TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

St. Pete Limits Homeless

ADVERTISEMENT

By CARLOS MONCADA, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 26, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - Homeless people will have to abide by tougher restrictions on where they can sleep and keep their belongings in the downtown area.

The city council on Thursday unanimously approved an ordinance that bans anyone from sleeping, lying or reclining on sidewalks and other public rights of way during daylight hours.

The no-sleeping rule takes in most of the downtown area, from the waterfront to 16th Street and from Fifth Avenue North to Fifth Avenue South. In the Grand Central District along Central Avenue, the ban extends from 16th Street to 31st Street.

Another measure passed Thursday prohibits people from keeping their personal items outdoors on private and public property, such as the large piles of sleeping bags, bicycles, boxes and other belongings outside City Hall.

The restrictions take effect Feb. 1. City officials said they are needed to ensure the public's safety and welfare by eliminating recent encampments on sidewalks and other rights of way.

As part of what they called a public education effort, officials handed out fliers Friday informing homeless people about the ordinances and when enforcement would begin. Violators will receive warnings to move their belongings within 36 hours or the items will be seized.

The city has made arrangements with the St. Vincent de Paul shelter to store the confiscated personal property at the shelter, 401 15th St. N., for up to 30 days. If unclaimed, the items will be disposed of.

Reporter Carlos Moncada can be reached at (727) 451-2333 or cmoncada@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT