My patrol area has a pretty large population of local year round homeless and transients who are just passing through. They bother the tourist with their aggressive panhandling and vehicle burglaries.
They damage property and tresspass when building their encampments.
They scare away customers from legitamite businesses.
They beat, stab, and rob eachother regularly.
I get a couple calls a day that are transient related.
Personally I cant stand them. Some agencies result to bum rides. Giving a bum a free "taxi" ride to another juristiction and a stern warning not to come back. But that is passing the buck at best and kidnapping at worst.
What I have found works best is to issue them citations for any violation, no matter how petty. It's all but a certainty that they will not show up in court or pay the fine. Then a Bench warrant is issued, allowing me to book them in the county jail 45 miles away. Hopefully upon their release, they will not trek the 45 mile back to my patrol area.
What have you guys found that works?