I've never had any of those things happen to me in the DTES and I live there
I have had similar incidents happen on Granville near Georgia though but certainly not the norm. I find the population within the DTES much more timid then panhandlers outside the dtes.
Anyways back onto topic, it looks like Wildebeest will be opening soon at 122 W Hastings, it looks like most of the block is now leased.