2008 Woodie Awards
'Bum hunting' trend sweeps country
Tara Summers, The Daily Reveille (LSU)
Issue date: 3/15/07 Section: News
BATON ROUGE, La. - A trend called "bum hunting" is on the rise. Teenagers and young adults have been committing acts of violence against homeless people across the nation.
On Oct. 1, 2006, "60 Minutes" reported that two teenagers in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., were captured on a video surveillance tape beating a homeless man.
Another incident occurred in Milwaukee where a 15-year-old and his friends had beers with a homeless man, and then began throwing sticks and leaves at him.
A National Coalition for the Homeless report stated, "There were 122 attacks and 20 murders against the homeless" in 2006. This has been the most attacks in almost a decade, according to the report.
Johnny Lee Austin, a frequenter of the Bishop Ott homeless shelter, said he is aware of the incidences that have occurred in Florida and said he knows it can happen to him.
"Well you know something, I know it can happen to me," he said. "I hope it doesn't happen [to me]."
Austin also said he uses his faith to help him get through his life.
"The Lord Jesus Christ takes care of me. I pray and read everyday," he said. "God is the answer to all our problems."
Although bum hunting has become a national issue, some city officials said the trend has not affected the Baton Rouge homeless.
Sgt. Don Kelly, Baton Rouge Police Department spokesperson, said homeless people are more likely to become crime victims, but because no reports are being made, there is no way to accurately gauge the problem.
"It's not something that's a huge problem here, or at least a reported one," he said. "They don't report crimes to the police, which increases their attractiveness."
Kelly said homeless people are often hard to find and are constantly changing locations, which makes it hard to take someone to court.
Michael Acaldo, chief executive director of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a charity organization, said he has heard that bum hunting has become a problem throughout the United States.
On Oct. 1, 2006, "60 Minutes" reported that two teenagers in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., were captured on a video surveillance tape beating a homeless man.
Another incident occurred in Milwaukee where a 15-year-old and his friends had beers with a homeless man, and then began throwing sticks and leaves at him.
A National Coalition for the Homeless report stated, "There were 122 attacks and 20 murders against the homeless" in 2006. This has been the most attacks in almost a decade, according to the report.
Johnny Lee Austin, a frequenter of the Bishop Ott homeless shelter, said he is aware of the incidences that have occurred in Florida and said he knows it can happen to him.
"Well you know something, I know it can happen to me," he said. "I hope it doesn't happen [to me]."
Austin also said he uses his faith to help him get through his life.
"The Lord Jesus Christ takes care of me. I pray and read everyday," he said. "God is the answer to all our problems."
Although bum hunting has become a national issue, some city officials said the trend has not affected the Baton Rouge homeless.
Sgt. Don Kelly, Baton Rouge Police Department spokesperson, said homeless people are more likely to become crime victims, but because no reports are being made, there is no way to accurately gauge the problem.
"It's not something that's a huge problem here, or at least a reported one," he said. "They don't report crimes to the police, which increases their attractiveness."
Kelly said homeless people are often hard to find and are constantly changing locations, which makes it hard to take someone to court.
Michael Acaldo, chief executive director of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a charity organization, said he has heard that bum hunting has become a problem throughout the United States.
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