Being homeless is not a crime, but so often the things the homeless do are criminal. This article is just one more case in point of such an occurrence. As many people have already commented, Eugene does an excellent job of catering to the needs of said individuals and then punishing them for taking advantage beyond the scope of that hospitality. 

My office is downtown, across the street from the Eugene Court House, and I can say with certainty that I am full cognizant of the homeless issue we are facing. Every morning I come in and there are people sleeping in front of access routes, there's trash everywhere, people defecate and urinate on and inside the property. When I want to go get tea these people stand in front of me, block my path, ask me for money, step where I step and I am scared. And then I'm ashamed for being afraid and hating someone I don't even know. This situation has no clear solution but "correction" is not the answer; it's not us vs them.