Okay, so he doesn't know the people downtown and he's spinning theories about them. Doesn't seem very useful. I'm wondering if anyone has actually talked to these young people and knows much about them. If so, their observations haven't made it into the RG. I know a fair amount about the homeless in general from talking to them and other advocates, and following the issue for almost 5 years. I don't know much specifically about the young people downtown, and it doesn't sound like anyone else does either.

As for mutual respect, I wouldn't expect much from people who have been excluded from society and are struggling to survive. That tends to make people angry.

Being on public property cannot, by definition, be "trespassing", unless that property somehow excludes everyone, such as the parks after 11 pm. Why is this a difficult concept for people like Lees? At most you can outlaw specific behaviors, if courts allow it.