I'm sorry but I have a little trouble building up a good anger about homeless people being hurt to the total of 140 assaults a year when we have kids who are getting shot in school every day.

Homeless is a broad term.  There are homeless and then there are street people.  Homeless generally are only on the street for an average of 30-60 days and are out of a home because of some sort of financial tragedy.  The people this story focuses on are really street people.   Street people are a mix of the mentally ill, substance abusers, and people who choose to live on the fringe of society. 

Many of these people make a living hustling change, panhandling agressively, and telling made up stories to get you to part with a dollar.  Want proof check out www.street-people.com.  Do I think it is right to assault anyone?  No, but this is so far down the list of what is wrong with this country that ABC news must be out of ideas to make up something that impacts such a small group of people.