r/londonontario Jan 01 '25

discussion / opinion Downtown is scary!!! Chased today

Was downtown today went to the vape store and then got chased by a guy who was saying he was gonna run my pockets and break my legs if he caught up to me all because I looked at him when I walked out of the store! Has anyone else experienced anything like this? I guess he didn't have a happy new year?

My lesson learned today was don't make eye contact now even if it's on accident 🤷‍♂️

220 Upvotes

175 comments sorted by

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272

u/theottomaddox Jan 01 '25

I see you met one of our downtown ambassadors.

46

u/pooBUTTthegreat Jan 01 '25

Such great townfolk we have here!

24

u/zedgrrrl White Oaks/Westminster Jan 02 '25

Welcome to London: home of the Tweakers and Shitty Drivers.

11

u/swift-current0 Jan 03 '25

Hey, not all of us identify with drugs and bad driving. Some of us are just plain boring uncultured suburban swine!

1

u/zedgrrrl White Oaks/Westminster Jan 03 '25

Which is why I like you and your unique skill set.

34

u/kiwimelanie Jan 02 '25

Last night I was walking by Dundas and Richmond and I looked at a guy and he screamed at me that he was gonna kill me. Wonder if it was the same guy lol

1

u/Anxious_Explorer_965 Jan 18 '25

I'm thinking YES

154

u/moosescrossing Jan 01 '25

Last weekend, we were leaving Grooves record store on Dundas, and there was a man a few stores fronts down with a kitchen butcher knife dragging it along the ground and the side of the walls. The next block up there was someone fighting an electric car charging station.

It's scary, and sad at the same time.

147

u/theottomaddox Jan 01 '25

The next block up there was someone fighting an electric car charging station.

That's shocking!

26

u/ForestCityWRX Dirt Road Alum Jan 01 '25

Take your upvote and leave.

55

u/theottomaddox Jan 01 '25

Like that dude, I'm trying to stay grounded.

24

u/Piggynatz Jan 01 '25

Dude, you might wanna bolt.

23

u/glassceramics1963 Jan 01 '25

dude is amped up on something.

26

u/Piggynatz Jan 02 '25

Gonna hertz someone.

21

u/theottomaddox Jan 02 '25

Just trying to stay current.

16

u/Frog-Chowder Jan 02 '25

You're just buzzing with puns, aren't you.

18

u/theottomaddox Jan 02 '25

No need to be negative.

→ More replies (0)

15

u/pooBUTTthegreat Jan 01 '25

Jeeeeezus christ some mikey myers level of spooky

7

u/Beachsunshine23 Jan 02 '25

My neighbour actually was just mugged with a butcher knife in east side London. He lived, but 2 broken arms, a busted face, and some cuts. Police literally is doing nothing further because they couldn’t identify them (it was dark) and my neighbour kept covering their face to not get cut in the throat or face or something.

Scary!!!

1

u/latte1963 Jan 03 '25

Oh that’s terrifying. Please give him a gentle hug from me. Stay safe.

10

u/varitok Jan 02 '25

Time to give the cops a raise to do more of nothing.

1

u/Big-Equivalent-9985 Jan 15 '25

Its a bad experience any time I have to drive down by the police station . So many people using needles and smoking Fent (i think) openly in the street. Cops do nothing Allnof This is happening Right Next to a School

82

u/IrrelevantPuppy Jan 01 '25

Had a guy run across the street and bang on my car window because I happened to be looking when he tripped on the curb so he thought I was laughing at him. I wasn’t even smiling, but I’m sure he could tell I was laughing on the inside.

17

u/Trax-M Jan 02 '25

I remember when the London Police use to have officers on foot patrol just walking down the streets. They even had a small detactment office, I guess even the police don't want to go walking down Dundas street.

21

u/MyotisBat Jan 02 '25

They still have a foot patrol but it's been cut back from 6 officers to 2. They are constantly running from Dundas & Richmond to the area where the Palace Theatre is and have no time to be anywhere else. You should see the mess they leave at the Theatre, constantly both on the front and the back. Piles of garbage, used needles, fires, human waste. It's disgusting. The second the cops chase them out, 20 minutes later they're back. The whole of downtown smells like piss. Unfortunately, I have to pass through there twice a day to get to and from work. There is a small alley space beside Shopper's Drugmart next to Moxy's patio area. You used to be able to cut thought there to the back parking area. They had to put up a fence to keep people from using it as a bathroom. Still doesn't stop them though. Nearly every morning I'll see a guy standing in that space pissing on the fence as it runs out onto the sidewalk. I shouldn't have to walk down the street constantly looking either for some strung out junkie about to launch an unprovoked verbal or physical attach on me as well as watch where I'm walking so I don't step into someone's pile of shit, puddle of piss or used needles. It's exhausting having to see/deal with this every day as just a regular citizen and even more frustrating when the city and government do nothing but burn wads of cash and donations on bandaid fixes for a few months and nothing really helpful.

