City considers carrot, and stick, for homeless
Storage and restrooms may be provided as a possible crackdown nears.
By CRISTINA SILVA, Times Staff Writer
Published January 23, 2008
ST. PETERSBURG - Homeless people in need of a place to store their belongings could get some relief soon.
City staffers are considering putting storage containers outside the Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul, two of the largest homeless shelters in St. Petersburg.
The proposal will be discussed at the City Council meeting Thursday, when city leaders will vote on one ordinance that would give police the power to seize private property left by homeless people on sidewalks and another that would forbid people from sleeping, lying down or even reclining in public in downtown St. Petersburg.
In recent weeks, business owners have complained about unsightly piles of clothing and other personal items left by homeless people throughout downtown. Some have also created a mound of belongings outside City Hall.
The ordinance would outlaw these piles, but homeless advocates argue that those living on the street have nowhere else to put their belongings.
The storage units represent a compromise, said Rhonda Abbott, the city's manager of social services.
"To me, that is a positive," she said. "This is about all our citizens and not just one population, and we are trying to strike a balance."
If the shelters allow the city to put storage units outside their facilities, the city would provide security personnel to guard the containers. Homeless people would potentially be able to bring or pick up items at certain times throughout the day, Abbott said.
The proposal, which could cost the city about $140,000, also calls for portable bathrooms to be made available outside the shelters, Abbott said.
Shelter directors said they would tentatively support the proposal.
"It sounds like it would be more convenient and more safe for the clients to store their belongings, whether they are staying on our property or if someone comes from downtown," said Rod Basehore, manager of homeless services for the Salvation Army. "But obviously this isn't going to store every belonging in the city."
Community leaders also gave the proposal an initial thumbs-up.
"As a businessman, it certainly sounds fair," said Michael Johnson, chairman of the city's homeless task force and the owner of the downtown gym Curves. "It answers a need and helps us clean up the city a little bit."
Cristina Silva can be reached at 727 893-8846 or csilva@sptimes.com.