I do agree that the Owasso Bridge area of the bike path is a difficult place. Of the three places I have been verbally harassed on the path, all three were on the Bridge or within a half mile. Probably wouldn't be feasible to have the police on bikes patrol more, but it sure would make one feel safer.
We have a culture that has made it its economic policy to toss American poor to the wolves, or to the most extreme prisons. Now, without hope, there are millions living on the streets. If Lane County had a good public shelter, maybe there would be less desperation and more personal initiative. 
But, of course, the main culprit  is meth. As long as that evil floods the streets and the lives of people, we are going to have major dysfunctions. 
When I was living homeless in Eugene there was very little meth. 
Hugh Massengill, Eugene Oregon