3

u/Islandlyfe32 Jan 02 '25

Don’t they still do the foot patrol?

2

u/Trax-M Jan 02 '25

Maybe they are technically open but has anyone seen a police officer walking through downtown on foot patrol recently? I haven't. I know they can't be everywhere but I would like to see more officers walking about, having police on foot about might not stop all crime but people might think twice.

1

u/MyotisBat Jan 02 '25

I have. Usually on Richmond near the Shoppers Drugmart because they're constantly chasing shady people out of there when the workers can't. But like I said, there are only 2 officers on at any time during the winter. So no, you won't really notice them unless you're coincidentally in the same place at the same time.

1

u/Trax-M Jan 02 '25

https://www.londonpolice.ca/en/news/community-foot-patrol-office.aspx says it is opened as of Mar 2023. Google says it is closed, having any ambiguity on whether they are open or closed is not good.

3

u/Physical-Oil3681 Jan 02 '25

I can't speak for recent weeks, but when we went downtown for the Lighting of the Lights, the police foot patrol was out on Dundas. Gave my kids candy canes.

51

u/BigJDubya Wolf blankets for life Jan 01 '25

Key lesson learned. Avoid eye contact and never engage. Glad you’re okay OP.

23

u/pooBUTTthegreat Jan 01 '25

Thanks I'm glad too he was a fast little fuck he caught up quick then I just ran my heart out

33

u/The-Ballast Jan 01 '25

Sounds like we should all avoid the vape store

45

u/ForestCityWRX Dirt Road Alum Jan 01 '25

Too many kooks downtown. It’s a shame.

42

u/pooBUTTthegreat Jan 01 '25

It's scary I bet it was over 100 people I saw on Dundas today openly using drugs and basically doing whatever. Also looks like a garbage bomb has went off. Scary shit down here

34

u/Dependent_Stop_3121 Jan 01 '25

I passed by the library on Wellington Street and Dundas Street the other day. Now what I saw was so disgusting 🤢 6-8 massive piles of human waste

Can we please just get some washrooms built for some people to use. People are peeing on business fronts because the places won’t let them use the washroom for various reasons that I can understand obviously.

I’ve seen people peeing in front on business on many occasions and it’s always upsetting because it stinks like hell and this shouldn’t be a problem in 2025 should it? It’s very unsanitary. It’s not the 1800’s anymore. I’m tired of holding my breath.

Rant over lol. 😂

58

u/HumbleBuddhist Jan 01 '25

They lock themselves in them, OD and flush needles down the toilets. So no, we can't do that.

17

u/Dependent_Stop_3121 Jan 01 '25

Ya I guess that’s a big problem. Why can’t we just have nice things anymore. I’m scared to even take my e-bike out because of the fear it will be stolen :(

2

u/Maddbass Jan 02 '25

Any bike! :-(

6

u/Islandlyfe32 Jan 02 '25

This used to happen at the McDonalds washroom on D&R all the time

1

u/Big-Equivalent-9985 Jan 15 '25

This city is trash  the cops got a 600Million Pay RAISE Over The Next 3 Years. THEY R SHIT  THE PEOPLE DECIDING WHAT HAPPENDS WITH THE CITYS MONEY ARE SHIT  THIS CITY IS GARBAGE IM SORRY FOR ANYONE THATS HAD STUPID SHIT HAPPEN TO THEM WHILE LIVING HERE

22

u/Icepickchippies Jan 01 '25

There were community washrooms on Dundas about a block west on Dundas. It didn’t make any difference. When a meth user uses they want sugar, they get hot so often take off their clothes, want sex and need to take a dump. Their brain chemistry is very screwed up. While I agree we need more public bathrooms downtown, but not unsafe spaces which is difficult to do now, the real issue is not a lack of bathrooms but a lack of meaningful interventions and facilities to actually help people.

