Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/215277
Sarasota News Leader November 22, 2013 Page 19 weeks before the opening of these new facilities," Marbut recommends in the report. These teams would include law enforcement officers and social service workers; their job would be to persuade homeless people to enter either the family portal or the shelter for men and women. pharmacy services; mental health and addictive disorders and substance abuse services; job placement services, including job skills training; hygiene services, including haircuts (to be presentable for job interviews); overnight sleeping quarters; and a commercial kitchen. "Street outreach teams will be critical to the success of the overall system," Marbut wrote. "The best HOTs pair a social service worker with a police officer. Additionally, every LEO [law enforcement official] in the County should go through an appropriate level of homeless engagement and sensitivity training." The shelter would also include veterans' services, a clothing closet, a donation center, administrative services, security and volunteer coordination. Meals should be coordinated with delivery and prep from non-profits and church groups, he recommends. Wayne Applebee is the county employee who will be charged with implementing Marbut's plan after the consultant leaves. If community leaders agree on a shelter, Applebee will work to make sure that goal is achieved. The News Leader was unable to reach Applebee before deadline to seek his comments on the draft report. "A robust "buffer" around the Sarasota Safe Harbor needs to be developed. A physical fencing barrier needs to line Sarasota Safe Harbor. If possible, foliage or other screening should be integrated within the fencing system to create a visually aesthetic barrier. Additionally, the structures within Sarasota Safe Harbor need to be laid out in such away as to create positive ergonomic flow and defensible space." A 24/7 SHELTER Although Marbut suggests the Sheriff's Office should run the new shelter, the County and City commissions would formally have to request that the office be the lead agency at Sarasota Safe Harbor. A range of services should be included within the Sarasota Safe Harbor, Marbut suggests. With some full-time and others part-time, they would include engagement through the Homeless Outreach Teams; medical and Marbut notes that Sarasota Safe Harbor must be a "good neighbor": Marbut suggests another important factor that could alleviate the concerns of some residents near the eventual site for a shelter — if city and county officials agree to build one: "For safety reasons, the queuing for intake must occur inside of Sarasota Safe Harbor and not on the street." City Editor Stan Zimmerman contributed to this report. % SarasotaNewsLeader.com