The Street

I walked about the streets of old town Pasadena and I wanted to give street photography a shot. For my first time out, I failed. There were so many shots I could have taken, but I was afraid someone would chase me down and/or yell-at/kill me. So, needles to say, I was secretive. I got some good shots of people walking, children, and buildings, but what I really wanted to do was get shots of the hobos, but I was really afraid to do that. I know that  other photographers are able to get shots of strangers without their notice or have permission, but what I want to know is: how?
-Simply Complicated