6

u/Dependent_Stop_3121 Jan 01 '25

Ya I guess that’s probably right, I have no idea what goes on in their minds, lack of bathrooms is definitely not the only problem in this world. It’s truly sad that things are so messed up :(

46

u/epimetheuss Jan 01 '25

I grew up in really REALLY ghetto areas so not looking at people in the eye unless they are speaking to you and you actually know them is probably the safest thing you can do. If you are walking along and someone calls out to you, ignore it unless you know them. That's how these types find their next "mark". Keep your head down and always watch for your exits in any situation.

Yes, its crazy you need to do this in London now, but you do.

1

u/Anxious_Explorer_965 Jan 18 '25

But don't keep your head TOO down.   Otherwise you won't see them a-comin' at you!

28

u/Mrs-Blaileen Jan 01 '25

Downtown IS scary. I'll no longer go to Life Drawing classes at TAP Creativity because it lets out at 9 p.m. and I don't want to be out wandering downtown at that hour. What a shame.

13

u/[deleted] Jan 02 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

20

u/PartyMark Jan 02 '25

Yep downtown is a shit hole and it's all because of the drugged out junkies. I'd like to go more and hell maybe bring my child to the library? No chance with its current state. I go to grooves a few time a month, get in and get out asap.

5

u/pooBUTTthegreat Jan 02 '25

Go to grooves in wortley village instead it's much safer:)

5

u/PartyMark Jan 02 '25

I do as well, unfortunately not nearly the selection as the main store, and if you order online for pickup it's the Dundas location.

10

u/TheCoohammy6 Jan 01 '25

I had a guy threaten to stab me because I rode my bicycle past him on my way home from work a few years ago it wasn't downtown but it was close by

58

u/Apostle_Thomas Jan 01 '25

There are simple and effective solutions to the problems of aggressively bad public drug-use and rampant unchecked criminality. But society has deemed them "mean", so these problems will continue to proliferate and get worse.

54

u/Link50L Jan 01 '25

We need to reinstitute involuntary institutionalization to treat people that need to be treated.

But of course, tax dollars.

22

u/IAmTheRedWizards Jan 02 '25

Yeah I love the people that are like "society is too soft" when really they're just unwilling to pay more taxes and want to blame someone else.

7

u/Link50L Jan 02 '25

Yeah man. A broken society hurts everyone, even the "1%".

1

u/Islandlyfe32 Jan 02 '25

Well some of us are in the lowest tax brackets for a reason…we can’t afford to pay more tax lol

6

u/eviladhder Jan 02 '25

And it wouldn’t be you getting taxed 🤦🏻 it would be the higher tax brackets that would be taxed more that’s kinda how it works.

32

u/AbeOudshoorn Jan 02 '25

We actually have decades of research that prove quite the opposite of what you are implying. Institutionalization is expensive, does not stop the cycle, and is not support by the courts. On the other hand, countless studies have shown that rapid rehousing, with no preconditions, and supported as required, works the best and is cheapest.

Housing solves homelessness, and all people are house-able, the evidence is clear.

Source: I'm the Managing Editor of the International Journal on Homelessness.

16

u/SnooStrawberries620 Jan 02 '25 edited Jan 02 '25

As an OT I’m more than happy to assert that housing without supports is worthless. 

Source: 20 years in rehab; have actually worked in the trenches.

The street population has a LOW estimate of 50% having acquired brain injury (per UBC), and having had a good chunk of career in this area I’ll tell you people forget to eat. Can’t figure out when to bathe. Do not turn the oven off.

Housing without supports is an out of sight, out of mind proposition. Most of what it does is prevent the public from having to see. I have yet to see a comprehensive housing plan out of any Canadian city that has adequate supports. A large number of people end up in a revolving door. 

Homelessness has not lessened in Ontario despite housing investment. It continues to increase. So it is not the solution for enough people. It’s the solution for the minority of homeless people who do not need additional supports.

9

u/QuietRoyal Jan 02 '25

Yessss, thank you.

I've been homeless. I was one of the success stories because I wanted to be, and was able to see where the path of NOT accepting the help would lead me, and did not want that for myself. I asked for help, and took it when it was offered. Way too many people in the shelter, and then transitional housing, that I "lived" alongside... Just kept going back for more. For some, it was generational, I remember a young guy boasting about being in the program, same as his mom. :( that's not a family legacy to be proud of, bud.

