Street Safety and Related Information

Just like there are many kinds of people, there are many kinds of police officers. Some work very hard to improve the lives of the people in their communities, including persons without housing and respect the laws they enforce. Others are more invested in protecting the rights of those with money, and do not treat homeless persons professionally. Regardless of the police officer or officers you might run into, here are a few general tips that can make these interactions better, and make it less likely that you will get charged and/or arrested:

• Be polite. Even if you are angry and think they are being unfair, make every effort to be polite and respond to their questions. Getting angry will not help the situation and will make it more likely that you will get a ticket/charged.
  
  
• If someone has made a complaint, try to appreciate that person's perspective while explaining your side of things (e.g., "I could see how he/she wouldn't want me to sit outside their store. I was..)
  
  
• The police may ask you to search your belongings. Technically, they cannot do this unless they have some evidence that would give them a reason to believe that you have something illegal amongst your property. Your ability to refuse such a search, by stating "I don't consent to you searching.". may vary depending on the officer and circumstances (i.e., they may search you anyways).
  
  
• If you are being charged with a crime, it is important to speak to a lawyer. The officer has an obligation to inform you of your right to talk to a lawyer. You are obliged to give the officer your correct name and address (if you have one). If you don't give your name, they can arrest you. Don't give a false name, if you do you can get charged with obstruction of justice. Your only obligation is to tell the police your name and address (and possibly date of birth) (in Canada and the U.S.)
  
  
• Remember that you can further incriminate yourself by talking to the police without a lawyer.
  
  
• Also remember that the more false statements you make to the police, the worse you will make it for yourself (i.e., obstructing justice).
  
  
• Don't resist arrest. This will make things much worse for you. It often happens that people go from having a minor charge or ticket-type offence to a lengthy jail term by resisting arrest and/or striking an officer.
  
  
• For further information regarding the charge/arrest process in Canada see The Law, The Police, and You.

There are thousands of services for young people without housing around the world, with most services being concentrated in larger cities. There are a number of different ways that you can find out how to get the food, clothes and shelter you will need to survive:

• Ask around: If you run into other youth who are unhoused ask them where you can find the best places to go.
  
  
• Look in a phone book: You might find listings under youth services, or better yet, find a general information number (e.g., in Toronto, dial 211 for a directory of youth services).
  
  
• Start with one place and ask there: You can also locate one youth service and ask a worker there where you can best find any other services you might need.
  
  
• Look online: There are a number of online directories of youth services along with descriptions. For searchable directories of services, see http://www.in4y.com/ for services in the United States, Almudo.com for services around the world, and http://www.sharedlearnings.org/ for services in Canada.
  
  
• Here are a few things you'll want to consider when picking a shelter or agency to work with:
  
  
• Rules: All services have rules, and you will need to decide what rules you can live with. There is also a lot of range in how strictly they are enforced. Examples include:
  
  1. No drug/alcohol intoxication
  2. No sex trade involvement
  3. No aggressive behaviour
  4. No sexual behaviour
  5. Curfew (i.e., need to be in by 10:00pm)
  6. Need to be up and out by 8:00am.
  7. No assistance regarding birth control, sexual health, or abortion
  
  
• Age limits. Many agencies range in terms of upper age limit (e.g., 18 - 24). You may not want to start with an agency you will have to leave in a few months.
  
  
• Safety: Try to find an agency you and your property will be safe in. Ask around about this and get a feel for the place. Some services do not adequately address safety for some youth (e.g., gay, lesbian, transgendered youth).
  
  
• If you are in a rural setting (i.e., out in the country), you will likely have a much harder time finding youth services. You may have to access adult services or services for housed persons (e.g., general health clinics), rely more on the generosity of friends and family, or have to move to an urban center with more services.
  
  
• If you are in a rural setting (i.e., out in the country), you will likely have a much harder time finding youth services. You may have to access adult services or services for housed persons (e.g., general health clinics), rely more on the generosity of friends and family, or have to move to an urban center with more services.
  
  
• Youth services can offer many things. You should be aware of the kinds of options that are available, think (a counsellor can help with this) about what you need, and ask about it. Examples are:
  
  Help finding work
  
  Help finding housing
  
  Counselling for mental health issues
  
  Help with physical health through a doctor or nurse
  
  Legal help
  
  Food
  
  Clothing
  
  Help with planning education
  
  Help getting connected to other services
  
  Help regarding diversity/ethnicity issues
  
  Help for your children
  
  Spiritual counselling
  
  Involvement in arts/leisure activities

Just like everything, there are pros and cons to living outside (versus living in a shelter - if you have a choice). You are more exposed to the elements (i.e., heat and cold), you face a greater risk of charges/arrest by police and harassment, and in some cities/areas you face a risk of being assaulted. On the flipside, there is often greater freedom in terms of rules etc., some view it as being safer than a shelter, and some just like being outside.

You will probably find nothing better for learning how to live outside well than paying attention to/learning from people very experienced at it. There are, however, some websites that carry a lot of information about topics such as living in squats, various forms of travel, keeping clean/warm/cool, finding food, and constructing shelters. There are also chat rooms where you can ask other youths questions on these topics. Here are a few places you can go for information:

• DigiHitch
• Survival Guide to Homelessness
• Road Dawgz
• Crust Haven
• Squat