editorials about street youths. In recent columns, such as one titled, “We Should Cater To Tourists Not Panhandlers,” she wrote about how “hobo teens” and “dysfunctional youth” discourage tourism, business, and shopping downtown. Mitchell’s columns joined other articles and TV news spots that almost invariably characterize street youth as a dark, menacing, and frighteningly mysterious population. The stereotype has become so prevalent in both the media and peoples’ minds that it is taken by many as an established fact.
But what’s disturbing is that the articles and news reports have little, if any, evidence to back them up. They are based on personal observations and fears, and on glib assumptions.
On a recent sunny weekday afternoon, Pioneer Square was packed with shoppers and street youths alike. A few clutches of teens–both truly homeless kids and teens pretending to be–were hanging out, panhandling. But, at that very same time, more homeless teens were actually indoors at one of the several agencies in town that work with street kids.
“Right now,” said Ken Cowdery, Executive Director for New Avenues for Youth, “we have 45 [youth] preparing for their GEDs.” A few blocks away from Pioneer Square, p:ear, a non-profit that teaches teens art skills, was packed with young people crowded elbow to elbow around art tables. Dozens of other homeless teens were picking up lunches or health services at the other social services agencies downtown.
“To have this broad brush portrayal,” Cowdery says, “is not fair and very misleading.” Cowdery explains there’s a wide gulf between the perception of the threat that street youths present and the reality.
“People begin to think it’s a police issue and a public safety problem,” explains Cowdery. “To focus on violence… that’s not fair, that’s not right.”
An hour before speaking with the Mercury, Cowdery had attended a meeting with other executive directors from downtown social service agencies to talk about the Mitchell columns and the public opinion about homeless youth.
“There’s a perception that there is aggressive panhandling,” Cowdery says. But referring to the consensus expressed at the meeting, Cowdery adds, “We all agree it’s not happening that way.”
Cowdery asserts that most of the aggressive panhandlers are not truly homeless youth, but bored teens from Beaverton and Hillsboro.
“The vast majority [of homeless youth] are attending school, programs and shelters,” says Cowdery. “We know 95 percent of the homeless youth in town,” he estimates. “We know our kids by name and face.”
He goes on to explain, “You read this stuff and think that no one is doing anything and there are no services.” Portland actually has one of the strongest networks of social services for youth in North America.
“Homeless kids [in Portland] don’t need to panhandle,” asserts Cowdery. “They have the services that they need.”
THE MEDIA VS REALITY
Although Oregonian editorials bemoan the rising threat of street youth, in fact the reality is a much different story. Portland police were not able to provide specific data about whether street youth commit more or less crimes than other residents–but several national studies and surveys present a picture than differs from the popular image of violent street kids.
A recent Gallup Poll found that a majority of adults are under the impression that teens commit nearly half of all violent crimes in this country. Although that poll does not relate directly to street youth, it does provide a context for thinking about American misconceptions. In reality, according to FBI statistics, teens are only responsible for 13 percent of violent crimes–only one-third of what most frightened adults tend to believe.
The source of this prejudice? The media. According to a LA Times poll, 65 percent said they learned about crime through reading newspapers or watching TV news. This information is consistent with other polls and studies.
Interestingly, those media accounts–especially when relating to street youth–are either grossly exaggerated or patently misleading. Two social service agencies in San Francisco jointly monitored local news accounts about homeless youth. In total, there were 72 articles. Of those articles, almost three-quarters depicted street kids as criminals. Moreover, 50 articles–or, about two-thirds–did not bother to consider the root causes of youth crime, and 15 articles demanded increased policing and tougher criminal punishments for street youth. Not one single article researched if tougher penalties actually reduced crime.
In S. Renee Mitchell’s Oregonian column, she based her assertions that street youth make tourists feel “unsafe” on observations from a friend visiting from out of town. She called these teens “foul-mouthed, menacing and brash.” But there were no interviews with street youths and no references to crime stats. In spite of this lack of empirical data, Mitchell confidently asserted that street youth are a dangerous presence.
Instead, the truth is that, sadly, more often than not, these youths are the victims–not the perpetrators–of crimes. Most studies find consistent information about the family life and background for homeless teens: Roughly one-third of street youths have been sexually abused; more than one-half have been physically abused; and nearly two-thirds have simply been neglected.
This is not to say that Portland’s homeless youths are angels one and all. Some do commit crimes. But the question remains whether those crimes actually equal the perceived threat.
In clinically bland language, this question was most succinctly answered at a national symposium on homeless youth in 1998. The report from that meeting concludes: “Many homeless adolescents report illegal behavior. However, some of this behavior may be part of their strategies for survival.” The report goes on to explain that, according to homeless youth service providers across the country, the majority of crimes committed by street youth are tied to survival. The three most prevalent crimes, says the report, are breaking into a building for shelter, stealing, and selling drugs for money. But interestingly, the rate of larceny is nearly equivalent to the incidents of shoplifting for non-homeless teens.