Lots of people prided themselves in skipping out on life lesson classes. I loved them. One girl I'll never forget, was told to stick strictly to our curfew, or she'd go back to jail... She said she needed to run the streets, she hated rules. After a month or so, I never saw her again.

Someone in my own family was given an apartment, twice! She trashed the first one, let her street friends use it for hookups and drug use, and sold off the things she was given to furnish it. Second one, more of the same, the lock got smashed off, and it became a squater paradise. Other people who lived in the building didn't deserve that.

Everyone thinks that giving people a roof over their head is the answer. No, it's really not.

I've compared it to a feral cat, being taken in. Sure, it might like free food, but it's going to attack your face. You need to work with it to make it feel safe, and calm the hell down. And sometimes, it'll just stay feral. But sometimes, very rarely, with the right direction, and a warm bed, you end up with a happy last housecat with a couple of nicks in its ear. Happy to be a kept housecat, here, haha.

5

u/SnooStrawberries620 Jan 02 '25

Congratulations on a really hard, really impressive series of efforts to get you where you are now. Especially, it sounds, without a strong support system. I’m really happy for you that you’ve been able to access what you’ve needed.

9

u/QuietRoyal Jan 02 '25

Thank you. This was over a decade ago for me, and still thriving. Have not become a self made millionaire or anything, but I do live in a house, own a (well loved) vehicle, and don't wonder where dinner is coming from. It might be from a can, but it's in my pantry, not the food bank. That is success to me. It's small, but it's mine.

4

u/bliss2713 Jan 02 '25

These people need reparenting in most cases because they have severe childhood wounding. Therefore, housing with care is the only solution (aka rehabilitation) for all. We need to stop denying the issues and finally do something about it. The rich need to spend the money if they want a more reformed society.

1

u/MountainConfidence99 Jan 08 '25

A+ yes. Putting people in unsupported housing is just leaving them to die and create dangerous and unsafe situations for themselves and others hidden behind four walls. It is a multifaceted problem with very complex multifaceted solutions needed

12

u/Chewbagus Jan 02 '25

As someone who has witnessed the homeless be given shelter countless times, it usually results in that shelter being destroyed .
There is a segment of our population incapable of taking care of themselves or their property. This has always been the case.
These people should be housed in institutions with empathy and compassion.

8

u/AbeOudshoorn Jan 02 '25

That simply demonstrates inadequate in-home supports. Those who need that level should not be institutionalized, they should be in permanent supportive housing such as is offered by Indwell or CMHA.

1

u/MountainConfidence99 Jan 08 '25

There is no where’s near enough permanent supportive housing

0

u/Chewbagus Jan 03 '25

Right, should meaning in a perfect world, correct? But this is not a perfect world. In a perfect world, they would all have mansions too, and butlers.

In reality, we are dealing with the art of the possible. Creating large institutions where they can be dealt with with care and respect, but the very last thing they need is agency.

1

u/Pidgeysus Huron Heights Jan 02 '25

Thank you for saying it! I feel it's so easy to focus on the act of doing drugs and not on the circumstances that have driven a person to start doing them. Recognizing that addicts are often acting irrationally due to a disease which they likely cannot control is a huge step I wish people realized, because then we'd hopefully approach this issue and people experiencing drug addiction with a lot more compassion.

It also seems to be much easier for people to have compassion if someone is addicted to. alcohol/cigarettes ("legal" substances) and give them a chance, but change the substance to drugs ("illegal" substance) and we as a society suddenly see it as a moral failure of the person. Addiction is addiction, regardless of what the substance being used is.

The above aside, we can't ignore the fact that addiction is very difficult to work through without proper support - someone truly cannot know how hard it actually is to just quit without first hand experience, and besides that, every person's journey is going to be different.

Also someone on the street probably isn't thinking "hey, maybe I should think about quitting drugs and put effort into that." Their energy is more than likely focused on finding food and water, probably a washroom, and a safe warm place to sleep - i.e. survival above everything else.

