Homeless Man's Improvised Shelter

What caught my eye about this homeless man's attempt to construct a semi-permanent abode beneath a bridge in NW Washington DC were the hand written signs and other paraphenilia that I believe are meant to dissuade vandals from destroying the structure. Note the signs asking for "Mercy", and the display of the American flags. I would theorize that the flags are meant to "signal" to potential vandals that the occupant should be considered to be a patriotic citizen of the USA, rather than a terrorist sympathizer. Also, note the presence of a hat, placed to suggest that the structure is presently occupied. In fact, the "owner" was absent when this photograph was taken ,but he may have hoped that the sight of the hat would fool younger children, who might vandalize the structure if it was unoccupied, into believing that an occupant was present.

See "Statement by Photographer"