Seek advice on self defense against aggressive homeless people, both verbal and physical if needed

I have had a few situations now with rather aggressive homeless people or vagrants that has made me think that I need a self defense plan. It's strange, I've lived in NYC and have visited plenty of major cities and I have never worried about being mugged or needing to defend myself but some of these encounters with aggressive homeless have made me reconsider that.

First of all.. ignoring them does not really work, I've tried that and they get pissed and more aggressive and I feel like I need to watch my back.

My plan is that my first response will be ignoring them. If they get in my space and get more aggressive, I need an option for that, I suppose like "BACK OFF" or something along those lines.

Then finally, I need an option if they become physical. I suppose pepper spray or a bright tactical flashlight.

For those here who can handle themselves and travel in big cities where this is an issue. How do YOU deal with it?

Submitted May 22, 2020 at 03:52PM by SevereExcitement6 https://ift.tt/2ATDoxo