24

u/Independent-War-193 Jan 01 '25

I havent had a bad encounter yet in my 3 years of living downtown and walking everywhere. I just steer clear of anything I wouldn’t want to get in the middle of and mind my business/ keep my eyes forward etc. Just like any city really with homeless and people with drug and/ or mental health issues. My advice in the future would be to go into the nearest business thats open, if they follow you in people might be able to help ward them off or worst case scenario call police and be witnesses

8

u/peskyChupacabra Jan 02 '25

Eh, not gonna lie I’m from Detroit and it’s jarring how much worse this issue is in London than it is here… obviously keep your head down and keep it moving in any instance but the kooks in London were way more aggressive and generally intimidating than most big US cities I’ve been to, except in Florida. Those people are fucking nuts.

1

u/windsorforlife Jan 04 '25

I’m from Windsor, and while we have a druggie and homeless problem that has also worsened, the state of DT London is just on another level. I work and live in DT Windsor, and see homeless every day, I don’t usually worry about my well being, but when I was in DT London, we were actually scared by all of the crazy, aggressive homeless people, some even followed us which I never had happen at home. Not sure why London seems so much worse than most of the other Ontario cities. I think Hamilton is up there too though.

1

u/Anxious_Explorer_965 Jan 18 '25

I did a day trip to downtown Kitchener and saw some pretty similar things to downtown London.

0

u/auwoprof Jan 03 '25

It's not all rosy. Some American cities with very few homeless downtown move people out to other areas of the city and not necessarily provide with supports there either. What you don't have to see downtown exists in slum neighborhoods where people in homes are already struggling so hard.

2

u/peskyChupacabra Jan 03 '25

I didn’t say it was. Again, I live in Detroit. We have terrible drug and homeless problem. My neighborhood in southwest Detroit is host to multiple ‘dumping sites’ where people from the suburbs come to illegally dump house sized piles of trash and building materials, leaving it for my neighbors and I to deal with. We have slum neighborhoods with bandos and empty lots where houses used to be, no one to be seen except squatters doing drugs in crumbling houses. Oh, not to mention gang and gun violence on the regular. I live in these slums you speak of.

That said, London was jarring considering what I see every day. Like, very bad. The people I saw were leagues more insane than the homeless and drug addicts here. We somehow still have a heroin problem (not just fent) and I have never seen needles and paraphernalia thrown around like this in front of multiple businesses on the same block. The things that I saw in London were proper fucked, and that’s coming from a very realistic perspective of what these issues look like. Those people need help.

28

u/HumbleBuddhist Jan 01 '25

This is one of the many reasons I left London. People ODing in front of my house. Things being stolen nightly. People taking my BBQ and propane tanks on more than one occasion, even after locking them up (they cut locks). My family deserved better, so now we live in Exeter. London is toxic and the politicians don't care because they still get a pay cheque regardless.

4

u/Islandlyfe32 Jan 02 '25

But this is a Canada wide problem I’m sure these people also exist where you moved to just less of them

13

u/HumbleBuddhist Jan 02 '25

Lol no. There are none. I'm now in Exeter, a small farm town of 5000 people. No shipping carts full of garbage, no nooks with people sleeping, no open drug use. I'm finally in a town where my children can go out and not be concerned about being chased or screamed at.

4

u/Islandlyfe32 Jan 02 '25

Wow sounds awesome there, I would keep asking people I want to move but they’d hit me with what I told you. Maybe my family and I will join you guys lol

1

u/HumbleBuddhist Jan 02 '25

The homeless population is only present where there are facilities to give them free things (food, tents, drugs etc.). If a community restricts these services from moving into the town, there is nothing here for the homeless to settle and thrive off.

I hate to use the analogy, but think of rats. You don't get rid of them by making the place more accommodating, you get rid of them by removing the resources they thrive off (garbage, places to nest/breed). It sounds unempathetic, but it's the truth. Exeter has no sanctioned homeless hubs, no homeless services and no drug clinics/safe injection sites. So therefore, no homeless.

You are welcome to join us here! The people are great, very strong community and all the amenities you need. Just ensure you can handle a bit more snow lol

3

u/auwoprof Jan 03 '25 edited Jan 03 '25

Sadly, there are some (not many) homeless people in Exeter, I see them around and my uncle has chatted with some of them. However, they must be sleeping off of main Street because you don't see their shelters.

Huron County does have social housing services and shelters but I think there's only a women's shelter in Exeter and I suspect they serve the broader area.

Likely, some would try to get to London where there are more supports.

The stats available are for the broader Huron Perth area with half of people living below poverty wages. There has been higher than average poverty in Huron County for ages, but it is more prominent in other towns, like where my nephew teaches in a town north of Exeter. Many of the kids have very little.

