Has anyone noticed the increase in the transient population over the last year? I know of several burguleries in the area that have been both reported and not reported. There are several abandoned houses on Amelia and on other streets within the heights that have been targeted by this population and are litterally being torn apart before our eyes. Just this past weekend 212 Amelia was broken into...in the process of the break in...the antique door was smashed to bits...as someone that is in the process of restoring a house...I know how much that is going to cost...it makes me sick.
Is there something we can do?...I have called Patty Sheehan's office...and while they have been very nice...I don't get the feeling that anything is going to be done. This particular population of people is being drawn to this area by the free feedings that are taking place in and around Lake Eola. While this may seem humane to some...it does nothing to solve the underlying reason for why these people are homeless...in fact it keeps them homeless. The city needs to enforce the laws that are on the books concerning mass feedings in public parks and provide some services that will get these people off of the streets and into shelters and halfway houses...and give them medications for their mental illnesses and help them with their addictions.
