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City, Suncoast Haven come to an agreement
By THOMAS MICHALSKI
Article published on Friday, Jan. 26, 2007
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![[Image]](/content_images/012607_par-01.jpg) |
| Photo by THOMAS MICHALSKI |
| Two men pack the trunk of a car after receiving free food packages from the Suncoast Haven of Rest Rescue Mission. |
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PINELLAS PARK – City officials and the Suncoast Haven of Rest Rescue Mission have come to an agreement over zoning infractions and problems with homeless people on Park Boulevard.
The pact means that the mission can continue its operations at 5625 Park Blvd., but will serve box lunches at the city’s four day labor businesses rather than at the shelter itself.
The city also will help the mission in its search for larger quarters to meet the needs of the city’s growing homeless population.
The police department also will soon launch its new program of teaming a police officer and a social worker to guide street people toward government and civil agencies for medical and other assistance.
The Rev. Lionel Cabral, executive director of the 19-year-old mission, said he was pleased that the city will help find a larger facility for the homeless mission to allow for the expansion of present services and the addition of new programs such as temporary housing.
“We are happy with the cooperation we are getting from Pinellas Park,” the Rev. Cabral said. “In spite of the difficulties we have had I believe that the city cares about the people we serve.”
City Manager Michael Gustafson, who helped broker the agreement, said, “Pinellas Park is committed to being part of the solution when it comes to homeless issues.”
“We are all in this together,” Gustafson said. “The city’s planning division will help identify possible sites and funding opportunities through available grants.”
The agreement allows the Haven of Rest to provide restroom, shower, ministerial and food collection services. Bulk food for financially strapped families still will be offered at the mission.
The facility will discontinue serving daily meals on the premises, but most likely will do so once a new location is found.
The controversy came to a head last spring when Park Boulevard business owners began complaining to city officials about the influx of street people, especially between 66th Street and U.S. 19. Merchants alleged that homeless people were defecating and sleeping in doorways and threatening customers and pedestrians. Street people using bathroom facilities at local businesses resulted in the City Council approving a measure calling for the four day labor shops to provide and advertise sanitary facilities.
As citizen and business complaints piled up, the city warned the mission that it was in violation of zoning laws by not providing adequate parking facilities.
The mission stopped serving meals and later the compromise was hammered out.
Many of the problems associated with the large number of street people in the area have diminished since the meals ended at the mission.
“We are confident that we will be able to continue providing nourishing meals and food items to those in need,” the Rev. Cabral said.
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Article published on Friday, Jan. 26, 2007
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