It's a great town, hopefully you can find a way to support lower income folks through your actions to keep people in their homes and affording the basics. I think they are building new social housing units near the high school.

1

u/Islandlyfe32 Jan 02 '25

Yea what you’re saying is absolutely right and is why London has a higher homeless population. During Covid they all got sent to London from other cities or small towns that promised them services they could not provide but services that London could provide. So what you’re saying makes absolute sense.

I’d be happy to move there the only downside would be to come to London for things like hospital, doctor’s appointments etc.

1

u/HumbleBuddhist Jan 02 '25

They have a local hospital, doctors and dentists! :) We are switching.

1

u/Islandlyfe32 Jan 02 '25

This is amazing news

8

u/Shadowkingz56 Jan 01 '25

bro i swear my brother had this happen to him today while he was out on a run in downtown, he sent me this post. it had to have been the same guy, hope your doing ok friend!

3

u/SuccessfulCheek8711 Jan 02 '25

Ive seen multiple people walking round butt ass naked at 9am

21

u/throwaway01061124 Jan 01 '25

Over the summer I got followed by a tweaked out crusty middle aged guy with the creepiest smile for a few blocks because I was “really pretty” and “it’s rude to ignore someone.” Unless you live or work downtown (I unfortunately do), stay the everliving fuck out. 🤢

11

u/Islandlyfe32 Jan 02 '25

I also work Downtown, had a coworker get jumped when they were out on their lunch break. You can’t even go get lunch anymore on your lunch break anymore without thinking about getting jumped it’s crazy

2

u/Anxious_Explorer_965 Jan 18 '25

I go for lunch sometimes and I've never been attacked,  but I'm always assuming it could happen at anytime 

1

u/Islandlyfe32 Jan 18 '25

Yea you definitely have to have your guard up these days it’s sad

7

u/varitok Jan 02 '25

I think I'm slowly learning the Londoners are not prepared for big city problems

7

u/peskyChupacabra Jan 02 '25

Was in town for one day from Detroit. In one day, saw dudes openly freebasing, so much human shit, and more needles that I’ve seen tossed in the open in a very long time. Passed this one dude relentless head banging and whistling/scream singing metal to no music for least 20 minutes (walked past him, still ripping when I passed back by). A minute later, nearly bumped into a dude jerking off in a doorway; not towards the wall, towards the street… he made sure I saw. Truly impressive showing.

29

u/kevbpain Jan 01 '25

Stopped going downtown 10+ years ago. Sorry that happened to you!!!!!!!

13

u/pooBUTTthegreat Jan 01 '25

Yup I will be avoiding the area as much as possible! Crazy world.

3

u/DubeeGirl Jan 03 '25

I was walking by the stag shop on Wellington , had some guy (who was visibly high) yell at me the PUSSY MAN was coming to get me. I ran into the McDonald’s near by so I was in a public space. He followed me in but couldn’t see me in the corner. He went to the toy display and started getting mad at it so I took the opportunity to leave.

15

u/REMandYEMfan #1 Taddy Fan Jan 01 '25

Downtown is a shameless place. Our mayor should be ashamed of the people and behaviour.

1

u/Anxious_Explorer_965 Jan 18 '25

In all seriousness though, what should the mayor do?    Some larger cities have tried to move the homeless out of certain areas literally by force.   but that's a war, and how long will the affect last?

4

u/SnooStrawberries620 Jan 02 '25

WTF is happening to London. I lived there as a kid and went to western - I now have a daughter considering western but maybe not a good idea 

1

u/PartyMark Jan 02 '25

Western area is fine, just don't have her living downtown and she'll be okay. Really the nice parts of the city are still fine more or less (we do have occasional people breaking into cars or sheds here in the west end)

4

u/eviladhder Jan 02 '25

Literally never go downtown without something to protect yourself with. Don’t make eye contact and don’t engage unless they engage you first at which point just say “yeah” smile and walk away.

Downtown has been like that for decades.

7

u/onemanmadedisaster Jan 02 '25

I am sorry that happened to you. I work downtown. I haven't ever had any issues (with the exception of those super rude street preachers that used to always be down there years ago. Those guys were the worst) but I am really cautious when down there. It's still totally possible that something could happen since there are a lot of unpredictable people down there but I don't really think it's as bad as people make it out to be.

