Another wrinke in the story. The shoeless man, now identified as Jeffrey Hillman, gave an interview to a New York paper-wearing the boots. Apparently someone tipped him off that showing up without them wouldn't help him. Flat out, he told the paper he liked living on the street and that going shoeless was his thing. He said he was amazed when the officer did what he did but...that changed nothing. As to the apartment, he doesn't use it much, just goes there to sleep, bath and sometimes eat. His brother confirmed all that and said his family had reached out to him many times but that, apparently, he "just liked to live on the street". No mention was made of his panhandling and just how much income that adds but police in several jurisdictions have reported seeing him and having contact with him over the past several years. I may be reading between the lines but, in reading the article, he resents having his cover blown as now contributions are going to dry up.
