Español

Abstract

The austerity policies implemented in the country have demonstrated the incapacity and loss of commitment from the State towards its citizens, specially towards groups historically vulnerable. In the case of the homeless population, several times have been defined as the person that lacks a roof and basics needs. Nevertheless, the homeless population is the biggest expression of inequality, oppression, margination, exclusion, and breach of human rights. This population is one of the various groups that are blamed and criminalized for macrostructural conditions, but under a punitive vision the individual is blamed for his social, economic, racial status. Based on this vision, homeless people have been seen like "criminals" that must be "controlled and punished" like a way of social order and public security (Broken Windows, 1982).   Thus, in Puerto Rico Public Order Cods have been implanted as ways of control over the use of public spaces in the urban zones. Likewise, informal methods have been stablished like verbal violence, belongings disposal, among others; all this in repression of the presence of the homeless people. The following work is based in the research: Public Order: Experiences of the homeless people under the regulation of the Public Order Codes in the Río Piedras area, defended in May 2019 before the Honor Studies Program, UPRRP.