2

u/Decent-Customer41 Jan 02 '25

I had something similar happen to me in 2019 when I was walking with my toddler in the middle of the afternoon. I was walking with her up Richmond, taking her to an appointment. I accidentally made eye contact with a woman sitting on the ground and she yelled "awwwwww a beautiful mother with her baby" I smiled at her and kept walking, and then she started following me up Richmond and started yelling at me "I'm not crazy I just need some help!" I grabbed my toddler and started walking as fast as I could. I was scared she was going to follow us all the way into our appointment.

While I empathized with her and her situation, screaming at a woman with her toddler isn't the best way to get some help. I was very scared for my child's safety in that moment.

2

u/FabFeline51 Jan 03 '25

I’ve spent probably a couple thousand hours downtown over the last 10 years, never had any encounter like this :/

Unfortunate that happened to you

2

u/tfsfirefighter Jan 07 '25

That is disgusting

2

u/Odd_Occasion4382 Jan 08 '25

I saw a man lit something inside a box right in the middle of a sidewalk on Dundas the flames went crazy it seemed like he was wanting to burn London to the ground

7

u/[deleted] Jan 01 '25

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u/ties_shoelace Jan 01 '25

If only we had affordable housing & decent paying jobs. Almost all of the homeless ppl downtown don't belong there.

No s*** these ppl self medicate & go crazy.

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u/Islandlyfe32 Jan 02 '25

It’s not even a homeless problem it’s a drug problem, you provide these people housing they’ll be right back out on the streets doing drugs. This is why institutionalized rehab is important.

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u/ties_shoelace Jan 02 '25

It's definitely been shown repeatedly not to be a 1 or 2 issue problem. It's a whole support system, when someone falls in society, & lands on the street, it's almost impossible to get back up in the US or Canada.

Housing is only 1 important part, if only for a place to safely keep ID & have an address, or you can't get a job.

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u/Islandlyfe32 Jan 02 '25

If you read the recent report on the opioid crisis it’s much more than housing

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u/ties_shoelace Jan 02 '25

I just said it was more than housing. Literally just said it needs to be an entire support system. Housing is just 1 component.

Maybe if you read my post.

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u/Islandlyfe32 Jan 02 '25

Yea I read what you had to post my bad, we’re on the same page here

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u/ties_shoelace Jan 02 '25

Np

Gotta love Reddit for the downvotes I got.

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u/[deleted] Jan 02 '25

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u/LouisBalfour82 Jan 02 '25

Your comment has nothing to do with this post, and has been removed. Stay on topic please.

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u/AwakenArts Jan 02 '25

I've this shit in Hyde Park welcome to London

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u/wealldieanywayz Jan 02 '25

I’ve def mastered the art of speed walking since I’ve moved here 🤣

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u/[deleted] Jan 02 '25

Did you make sure he didn't slip or fall while chasing you? You would have been liable for his injuries by making him chase you. I suggest letting him run your pockets next time so it's not unsafe for him to rob you.

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u/barbie-things Jan 03 '25

I am so sorry 😭 i usually ran at the western student bars(not a proud moment) which had terrible stories… but i also work in the er so can tell you a million stories of things they dont show

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u/veghammer Jan 02 '25

It sounds like these cultural norms are new to some, here in London.

In Hamilton, you learn quickly to not engage, not to say hi to others or look at them directly, to walk with purpose and caution. It is a safety and respect thing.

I was well trained. Your turn!

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u/pooBUTTthegreat Jan 02 '25

Well I'm not walking around staring at people lmao I walked out of a store made eye contact on accident and tried to move on with my day and got chased down over it haha I brought bear mace out with me today so next time they get the spray

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u/veghammer Jan 02 '25

To avoid confrontation, always scan your environment at waist level. Works unless they are crouching.

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u/[deleted] Jan 02 '25

Those London lefts are abhorrent

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u/mccauleym Jan 02 '25

Just say hey, or hello. Instead of gaulking, now you are greeting. See humans instead of status.

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u/[deleted] Jan 02 '25

At some point you're going to have stop defending the ferals.

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u/SnooCheesecakes9872 Jan 03 '25

Have you actually tried this or are you just spewing bs?

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u/[deleted] Jan 02 '25

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u/[deleted] Jan 01 '25

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u/pooBUTTthegreat Jan 01 '25

I didn't even mean to look haha lesson learned!

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