A social media personality is facing widespread criticism after posting videos of himself distributing machetes and alcohol to homeless individuals in cities across the United States.
The content creator says he has no plans to stop and intends to expand his activities to additional cities nationwide.
Keith Castillo operates under the username “povwolfy” on social media platforms.
He has posted content from Austin, New Orleans, and Little Rock in recent weeks showing his distribution of 18-inch stainless-steel machetes alongside liquor bottles to people experiencing homelessness.
One video Castillo posted on Thanksgiving generated more than 14 million views across multiple platforms.
The footage shows him approaching a man on the street and offering him a packaged machete.
The individual responds affirmatively to the offer.
The caption accompanying the viral post stated, “Keeping the homeless in the streets.”
The video sparked immediate reaction from viewers who questioned the safety and intent behind the distributions.
Castillo has revealed he acquired the Gordon-brand machetes in bulk quantities from Harbor Freight.
Each blade cost him under five dollars. He maintains an inventory of approximately 30 machetes in his vehicle at any given time.
Additional videos posted to his accounts show Castillo distributing unwrapped machetes.
He also hands out handles of vodka and miniature bottles of Fireball whisky to recipients.
He films content in each city for several days before moving to a new location.
The 29-year-old told the New York Post he has mapped out future stops for what he describes as a tour. New York City, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles are among the cities he plans to visit. He stated he expects to arrive in New York City in January.
Castillo indicated he intends to continue the same pattern of distributions in upcoming cities.
“I should be in New York in January,” he said, adding he plans to hand out “a bunch of machetes and fireballs there, too.”
Law enforcement agencies have not provided official statements regarding the legality of Castillo’s activities.
Castillo has claimed police officers told him he was not violating any laws by distributing the weapons to homeless individuals.
Joseph Giacalone, a retired NYPD sergeant who now serves as a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, offered his assessment of the situation.
He described the combination as dangerous. “That sounds like a cocktail for disaster — alcohol and machetes. Could we get any dumber?” Giacalone told the Post..
Giacalone noted that possessing a machete is typically not illegal. However, he emphasized that combining alcohol distribution with weapon distribution creates obvious public safety concerns.
Social media users reacted strongly to Castillo’s videos.
Many commenters argued the stunt increases the risk of violence rather than helping vulnerable populations. One user wrote, “Keeping them safe [no], making them dangerous [yes].”
Castillo addressed concerns about potentially enabling substance abuse or facilitating violence.
He stated the items were intended for “tool purposes.”
He acknowledged his primary motivation centers on generating online engagement metrics.
“Honestly I really don’t care bro, it’s good for the clicks and views,” Castillo said in response to criticism.
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