AUSTIN -- After a series of suspicious deaths involving men and women living on the streets of Austin, a group is arming them with protection in the form of whistles.
President of House the Homeless Richard Troxell is passing out 1,000 whistles at Caritas Austin on Monday. He is worried about people's safety after Austin saw three suspicious deaths involving homeless people since January.
"People need to know someone cares about them and we are sending that signal," Troxell said. "We want to protect people."
Troxell said there are 4,000 homeless people living in Austin and only 700 beds. He said safety is a concern until there are more safe places to sleep.
The thunder whistles are extremely loud. Troxell is urging people to use them if they are in danger or see someone else in trouble.
The latest suspicious death happened on July 25. That's when the body of 49-year-old William Roy Greer was found near the hike and bike trail with visible trauma to his body.
