St. Augustine Citizens Against Panhandling

Vagrants have stolen the charm from our downtown area. The taxpayers of Saint Augustine and Saint Johns county are tired of stepping over sprawled and sleeping individuals concentrated in our already congested St. George Street. I fear that tourists will be the only shoppers downtown, locals are now avoiding the area.

I dont understand why controlling these folks is so hard. Isnt loitering and vagrancy against the law?

All the police need to do is keep them moving. Post no loitering signs and tell them move along. They will get tired of walking and go some where else also post signs not to give them money.

We recently had family visiting from WV. MY husband went to the public restrooms across from Crown and Bull and had a man approach him WHILE HE WAS AT THE URINAL asking for money!! The URINAL! Now, if that won't turn off a tourist, I don't know what will.

In 35 years of doing business in St. George streeet I never imagined my beloved city could become such a mess. We need new ordinances NOW! No one should be allowed to obstruct the flow of traffic by laying down in the street weather it’s is vehicular or pedestrian foot traffic. If a pedestrian trips over one of them or their items and gets hurt, who do you think they are going to sue? Additionally the rents downtown are astronomical and on the heels of two hurricanes our businesses have suffered enough, now we have another issue hurting our business. #savestgeorgestreet #ilovestgeorgestreet #stastrong

We had issues with homeless and drug addicts sneaking in our bathrooms and infecting them!!!

I often feel so uncomfortable due to the aggressiveness of some panhandlers, I avoid visiting St. George street despite the many wonderful shops and restaurants.

I work on the Plaza de la Constitution and have seen first hand the impact of pan handlers on local businesses and tourist's experiences in St Augustine.

I’m embarrassed to bring out of town guests downtown because of the panhandling that is out of control. And as much as I’d like to shop downtown, the negative shopping experience isn’t worth it.

The panhandler situation in Saint Augustine is out of control.

IT'S ABOUT TIME

I wanted to follow up with your comment. I appreciate you coming on here and discussing. Really that's what we are looking for. There are many of us who are on the streets every day dealing with this, researching, and working on answers. I can assure you that the creators of the petition understand clearly about the issue. We work at the homeless shelter, we are social workers, we are homeless ourselves. This issue that the city is facing downtown is not about the homeless. There are many homeless in Saint Augustine and unfortunately there will be for a long time. The people holding signs downtown are addicts. We have spoken to them and know them by name. There aren't so many that it's too hard. They all have stories they will tell. Then we watch them take money and go off and buy alcohol and drugs. In addition downtown you also have some mentally ill individuals. We all agree there needs to be more help offered to them, that isn't this particular issue however. This is specifically about the people who are lying to well meaning people to take their money and continue down their destructive path. Panhandlers and vagrants are not representative of the homeless. This is not about being poor. These people make good money. Most of them aren't from St. Augustine according to the city manager's poll. We are literally listed on squatting sites as a good place to come and live for free. People call the Saint Francis House and ask what kind of services they can get because they were told to come here. Let me give you an example. I was working with a homeless vet the other month. He was very upset because he and other homeless were being mocked for not panhandling. They were laughed at for trying to get back on their feet. One person in particular named "Surfer" was waving around stacks of money in their faces. Surfer is well known to the group. We have given him clothes, helped him get an ID, and given him a good job. He quit in one day. He sa

My daughter takes me to visit restaurants & stores in town & it’s sad to see pan-handlers disturbing customers & visitors(from around the country).POOR REPRESENTATION OF OUR HISTORIC TOWN !

The sooner the better.

We are all tired of this. I don’t want to see people urinating in public any more!

Don't let St. Augustine turn into San Francisco.

Take back Downtown St Augustine!

Clean up the Historic District

The aggressive panhandlers are ruing the experience of the historic district. Such a shame!

Leaders need to lead. This is a serious problem that CAN BE fixed if our elected politicians act decisively and in the best interest of the “normal “ citizens I this city. Other organizations should help the homeless beggars-not the city.