So um…there’s an openly racist OPD cop that’s stalking me, harassing me, asking me questions about my genitals, making blatantly racist comments about me, and threatening to Baker Act me simply for putting my hands up when he stops me. I’m homeless so I don’t even have a house to duck into to get away from him. I’m hiding at a friend’s place right now and I could get them in trouble if they’re caught sneaking visitors in. I really don’t think Orlando is safe anymore (not that it ever was, but I’m actively in danger now) but it’s an $80 bus ride to get back to my friends in Collier County. I don’t have a job because the same cop who’s harassing me had me arrested for “disorderly conduct” (which even the jail guards agreed was a quote “bullshit throwaway charge”) two days into my new job. I can’t risk panhandling or he’ll arrest me again. I really need to get the fuck out of here but I have no way of making money and I really don’t know what to do. Somebody please help me, I’m scared for my life.
Edit to add: It’s not just the cops either. It’s cops, it’s civilians, it’s other homeless people. I had a civilian pull a gun out on my friend and me last night because he caught us sitting behind a closed business that he neither worked at nor owned. There are a handful of other homeless people who get blackout drunk and try to rob me, fight me, or rape me. I’m absolutely not safe here.
Edit #2: A couple of people have asked if I have a PayPal or Venmo or anything and I have PayPal ([email protected]) and Ko-Fi (BulimicSpacePug). A few people sent me money already so I’m only ten or fifteen bucks shy of a Greyhound to Naples or Miami. I still have the issue of my broken glasses to deal with, but I’m definitely not gonna ask for that kind of money with my uninsured ass. I could also use a few dollars to eat while I look for a new job when I get where I’m going. Thank you so much for the reblogs and the donations.
Update: I met up with a friend the other night who’s also planning to skip town soon. We’ve been crashing at another friend’s place for the past couple of nights (but he’s not in any position for this to be a permanent arrangement, unfortunately), panhandling, and trying to save up enough money to eat and buy supplies when we get where we’re going. We have enough to get to Miami, but we have very little supplies between the two of us: a blanket, some clothes, and a handful of hygiene products. I also have a phone payment due tomorrow and to top the whole thing off, my glasses broke. I have an interview in a couple of days (in Orlando) and if they hire me then we’ll be able to stay and save up a couple of paychecks, but if not, we’re going to have to just get out of dodge.
I really hate doing this and thank you so much to the people who’ve helped me but I really do need whatever I can get so we can maybe survive for a few days while we figure out Miami instead of jumping right into an unfamiliar city with no safety net.
(Also, it would be nice to be able to see.)