I took this picture this morning. It’s at the end of 19th Street in Costa Mesa, known among the homeless as “The Jungle,” where they often camp.

Last night I didn’t go home.

Instead, I hit the streets. Homeless for a night. No, I didn’t stay in The Jungle. It was too wet and rainy so I went where many of the homeless go on such a night — the Lighthouse on Anaheim Avenue.

I’ve been meaning to do this for awhile, but the urge grew irresistible after some maniacs assaulted Gregory Dahlgren, a homeless man in Costa Mesa, with paintballs. The attack itself angered me, but the city’s response to it really incensed me. I don’t think I’m out of line suggesting that when something as disgusting as this happens that the city’s leaders should forcefully condemn it publicly and pledge to bring the perpetrators to justice. Sadly, only Councilwoman Wendy Leece saw fit to take that initiative. The rest of the council members we talked to for this story had to be prompted for reactions.

I think we consider the homeless as just part of the scenery now. The panhandlers are nuisances at the gas station or the grocery store. That bum sleeping in a doorway is almost like an object, human trash. We can’t stop for the guy at the freeway off-ramp saying he’s a veteran — it might cause an accident. Just keep driving, walking. And then there’s the bearded homeless guy, hunched over with a backpack in the middle of the night — will he mug me? Better cross the street to be safe. I can be just as guilty as anyone of these prejudices.

But these are people. They could be you if you lose your job and can’t pay the rent. I’ve written many stories over the years about the homeless. Deep, personal stories. They’re easy to do. Anyone who goes through that dramatic an arc of failure has a story that tells itself. But do they resonate anymore? Are we so worried about our own economic situation in these trying times that we’re all out of sympathy for those worse off than us? Or are we just growing desensitized. The homeless population continues to multiply. Is there nothing else we can do about it? Might as well shrug your shoulders and hope they find their way back to civilization.

Have we, as a society, become like those religious leaders who passed by the mugging victim on the side of the road before he was rescued by the Good Samaritan?

So I thought, “What if I walk in their shoes, if only for a night?” I figured it would make for a more powerful narrative, and perhaps I’d learn more about what leads someone to homelessness.

I’ve learned a lot and gathered some really interesting stories, which I will share with you this week on my blog and finally in print Feb. 22. Stay tuned.

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