A Southern California neighborhood is on high alert after months of disturbances caused by a naked man believed to be homeless, engaging in troubling behavior, reported KTLA. Residents of the Mid-Wilshire area have reported the man trespassing and acting erratically on their properties, eliciting both fear and frustration.
"Most nights, he sleeps naked anywhere he can find access to someone’s yard or stairwell," a resident, who opted to remain unnamed stated, as captured by KTLA. Other concerns highlighted by the neighborhood include the presence of children in the vicinity and the man being found with items that could pose a danger, "There have been times he's been found with weapons," a resident added, recounting that he was once arrested with a taser and had been seen carrying a golf club.
Local news outlet CBS Los Angeles also covered the story, where a neighbor expressed severe apprehension, "He needs to be put away because someone is going to end up being raped and someone is going to end up being killed." The same concern is echoed throughout the community as they fear for their safety and the potential of more serious crimes resulting from the man’s actions.
Despite arrests, such as the one on Sunday when the man, identified as 51-year-old Dushaun Barnett, was taken into custody after allegedly stealing clothes and camper parts, residents are troubled by the cyclical nature of the situation. In a statement echoed by FOX LA, one resident detailed an alarming pattern, "He had been arrested almost every week," which contributes to the ongoing anxiety of those living nearby. The same source underscores the difficulty in legally restraining Barnett due to his homelessness, and the added stress it places on neighbors who are demanding tangible solutions.
Amidst the calls for action, there's a consensus among the neighbors that beyond the need for Barnett's removal from the neighborhood, is the necessity for mental health intervention. They recognize that underlying issues need to be addressed to ensure community safety and to provide Barnett with the support he requires. For those in need of mental health support, resources such as the 988 hotline and the LACDMH 24/7 helpline at 800-854-7771 are available.
