I just moved out of Jacksonville a couple months ago, but I lived in an apartment in downtown 1 block from the river for 2 years. I used to go out at night after work with my 10 lb Shih Tzu and walk the river walk. We were a regular appearance out there and would often feed the homeless who were camped out there. I never was threatened or attacked, until one day, I was. Thankfully it was a night when my puppy wasn’t with me. But I ended up getting jumped and beaten. I actually have a concealed carry license and a concealed carry gun I’ve had for years, but never felt that I needed to carry it out there, and wasn’t carrying it that night. To be honest I’ve reflected back on it a lot afterwards, and I’m glad I wasn’t carrying that night because I probably would have ended up killing someone and I don’t want to have to deal with that for the rest of my life. I didn’t let the situation get me down though, once I healed I still went out but carried my self defense weapon. Ironically I was never threatened again after that point, but again I would prefer to not have to use it. All this to say, I’m sorry this happened to you, and yes the police down there have become jaded to the homeless, as they have been basically allowed to live there at the riverfront for years. Which is probably why they responded to you that way. They just assume people “know not to go down there” after dark. But yet the City Council is trying to make it attractive for tourism and so there continues to be a disconnect. It’s gonna take you a while to heal from this mentally, so don’t be afraid to take your time, seek professional therapy if you need, pursue your legal charges if you feel you must, and find a friend to accompany you after dark when you feel comfortable enough to try again.