Hello, I'm concerned about the homeless population in Roanoke (Radford: law, bus)

[QueenKLS]

I recently moved here back in July and I do take the metro bus system and I've noticed there's a lot of homeless people who hang around the bus station in the downtown area. I have had them ask for money, I rarely give it because I barely get by, but today I had such a bad situation with a homeless man near by that I had to get the police involved. Does the Roanoke area do nothing for the homeless? I know there's some shelters here but it seems like they are just used temporarily. How do I protect myself around the bus system. I don't carry any self defense weapons but after moving to Roanoke from Radford, I feel I need to get pepperspray or carry a knife. I don't own a gun. I'm originally from a smaller town of Marion but I didn't think Roanoke would be unsafe. Sorry some of the streets here really creep me out.

[16 Acres]

The homeless are usually pretty harmless, but it can happen as you have discovered. Roanoke has the Rescue Mission. They really help out, but it also doesn't seem to "keep the population down". I would call the police back or possibly the Downtown Roanoke Association for more help and info. They are also very concerned about the situation. I also believe they enacted a "no begging" law a while back, that has helped. Most of the streets are OK during the day, but try to avoid some of the dark quiet streets at night. Carrying pepper spray may not be a bad idea though.

[QueenKLS]

Oh okay I was wondering.