So the city of St Pete is a 'Re-Active' town NOT a 'Pro-Active' town. My Dad use to tell me that "An Ounce of Prevention..." I guess there is no job security in that.

So tell me how this will work with the SPPD? I see this happening, I call, the PD, they have distinctive vehicles and arrive 6 to 10 minutes later. As they approach the perp walks away. Police report that no one is on the corner.

OR, I take photo or video. I call the SPPD. I wait 6 to 10 minutes (on a good day), I get out of my vehicle. I point out the person, I show them the video...

What is the ordinance # for panhandling? I will take a photo, make a call to police giving them the location and ordinance #, leave my info for court as a witness and then drive off.

And again on August 29th... Same intersection. 18th Ave South just East of 16th Street.

Thanks again for sharing your concerns about this matter. I've transmitted the concerns to Major Matthew McKinney, District Commander for the area, and Sgt. Brian Gainer who oversees the Community Service Officers for this location. The City's Panhandling law states the following: The ordinance prohibits panhandling in a number of locations throughout the
City such as sidewalk cafes, within 15 feet of an ATM or bank entrance, at bus stops, at the bus transfer facility on Central Avenue, on public transportation vehicles, and on private property (unless the property owner has given permission). The ordinance also prohibits aggressive panhandling anywhere in the City and prohibits panhandling between sunset and sunrise each day. Our police officers are trying to address the issue within the parameters of the law.

Theresa Jones, Manager
Veterans, Homeless and Social Services

Well the bus stop is on the corner and the US Postal Service has that property so I don't think they gave permission. ALSO... Here is the best part; IF the solicitors do not get something from the drivers heading North on 16th Street South (they look at the vehicles turn signal) When the light turns Green and traffic moves... the Solicitors walk 'Slowly' across 16th Street delaying traffic and sometimes vehicles that are only 3 or 4 cars back, will get a Red Light. Kind of vindictive. I would post a video but they are usually to large for this medium. I will see what I can do in the future. To the Police... Be Safe Out There.

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.)

Thanks for fixing this request!