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Sarasota News Leader December 7, 2012 Page 31 didate. "We have asked the Police Department "The public has described a lot of violations to help us." of the law," he said. "I live next to Gillespie Park," said Bill Hol- Sarasota police officers have come under fire land. "Over the past six months, I've seen an for alleged use of force on homeless people, increase in the number of transients and va- a point raised by Commissioner Willie Shaw. grants occupying the "I'm glad to see us bepicnic pavilion. It's come more sensitive caused casual users There is an influx of homeless to our diverse comand families to stop spending days in the park. They bring munity. The last three using the park. [The immense amounts of trash; we're just men beaten have been homeless] use the inundated with it. Caucasian, and now bushes for toilets; they it's an issue," he said. use loud, vulgar lanDale Orlando City Manager Tom BarSarasota resident guage and feel it necwin is forming a homeessary to yell at each less task force. other." "Lots of people want to participate," said May"On any day until 11 p.m. ,there are 12 to 30 or Suzanne Atwell. individuals occupying the park, monopolizing the park," said Charles Morris. "The locked Shaw added that he would like to see higher covers over electrical outlets are ripped off. education institutions involved in the process, There are drug sales and prostitution." including student members. Hours later, at the end of the meeting during Barwin said, "This task force will be action-orithe "Commissioner Comments" agenda item, ented. Our law enforcement folks could use the issue came up again. some additional help, especially for substance abuse and mental health. There were 30,000 "Gillespie Park deserves some kind of attenfree meals served last year, and 29,500 were tion," said Commissioner Paul Caragiulo. in the city. I've spoke with [Sarasota County Commissioner Terry Turner suggested the Administrator Randall] Reid to make this a city might want to install cameras in the park. larger effort. We'll be reaching out to those folks at Gillespie Park." % Old school journalism. 21st century delivery. For Advertising Info Sales@SarasotaNewsLeader.com (941) 227-1080