Officers report on speed study results and address the homeless situation.
“We want to listen to any concerns you have and see what we can do to rectify them and get them fixed,” PCPD Captain Ward said when opening the meeting on June 19 at the Police Center.
“Thank you for being here,” Deputy Chief Duralia added. “We can’t be effective without input and community involvement.”
In response to resident concerns expressed at the previous meeting, Ward went over PCPD findings. PCPD did a 41-day speed study of Coronet Street. The study broke down speed, direction, and time of passing vehicles. This gave PCPD the data they needed to deploy CRA officers efficiently to set up to cite speeders. In addition, because of similar complaints in North Park Isle, the department placed equipment there for a speed study. The speeding in that area proved to be worse than Coronet. So officers also set up with radar there and issued several citations.
The meeting proceeded to other issues. “I just want to congratulate you guys, Doug Hurst said. “I see on Facebook you are fighting the hard battle out there with the drugs, and that you seem to be making headway—a lot of these drifters on bikes I don’t see any more. So, I think you are doing a wonderful job. Thank you.”
“That is because they have moved to my neighborhood,” a woman quickly spoke up. “I live in the downtown district close to city hall, and I can tell you there are unhoused individuals constantly walking up and down….I live in an area where it is unsafe for me to walk at night.” According to her, in downtown, as early as 8:00 p.m., she sees people sleeping in alleys and in front of the businesses. She requested PCPD provide her with a safe route for walking in the evening. She also mentioned she does not feel safe walking near Rowena Mays Park because of the unhoused people who gather there. PCPD officers were unable to define a route because of the continual movement of people who could be bad actors. “We run the unhoused individuals out of Doug’s neighborhood, take them to jail—we do everything we can,” Ward said. But they get out of jail, they come back, they find somewhere else. It is a never-ending cycle. A big issue with the homeless in Plant City is people giving them food and money.”
“There are also organizations here in Plant City that are well-intentioned, but they are doing what Captain Ward described, but on a larger scale—giving out food, doing their laundry for them,” Duralia said. “There are a lot of services that are being provided that attract a lot of homeless people to the area.”
“The word has gotten out that Plant City feeds the unhoused,” Officer Gregory added. This draws homeless people to come from nowhere near Plant City to stay in the community. PCPD is working with these organizations to change how they operate to reduce this unintended consequence.
PCPD recommended citizens call the department to inform them when they see suspicious people, or when items are stolen. Officers will come by to look into the situation. Officers made the point that society has changed. These problems are everywhere, and the days of leaving car doors or house doors unlocked are over. PCPD Lieutenant Tester recommended cameras for security and to record evidence to prosecute lawbreaking.
