Thank you for your kind words guys. BTW that is her shadow on the wall.

Dennis. I did not imagine or assume what the police said to this lady. Given that I was standing across the street, it was early morning, and there were very few people about, I heard everything in the exchange.

No they didn't have the power to arrest her, only to tell her to move on because she was blocking a doorway to a business. And yes they could have been a little more compassionate, and she could have been a little less belligerent toward them. The argument escalated and both parties parted way finally when the police realized that I was not the only person now watching this argument.

Your photo is quite poignant and illustrates that there are still people in our country who have value even if they can't afford several thousands of dollars worth of photo equipment to pursue what, for most of us is just a hobby. Owned because its use gives us pleasure.

I doubt the police skulked away because they noticed there were witnesses to the incident, but more likely because the lady was moving on from blocking the doorway and there was no need for further discourse.

As an ex-cop, I know that there are police officers that are jerks and bullies, but our "Black lives Matter" and "no justice, no peace" oriented society seems to move a lot of people to paint them all with the same brush. Have as much compassion, please, for the neighborhood cop as for the homeless lady. All are humans with frailties and flaws.