I heard the possible reason for them hanging at this location is access to bathroom in laundromat and also grocery store has safe paraphernalia available to them (ie pipes, needles, swabs, etc). The nearby non-profit services really need better options for the homelessness in the area. I've lived here for 4 years, see the same homeless people and it's not getting better. These people clearly want to be homeless. I can say this because when I moved to this area I was almost homeless, no job, and had just finished chemo from brain cancer. I utilized all the great services in the area to my benefit.

The homeless hang out at the old bingo hall at the corner of 16th St. N. and 20th Ave. N. nearly every morning waiting for the drug dealers to appear. They get their fix and hang out in the alley behind the convenience store, the laundry mat and the upper staircase of the old bingo hall. they are out of control. I pull into the alley behind the convenience store and nearly daily witness someone peeing against the side of a building, I have seen a sex act occurring between one of the gentlemen and a long haired blonde. The problem was easing, but recently it has become much worse. We are trying very hard to improve the neighborhood. Would the Police be willing to swing through through a few times per day? Please...we need relief.

Everyone needs to call the police officer assigned to the neighborhood. I've called him before about the homeless in the alley, people speeding through alleys and speeding on 22nd Ave. N. He is very nice and was responsive to my issues. The more neighbors report will help.

This issue has been received by our 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.

The City of St Petersburg periodically reviews past reports that are made from citizens within our city limits, and in an effort to clean-up old issues that were resolved some time ago, we are marking as 'closed' those issues that were submitted in the past for which the work has been completed or the issue has otherwise been resolved.

If you think for any reason that the issue you submitted in the past might still be unresolved, please feel free to submit a new report with the SeeClickFix St. Pete website and we will make sure the issue is directed to the appropriate City department to be addressed as soon as possible.

Thank you - MAC