Bad Optics and Backlash: Anti-Homeless Tactics That Only Make Things Worse

You only get one chance if you do this wrong

If you’re a small business owner dealing with camping or loitering, you’ve probably already called the police, tried waking someone up yourself, or just waited them out while your customers turned away. It’s frustrating and it’s infuriating. But frustration won’t protect you or your business. In today’s media environment, one bad decision can cost you your reputation and your livelihood.

This guide analyzes poorly chosen anti-homeless tactics that business owners have tried when trying to “solve” their loitering-camping problem and the lessons you can take from each one. If your goal is a safer, more professional storefront, then how you act in these critical moments matter.

Using Water as an Anti-Homeless Tactic: A Bad Idea!!!

The Spraying Incident Seen Across The Globe

Collier Gwin, San Francisco, 2023

It looked like he was spraying down garbage. The viral video of San Francisco art gallery owner Collier Gwin casually hosing down a homeless woman became national news within hours. He wasn’t shouting. He didn’t even look angry. That’s what made it so disturbing.

Gwin later claimed he’d been dealing with this woman camping near his storefront for weeks. But it didn’t matter. He offered no record of his calls to police, no police reports, no record of calls to social services. There was just a video of a privileged white man man, spraying water on a woman sitting on the ground.

He was arrested, charged with battery, got community service, and his name is now synonymous “Punching Down”. Google “Collier Gwin” and the first several pages are nothing but that incident. Whatever point he was trying to accomplish is lost. He became the story.

The Takeaway: If you act out of frustration, you don’t get to explain your side later. In Gwin’s case, this brief moment wrecked his reputation.

Using Noise as an Anti-Homeless Tactic: Risky

When Noise Backfires: Sonic Deterrents Gone Wrong

The Mosquito Device Disturbs More Than Just Teenagers

Originally marketed to deter teens from loitering, The Mosquito emits a high-pitched tone only audible to those under 25. In the U.K., its use sparked major backlash:

The Children’s Commissioner for England led a campaign calling it a “sonic weapon directed at children,” citing human rights violations including interference with freedom of assembly and protection from degrading treatment.
Reports emerged of young children thrown into distress, sometimes nauseous or physically hurt simply by passing nearby.

The Takeaway: Targeting a demographic with discomfort isn’t deterrence, it’s discrimination.

Chevron & Sleepless Neighbors

At a San Francisco Chevron, a high-frequency sonic device meant to deter loiterers keeps nearby residents awake at night.

16 complaints filed with 311 in less than a week.
Neighbors reported the squeal “goes through the glass,” waking them every couple of hours.
The station defended the measure as employee protection, but the community response was overwhelmingly negative.

The Takeaway: When your “solution” disrupts the neighborhood, that’s not a solution.

The Blue Chirper – Smart, but maybe too smart.

Invented by Santa Monica resident Stephen McMahon

The Blue Chirper is a motion-activated box that flashes a strobing blue light and emits intermittent “chirping” noises when triggered. The device has quickly been installed by businesses in West Hollywood, including several locations along Santa Monica Boulevard.

“It’s like an alarm from a smoke detector that you’re just waiting for somebody to turn off.”
While designed as a non-aggressive deterrent, it began drawing noise and nuisance complaints, prompting local businesses to remove the device amid public pressure.
West Hollywood’s Director of Community Safety, Danny Rivas, confirmed that the city is reviewing the devices after concerns were raised in the media.

The Takeaway: Even when devices are legal and intentions are good, public opinion can turn sour quickly.

Using Light as an Anti-Homeless Tactic: Better, if done carefully

When Cool Becomes Cruel

Flashing lights might feel modern, but to some, they’re more harmful than helpful.

A San Francisco business added strobing blue lights under its awning to prevent overnight stays — claiming it was “just ambient deterrence.”
Passersby reported headaches and disorientation; others flagged the impact on people with epilepsy, autism, or sensory sensitivities.
Code enforcement got involved after neighbors and local journalists began documenting the effect on video.

The Takeaway: Innovative doesn’t always mean effective. Solutions shouldn’t cause physical distress.

San Francisco homelessness war

Is a grocery store flashing lights to deter encampments?

The Foods Co. has three bright, flashing LED floodlights, where several homeless people had set up camp.
“It’s not much of a deterrent,” Bishop said. “No one gives a shit about them.”
“I don’t pay much attention,” said Pedro Rios, “Inside [my car], I don’t really see them.”

The Takeaway: Some locations are simply too large (and tempting) for a few lights to discourage camping or loitering. As a private business attempting to influence public property, they are taking a lot of risk of public backlash and code enforcement penalties for little to no result. Anti-Homeless tactics that are poorly thought out tend to be ineffective.

Logan Square Neighbors Begging City For Help

A developer installed bright lights an alley after his building got tagged, but has angered the neighbors.

The owner installed large LED lights around the property after it got tagged with graffiti. (A reasonable idea)
The light can be seen from inside bedrooms…and from over two blocks away.
The owner has dismissed their concerns and rebuffed their attempts to find a compromise, saying the lights are legal.
Neighbors are filing numerous complaints with the city, and are likely to ultimately prevail in the city. Then Bill Senne, the owner will be forced to take them down.

The Takeaway: Don’t be this guy!!! You want neighbors cooperating with you, not angry with you.

Whenever installing floodlights, follow the guidance from the International Dark-Sky Association and their Five Principles of Responsible Outdoor Lighting: 1. Clear Purpose, 2. Only where needed, 3. Appropriate to the task, 4. Connected to active controls (motion activated) 5. Warm in color.

Explore how defensive architecture shapes urban life through policy, design choices, and public perception.

The Costs and Harms of Homelessness – A learning brief that examines the multidimensional nature of the costs associated with homelessness.
Hostile Architecture or Responsible Space Management? – A more nuanced look at the six common arguments made about hostile architectural designs.

Tags: hostile architecture private spaces public spaces unwanted behavior