Thank you for reporting this issue to us via SeeClickFix St. Pete. We will forward the details you have provided to the appropriate City department so that they may investigate and take any necessary action. We appreciate your help! Sincerely, Mayor's Action Center

Today, Monday Oct 27, is the first time in 3 months the "hooded person" has not come into Fossil Park and stayed at the Pavilion! Something has his attention. Was there some type of situation that occurred after the officers walked thru the park? I am interested to know the outcome,and if he was confronted? Was he wanted for something illegal, and has the issue been resolved for the moment or for good?

(posted on behalf of Assistant Chief Luke Williams, SPPD)

Thank you for your SeeClickFix post dated October 25, 2014. The Mayor has asked me to respond directly to you regarding the homeless activity at Fossil Park. Fossil Park is a city owned park open to all residents and visitors of St. Petersburg. The park opens 30 minutes before sunrise and closes 30 minutes after sunset. I would encourage you to call the non-emergency line at 893-7780 to report trespassing during hours in which the park is not open.

As for the "hooded guy" who frequents the park every day, we will attempt to locate him and offer any services he may be in need of. However, homelessness is not a crime and does not prevent him from using the park during the hours in which it is open.

We encourage our officers to meet and greet all members of the community during their Park, Walk and Talk activity. We also work closely with the Parks and Recreation Staff at Fossil Park and we will continue to monitor the area for criminal activity while at the same time engage all visitors to the park. In the meantime, I would encourage you to call the non-emergency line at 893-7780 to report suspicious or criminal activity while it is occurring so that an officer can be dispatched to immediately resolve the issue. If you need further assistance, please feel free to contact Community Service Sergeant Borrelli at 892-5208. Thank you for bringing your concern to our attention.

Sincerely,

Luke C. Williams
Assistant Chief of Police
Uniform Services Bureau

The hooded guy is back and I do not wish to call the officer as I do not want to be identified. This guy is very "nervous acting." This morning I was taking photos of the park birds around 7:30 am and he heard camera shutter, although I was a good distance from him. He jumped up, pulled up his hood, and averted himself in another direction. He walked from bench to pavilion grill with his face turned away. This is not normal "homeless" reaction. Usually they couldn't care less about someone taking photos. Please send an officer out there to see what his situation involves.

This hooded guy is located on the library side of Fossil Park.

Thank you for your comment - we have forwarded it to the attention of the SPPD. The best advice was provided to Chief Williams above: call either the non-emergency number or the Community Service Officer directly so that they can respond in a more timely manner than if an issue is posted here.

Thank you for your follow up at the Mayor's Request. While I agree that Homelessness is not a Crime, it DOES lead to crimes! Another citizen posted about the continued use of Marijuana at the picnic table in the park. However, there was not a response to this post from the Mayors office.

Additionally the reference to Walk and Talk Activities that occur..... Do you mind sharing the last date this happened? There is not any regular police presence that anyone living in the area is aware of seeing?

I have spoken with many older neighbors that have lived around Fossil for years. They say the park is not maintained anywhere near the level it used to be. I have seen the photos and can attest to their documentation regarding this. Also they comment that police presence is never around. The Walk and Talks you are speaking of are not something that happen frequently or on any schedule that anyone residing near the park can remember seeing in years.

I would not think this is the impression that St Petersburg wishes for visitors to see or those newly moved to the area: folks sleeping on picnic tables, marijuana smoke wafting thru the air, and others spread out in sleeping bags until 9:30 am in the morning! The hooded guy is not difficult to notice or find and he is in fact in the park as I write and it is after sundown! The only day he was not present, and usually staying later at night was this past Monday

Again, why is it so difficult for your office to just set a regular round for this park after hours and then stick to it? The police presence will act as a deterrent to this type of activity if ALL INDIVIDUALS, Homeless or Not, begin to actually see officers at different times.

Waiting for some type of criminal activity to occur is NOT PROACTIVE and frankly should not be something a taxpayer should be expected to wait around until it occurs! There are enough innocent people being victimized at the expense of this type of attitude.For the amount of taxes homeowners (primarily) shoulder in this county, then these services should not be something "begged" for.

I appreciate the fact that you are stating your dept will monitor the area and engage citizens..... We will look forward to seeing that become a reality.

Update from the SPPD: "Sergeant Borrelli met with the gentleman who uses Fossil Park. He has been identified and checked for wants and warrants with negative results. Sergeant Borrelli also spoke with the Fossil Park Foreman, maintenance worker, and several residents who use the park on a daily basis. The overwhelming response is that the subject is harmless and that he keeps to himself while reading his books. Unless this subject is observed committing a criminal act, he is afforded the same right to use and enjoy the park as any other visitor or resident of St. Petersburg."

Thanks for fixing this issue!

I truly appreciate Sergeant Borrelli's investigation. Also glad to hear this man checked out with negative results. There are so many issues of homeless incidents going on in St Pete that are not good ones. I've had a neighbor that actually went to work and found a homeless man in the back of her car as she was about to pull out! She was totally shocked.

I have also seen a couple of police patrols in Fossil Park, since bringing this up and that is also appreciated. They are in uniform and recognizable. That helps to deter some of the acts of vandalism with the overturned park tables, logs, and other items of loitering well after dark.