A recent study in Los Angeles puts a finer point on this information. Interviewing hundreds of street youth, homeless advocates found that 46% of boys and 32% of girls take part in “survival sex.” Of that group, 82% prostituted themselves for money, 48% for food or a place to stay, and a small group for drugs. A Hollywood study also found that half of the street youths sampled sold drugs. But interestingly, only one-fifth of that group–or, one in ten of all street youths–sold drugs to support their own habit. The rest sold drugs as a means to earn money for food or shelter.
WHO’S REALLY IN DANGER?
What is most dangerous about these misconceptions is that they form public opinion and, subsequently, guide public policy. Over the past few years, largely pushed by the Portland Business Alliance, city hall has fashioned a set of laws that allow police and business owners to combat “the menace of street youth.” Two years ago, for example, with revisions to Title 14, mayor Vera Katz made it easier for officers to ticket anyone who is sitting, lying, or loitering on the streets downtown. According to street youths, officers routinely threaten them with tickets if they don’t move along.
This spring, city council approved an ordinance that allows downtown business owners to sidestep zoning laws and place gates over their alcoves. The business owners had complained that homeless people were sleeping in their doorsteps and scaring away customers.
And, last year, when the so-called Exclusion Zones were ruled unconstitutional, city council immediately passed a slight revision to the rule. This allowed the law to tiptoe around those civil rights concerns, so they could once again be enforced. Under the exclusionary rules, a police officer may kick a person out of downtown on the mere suspicion of criminal activity. The officer does not need any concrete proof–just a perception that the teen is up to no good. According to anecdotal evidence from civil right attorneys, those laws have been directed unequally, and towards street youth in particular.
In Mitchell’s column, she asserts that we should not feel sympathy, but fear. She calls the homeless youth “intimidating” and chastises Mayor Katz for not being sterner in dealing with these teens.
But perhaps it’s not the businesspeople and shoppers who should be frightened by the street youth. After all, it’s they who are being subjected to these stereotypes and unfounded prejudices–it’s still the adults who hold the power. And it’s adults who are leveling the laws and public opinions that are so unfairly tilted against them.
Most of the “Hobo teens” are not “teens” they are in thier mid 20’s and 30’s.Many like to be called kids but they are adults and they prey on human gulibility to spange for alcohol or money for thier next fix. Get real and be honest if your paper is supposed to be a revealer of truth as opposed to mainstream media then do it right. Quit depending on people like Matt Davis whi is all about sensationalism vs.reality.
My 19-year old son took a bus last night from Denver to Portland. In Denver, he lives in a nice home, has his own car and has had college tuition paid for by a loving family. He has gone to Portland to get on the streets due to what I think is a misplaced romance with the idea of youth homelessess. He told me he was going to apply for foodstamps and obtain services when he gets there! I told him it would be morally wrong to take a bed or services that rightfully belonged to a truly exploited or homeless youth when he has a cell phone and insurance card in his pocket. He left anyway and is probably in Portland by now. He is with a buddy from Billings, MT who has a similar story. I’m certain they are not the only “posers” out there who are trying on the homeless look to see how it feels and taking needed services from kids truly in need.
Nice job raising your kid! He has a cellphone and insurance that I’m sure you pay for. He has obviously been raised with no sense of personal responsibility and will turn out to be a burden on society; just like the other losers laying around on the Portland city sidewalks. Again, nice job.
Who is to judge when we dont know people’s living situations and their path’s and barries that they are going through in life. Would you consider me as a street kid for being homeless, going to college wile maintaing a job as hard as it was i did it. i am sick and tired of society underesting The homelss community. Schouldn’t the city be at fault for lack of rescoures.One out of 3 family’s are a pay check away from being homless
We are walking across America for LGBTQ homeless youth – documenting them along the way. Reading the most of the comments above anger and sicken me. Spend 3 weeks on the street and SEE FOR YOURSELF what is real and what is sensationalized. Stop judging others from a privileged point of view INDOORS. It’s rough out here. And we are seeing for ourselves – THESE YOUTH ARE DIEING EVERYDAY. And for the young woman with the 19 year old son – it doesn’t matter why a youth leaves home. The streets are NOT fun. It may be that your son told you what he did, because he couldn’t bear telling you the truth. Which is obviously that the streets felt better to him than living with you or near you. Thats a tragedy. Anyone that says living on the streets is a fun ride is confused, sick, or most likely privileged. I NEVER hear that from the youth on the streets. NEVER.
Who’s dieing everyday you twit?? The vast majority of these “kids” are doing this out of choice to prove to each other and their parents how truly non-conformist and smelly they can be. As a police officer I deal with these dinks all the time and yes a great chuck come armed with cell phones, credit cards, and cash. They lay around and beg because it provides them with some sense of superiority over us “brainwashed corporate pawns” as they love to chant while playing a guitar their grandma bought them from Music Zone for their communion. Trust me, the people that want and need our help get it enthusiastically, these people don’t want or need any of it.
