This hits me personally. Without giving specifics, my developmentally disabled son takes public transportation to his job. There are blocks of time when he is walking to or waiting for the bus. He also rides the bus unassisted. In THIS county, I know he has been "looked after" by those who either drive those buses or some of those who utilize public transportation. There are some safeguards in place, like his employer would call if he didn't show up. He checks in as soon as he is home - so I would know if he is not there in the afternoon, etc.
However, this is the kind of thing that sits at the back of my mind and gives me nightmares when I dwell on it. I have to let him access the community as he is able to do, because it is essential to his well-being and independence. He has the right to be as independent as he can be. Just like you and me. Like I said, we have plans in place to help him in case of emergencies, but what if someone were to ambush him as he is making his way to or from his destinations? I can only HOPE and pray that he would be able to make a valiant effort to defend himself and fight back. But then, at what cost?
How dare these people take advantage of a person in their community who is one of their most vulnerable?!! I'm not even rational about this, and I can't even repeat the kind of punishment I think would be appropriate for these animals. Death isn't even really good enough.
YOU wanna see a hate crime? Someone perpetrating an act like this on my son. I would unleash the hounds of hell on them!