Homeless Issues

[Eric Odum]

We have a small retail strip in Tampa.  It has been a real challenge because of the homeless.  It is actually in a decent area, close to Carrollwood, but it is also close enough to suit case city that the homeless can just walk to the property.  It has become a favorite stopping point, b/c there is a Dunkin Donuts on a shared outparcel.  They dumpster dive at night and get donuts and bagels out of the bin, bring them over to our strip center and have a party.  You can imagine the mess left there every morning.  They also intimidate the hell out of the tenants, most of which are office workers.  

Human security is very expensive and the size of the property does not warrant the cost.   Alarm companies are not allowed (by regulation, apparently) to put alarms on the outside.

I am thinking about getting a motion detector and install an outdoor speaker myself, with noxious noise.  If they come underneath the over hang, the noxious noise will start playing.

 We have tried everything...from asking them nicely, to calling the police (the police won't even come out any more for the homeless calls) and leaving a barking dog in a vacant space at night where they like to hang out (they just move away from the dog and find another cozy spot).  

Does anyone have any suggestions?  It is killing occupancy in the center.   

[Shane H.]

Could you find a more creative solution such as asking Dunkin Donuts if you could purchase their remaining donuts at the end of the day (at a steep discount of course) -- talk to a local shelter close by that maybe they could come pick up the donuts, take them there for the folks to eat, then talk to the people hanging out there late at night - let them know what you are doing?

I'd think this might be a cheaper solution and would avoid creating enemies and help some people in the process.  I'd think there would be a better way than trying to use "force" or intimidation tactics to get them to move on.  I'd think Dunkin would be glad to get rid of the inventory even at a steep discount, it would help them eliminate a mess and you at the same time...the cost to purchase the leftover food is probably way less than installing these extra security measures, not to mention the goodwill I'm sure you might receive in return.

Just a thought.