Description
The city of St Petersburg needs to move all the homeless people out of Booker Creek Park on 13th Avenue N. just west of the interstate. It's a shame that we now have such a nice little park to take kids to or go for a walk near our Euclid St Paul neighborhood and certain areas have been taken over by an ever growing number of homeless people. They've moved from the covered pavillions on 13th to the area behind the old Ed White hospital. It's not just their presence but they have literally TRASHED that area with garbage and many of them look totally stoned. We, the tax paying citizens of St Pete can't even use the nice boardwalk and covered pavillion over the water because it has become a HOME FOR THE HOMELESS!! They even hang their laundry out on the railings out there. They should not be allowed to LIVE THERE!!!! Sleeping bags, trash, bodies sleeping on the ground. It's a disgrace! And forget about using the public toilets out there. They also double as showers for the homeless. Come on police. Get them to move on somewhere else. I won't even walk around that park by myself anymore, I feel that uncomfortable. I hate to see another park turn into a homeless hovel.
3 Comments
Acknowledged Mayor's Action Center 5 (Registered User)
This report has been forwarded to the Office of Veteran, Social & Homeless Services - information may be found on this page of the StPete.org website:
http://www.stpete.org/community/homelessness/
We work closely with various City departments and local social service providers to address issues faced by our homeless population, and we also work with neighborhood associations to address the concerns they have, as well. Our Police Department has a Street Outreach Team that actively canvasses areas where the activities of the homeless are noticed, and they will continue doing so to ensure the safety of all citizens. Please immediately report any criminal activity or safety concerns to the SPPD directly by calling 727-893-7780 if not an emergency, or 911 if an emergency. Thank you.
Veteran, Social and Homeless Services (Registered User)
Thank you for reporting this. I have asked our homeless street outreach team to go by this location to offer their assistance to anyone they find in need of help. If willing to accept help, our outreach team will get them connected to shelter, housing, meals, medical care, substance abuse treatment and other services they may be in need of. I also referred this to our Police Department and asked them to monitor this location at all hours of the day, including evening and early morning hours. Should they encounter anyone, they will also offer their help, including free transportation to shelter. We will continue to monitor this area to offer our assistance to anyone in need of help, as well as enforce local ordinances. Thank you again for reporting this to us.
Theresa Jones. Manager
Veterans, Homeless, and Social Services
Closed Customer Support (Verified Official)
Follow-up reminder from Homeless & Social Services: please continue to report homelessness issues directly to the St. Petersburg Police Department’s Street Outreach Team – their Police Assisting the Homeless (PATH) non-emergency voicemail can be reached at 727-551-3783. Additional details may be found here:
http://www.stpete.org/community/homelessness/street_outreach_team.php
As always, any illegal activity should be reported directly to the SPPD by calling 727-893-7780 (for non-emergencies) or 911 (for emergencies.)