I walked to Whole Foods from my office near Thomas Circle as I often do. On the way back, my coworker and I encountered a man I see quite often on 14th in that general area. He is a older man, short cropped hair, short beard, yellowish eyes. He was wearing a blue long sleeved t shirt and blue pants. Both were soiled. He is obviously an addict and has mental health issues, but unfortunately is also sometimes aggressive.

As my friend and I walked by he started muttering something about if we “had a boyfriend…” and “he probably did not know what to do to (us) but (he) did…” and then just started mumbling about “p***y” over and over again while following us.

I am ashamed to admit it, but I have given up saying anything. That corridor of 14th St. and McPherson Square park are so chock full of homeless men with mental health and addiction issues, it has become commonplace to be harassed both to and from work, and sometimes during lunch. I would estimate that I am harassed at least 3-4 times a week going from McPherson square metro to my office. It doesn’t help that the ground is often covered in those disgusting photoshopped cards featuring womens’ rear ends as promos for various clubs and DJs.

I feel like I am running the gauntlet every day. And I feel like screaming at a mentally ill/drunk/stoned man is going to get me nowhere. But it scares me, and I have to get to work.

Submitted by Jessica

Location: 14th between P and Thomas Circle

Time of harassment: Day Time (9:30A-3:30P)

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