I've witnessed either the act or aftermath of several assaults on people living in homeless shelters, usually by other tenants, not to mention plenty of theft (

I've witnessed either the act or aftermath of several assaults on people living in homeless shelters, usually by other tenants, not to mention plenty of theft (one guy even took my CD wallet). Much of it was reported to staff but not one incident was reported to the police - it endangers the shelter's funding and upsets the residents. Homeless people are typically quite wary of law enforcement (if not due to prior harassment, then because "don't snitch" is firmly reinforced by their peers). I wouldn't trust any police stat relating to homeless people - the notion that police even care about these people when they more often than not see them as the problem is.. odd at best. I'm really not sure where you're getting this idea that shelters are such wonderful, warm, safe places.