Hassled Homeless Men Get TRO Against Chainsaw-Wielding Tormentor
Fort Lauderdale homeless men have joined forces to get a restraining order against a city resident who they say has been harassing them and encouraging vigilantism.
The resident is accused of targeting the men by affixing “wanted posters” to walls of local shops and on street corners, the Miami Herald reports.
Douglas Brawley, chief assistant public defender for Broward County, told the Herald that posters offered as much as $500 reward. Brawley also told the paper that the homeless men claim they were chased by the resident, who at one point was armed with a chainsaw.
The homeless men reportedly first took their complaints to local police, but got no help. Police confirmed that a police report was filed, but said the wanted poster was never given to police. A spokesman invited the men to bring in the poster so that they could begin an investigation.
The TRO, obtained with help from the Legal Aid Service of Broward County, bars the resident from going within 500 feet of the men.
