What Sarasota Is Saying About Downtown Vagrants

Sarasota Patch commenters are passionate about the issue of downtown vagrants, panhandlers, the homeless and safety.

The Patch story ran Tuesday morning and by the end of Wednesday, 99 comments were posted. Many of which were reacting to

"I don't feel comfortable downtown anymore," Mayor Suzanne Atwell said at the City Commission meeting Monday night.

Here are some highlighted responses of what Patch users had to say:

"I had lunch with her a few weeks ago about the subject. As many know, I am just about everywhere on foot downtown every day/night. As a female that lives and LOVES downtown, and equally LOVES sending guests downtown (as oppose to the always busy St. Armands Circle), the homeless problem is completely out of hand. I have to say, I don't feel terribly threatened having lived outside of Detroit most of my life. It is, however, really uncomfortable, it could affect our tourism, and reflects poorly on our city. Something needs to be done.

I'm sure some have fallen on hard times, perhaps some are vets, it's very sad... no doubt about it, but this group needs to move elsewhere. The Main St/Library/5 Points area is a huge atrraction for guests and locals alike, and as far as tourists go, I hear plenty of concerns at the hotel. I have to assure them that I wouldn't send them anywhere I wouldn't feel safe going to myself. I had lunch near Central 2 weeks ago, and watched an officers do nothing while this screaming match was taking place in the park. There are a few that are known around town by name and are ignored by most. It's nice to see some selling flowers. But when there are 20+ gathering in the park and shouting across 1st to each other in what seems a drug-induced or drunken ramble, it's does not allow Sarasota to shine like some of us think she does.

Please, please, please, let's figure this out."

"Maybe instead of wasting time with laws and enforcements of them, these folks should look into halting the occasional high rise condominium, swank SRQ eatery or golf course and start putting the homeless into affordable or temporarily free housing. And also put a little effort into prioritizing job placements, making those that are steadily evaporating come back, in lieu of the city's generous paychecks. There's plenty that could be done to help folks in need if the time and concerns were given out as often as their fears and judgments.

"I suggest she take a ride out to my neighborhood and watch all the crack dealing and prostitution that goes on out in the open, almost with a police blessing. We pay taxes and vote as well, and we have much bigger problems than a couple of homeless people pissing in the bushes." 

"The only way to solve this problem is to have those who want jobs help them get them. The rest are burdens on the community and need to be cared for by either their families, close friends or a faith based organization (e.g. Churches, Goodwill, etc.). The government has created this problem - government is not the solution. The individual taking responsibility for for him/herself is the only answer. Unless and until the homeless want to work and live in a home we cannot help them. Subsidizing failure leads to more failure."

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"These people are not "bums." They are, in most cases, sick individuals who have fallen on hard times, and are unable to get help because, quite frankly, the help they need is not available. Some, few, are probably capable of doing something productive, but they are in a great minority. Also, in certain cases, their sickness makes them incapable of knowing or believing they need help. Their Self Awareness is lacking, often due to brain trauma. 

 
But should they be downtown? No. The city seems to be doing things that make it harder for the residents & visitors, in an effort to keep the homeless away. WOn't work. Until the existing laws are enforced, and an acceptable shelter is placed somewhere that they can get to, and are WILLING to get to, it won't end. 

 
I know several well-off people who live downtown & do not see the homeless as a problem. In fact, they give them money, or, very commonly, their Doggie Bags from the d'town restaurants. That needs to stop as well. They can get terrific meals in the shelter - maybe not a gourmet meal, but at least decent.