Karma is… The Long Beach Homeless Population 

The Long Beach homeless population has become an undeniable presence in my daily life, creating unexpected and often unsettling encounters. Recently, I experienced one such incident that shook me to my core and prompted a deep reflection on safety, compassion, and survival. Through discussions with my therapist and my own personal introspection, I’ve gained valuable insights that I hope to share with you in this post.

It’s been a few days since I ran a homeless man out of my apartment garage in Long Beach. Since then, I’ve discussed the incident with my therapist, and now I’m more educated and aware of where I live. The experience definitely shook me, but it also served as a valuable learning opportunity. One that will stick with me for a long time.

Engaging with the intruder turned out to be the wrong move. My therapist explained the number one rule for self-protection: RUN. Then, when at a safe distance, call 911 and report the incident. Using any kind of weapon is a last resort.

Armed with only my phone, I took it upon myself to confront the intruder.

He walked through our cars, touching everything as he went. I yelled, “GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!” and started recording.

Mr. Sexy mostly stayed behind me during the ordeal. His gut reaction to run away was part trauma response and part street smarts – or military training. But the thing is, neither he nor I completely trust his judgment right now. Discussing this with my therapist, I realized how right Mr. Sexy was to want to run and keep a safe distance.

I’ve never been in an altercation like this.

Living so closely with the Long Beach homeless population feels like having a dangerous, unstable neighbor.

In therapy, I shared my belief that all human life has value. Every person deserves to be acknowledged with a look in the eyes and maybe a smile. Kindness is what I believe in. But when I said that, my therapist threw his head back.

“I’m not judging you,” he said, making it clear how dangerous that could be. The homeless in Long Beach are largely mentally ill, addicted to drugs, or both. Many are unpredictable and volatile. Just last week, I saw the aftermath of a physical altercation between two people behind my apartments. I don’t know the details, but I made my own assumptions.

Yesterday, someone got stabbed in the parking lot in broad daylight. Do I live in the ghetto? I don’t know. I’m still new to Long Beach. I’ve been told the homeless population worsened during COVID.

With an influx of people, largely from San Diego, Long Beach feels full of those living to survive.

When my therapist said the homeless are in survival mode every day, I understood. They do whatever it takes to continue surviving. My kindness, given their state and mental health issues, wouldn’t even be noticed. And if it is, it’s not received as intended. I don’t like thinking my kindness is naïve. I want to believe the best in people, regardless of who they are or where they live.

But now, I think the best thing I can do for myself and my kids is to be aware of the homeless population and not engage. If I feel uncomfortable, I’ll cross the street or take a different route. And I’ll always walk with a friend at night.

I can’t let fear restrict my freedom to walk places.

I feel like I’ve wrapped up this incident. As scary as it was, I’m glad it happened, and I’m glad nobody got hurt. I have better tools in my toolbelt and am more aware of my surroundings. I decided to follow my therapist’s advice and not engage with the homeless, even just to be kind. At the end of the day, I’m also trying to survive and live well. If I want to help the homeless, there are jobs for that. And that’s just not the work for me.

Reflecting on this experience has given me a new perspective on how to navigate life in a city with a significant homeless presence. The Long Beach homeless population, with its complexities and challenges, has taught me the importance of maintaining my safety while still holding onto my values of kindness and empathy. Moving forward, I will stay aware, avoid unnecessary engagements, and prioritize my well-being and that of my family. As I continue to adjust to my new surroundings, I recognize that understanding and respecting these boundaries is crucial for living harmoniously in Long Beach.