Officer Stephen Vangeli goes over reports before starting a day on the streets.
PINELLAS PARK – A homeless outreach team composed of a police officer and social worker that has been operating since last February has been termed a “major success” by city administrators.
The project is the latest of its kind in Pinellas County. One in St. Petersburg has been operational about two years and the sheriff’s office runs a similar project in Lealman.
Not only has the Pinellas Park duo been instrumental in helping street people get into rehabilitation centers and obtain medical and other care, but the influx of homeless along Park Boulevard and other areas of the city has decreased dramatically.
Former street people in some cases have cleaned up their act with the help of the Salvation Army and other organizations that offer rehabilitative training.
Police Chief Dorene Thomas said the city’s homeless population has decreased, especially along Park Boulevard between 66th Street and U.S. 19. That area has long been a habitat of homeless, due to the Suncoast Haven of Rest Rescue Mission and the day labor businesses that are located there.
Thomas said the Homeless Outreach Team, composed of Officer Stephen Vangeli and Sharon Nivens, a social worker with a background of assisting street people, patrol the city looking for people in need of assistance.
The team goes to day labor sites, street corners, alleys, campsites and other places where homeless people congregate. Based at Outside Labor Ready, 6328 Park Blvd., the team offers sources for shelter, food, medication and other services such as helping people obtain Florida identification cards and even Social Security and other government benefits.
Thomas said more than 5,000 homeless people live in Pinellas County. In Pinellas Park, she said, 28 of those contacted have been on the streets 10 or more years. Another 20 have lived outside between five and 10 years, 25 between two and five years and 49 two years or less.
“In some cases street people have been reunited with their families in other states,” Thomas said.
Some were issued bus tickets to Connecticut, New York and California where they were united with family members.
Thomas credits the Salvation Army at 5885 66th St. with improving the lives of some now-former street people.
The Salvation Army offers programs to fight drug and alcohol abuse, rehabilitative training, life skills training and other assistance.
Joseph Mottola, assistant administrator of the Salvation Army’s Suncoast Area Adult Rehabilitation Center, said the six-month program helps the homeless get back into society through a variety of self-help programs.
Capt. Michael Hayworth, patrol commander, said the outreach program is one of several within Pinellas County. The sheriff’s office has a team in Lealman and the pioneering program in St. Petersburg has done much to help street people there.
Vangeli and Nivens each have a history of working with street people. Vangeli, a former bicycle officer who got to know many homeless people over the years, is a veteran officer. Nivens has worked in the mental health field for 20 years.
Nivens believes, contrary to popular theory, no one wants to live on the streets. She said the team seeks out people who want help, assess their needs and point individuals in the right direction.
Mayor Bill Mischler and the City Council promised continued support for the program.
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