I have worked with homeless teens for well over 40 years, from the streets of Vancouver to Toronto to Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco Portland and Seattle, and I can honeslty say I have RARELY come across any “bad” kids! They are dying for REAL love, the kind that looks beyond their faiult and sees their need. The kind that says, “it’s OK, I want to share your pain”. They look for GENUINE people who look beyond that fault and reach out to love them for WHO THEY ARE. I know, I was a runaway at 13. And like has been said, the streets are tough, hard, lonely, isolated and dangerous. Just look for the unloved……and love them. They are worth it! I know, I got 42 Father;s Day cards last Father’s Day!
I have worked with homeless teens for well over 40 years, from the streets of Vancouver to Toronto to Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco Portland and Seattle, and I can honeslty say I have RARELY come across any “bad” kids! They are dying for REAL love, the kind that looks beyond their faiult and sees their need. The kind that says, “it’s OK, I want to share your pain”. They look for GENUINE people who look beyond that fault and reach out to love them for WHO THEY ARE. I know, I was a runaway at 13. And like has been said, the streets are tough, hard, lonely, isolated and dangerous. Just look for the unloved……and love them. They are worth it! I know, I got 42 Father;s Day cards last Father’s Day! How can you call them a “dink”?
This article was published in June 2004-only four months after I pulled myself up off the streets by my own sheer force of will. I am in my early 20s now, a happily married homeschooling mother of three, but for nearly two years between the ages of 16 and 18 I was homeless on the streets of Portland so I can address your comments pretty specifically.
The majority of street kids are kids between the ages of 12 and 19. Adults are generally not welcome among street kids unless they were at one point homeless teens themselves. Homeless adults and homeless teens are entirely separate groups-and if you can’t tell the difference between a 15 year old and a 30 year old the problem is not with them it’s with you.
Yes, some ‘street kids’ are actually over indulged brats who think that being homeless is a way to fight the power. Those people last four, maybe six months TOPS before they go back to their parents where they belong. Most ACTUALLY homeless teens that I knew were homeless for one of three reasons–they ran away from an abusive home, their parents were criminally neglectful because of their own addictions and mental diseases and homelessness was a step up for them, or because their parents had actually kicked their own child out into the street. By and large these kids don’t have addictions, and when they do they have usually DEVELOPED these addictions while on the street. I myself started smoking cigarettes because they stave off hunger….and a smoke is a lot easier to bum than a sandwich.
Homeless teens are not ‘dying all the time’ as you might think. They actually network very well into their own communities and take care of each other-and I’m not talking about gangs. I’ve been welcomed with open arms into the home of a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend who was once homeless herself for a good meal and a nap on her couch. I’ve shared a Snickers bar six ways. I’ve traded bus transfers to get back and forth to work. I’ve taken shifts sleeping and watching for bothersome cops. When you share a hard situation with another person you develop a relationship with them and you watch out for each other.
Lastly, despite many good kind-hearted people like helpudream here, many many homeless teens go without services because the services that are offered are just plain unrealistic. Where and how does a homeless teen OPEN a can of soup they get from the food bank…let alone eat it? How does a homeless teen have time to attend “group meetings” if they’re working the three jobs necessary to try to put enough money together to get off the streets? How do you even GET social services if you have no ID, and don’t know your social security number?
Here’s a thought-instead of harassing homeless teenagers because their circumstances make you uncomfortable, why not go to the corner coffee shop and buy them a pastry? Then you might actually be helping somebody.
This article was not written for jerks to judge other peoples parenting. Obviously you dont even have anything intelligent to say about the matter in hand sickofit… I beg to differ on your opinion of street youth being “just another burden” or “losers that lay around on the sidewalk”. I am a intelligent, honest, hardworking woman who grew up as a streetkid. How would you like to be a 13 year old little girl on the streets all by herself? I grew up and still made something out of my life. If you want to blame someone why not put it where it should be? How about on all the abusive parents that played the biggest role of kids running to the streets just to be safe or taken care of…
The comments above anger and sicken me as well. I’m with Chlofy that homelessness, no matter what age you are, can’t be fun and glamorous. I haven’t been homeless but a favorite uncle of mine has. Stories from him and testimonials from other individuals lead me to believe that society at large mostly has its head in the sand when it comes to homelessness in this country. Instead of using the comment space to attempt to find real solutions, you’ve used it to bicker and compete. I’m a teacher in Woodburn schools teaching about “teen issues.” I stumbled on this article while researching. I don’t normally read the comments that follow the articles I find, but this time I did. How shocking that you have provided the evidence that this world really is as disappointing as my students all think it is.
From a personal standpoint, I was a street youth for six years, addicted to heroin for two of those years, and i’ve befriended people from all walks of life. Thanks to agencies like Outside In, P:ear, and New Avenues, I have been clean for two years and I am typing this comment from a computer at PCC, which i’ve been attending since Winter term. I will not turn my back on my friends who are still stuck out there.
Most street youth are homeless, not hopeless. Sometimes we put up an agressive front to mask our hurt and find the people who will truly care. If you see a fox caught in a trap, does one not have the desire to free it even though it yelps and bites?
We are all small parts of a bigger puzzle, and homelessness is like a kaleidoscope: moving apart and coming back together. Citizens of Portland need to keep an open mind when addressing this issue so that there can be more stories like mine.
P.S. Holly Fawn…you’re amazing!