Homeless hangouts throughout Bradenton encourage substance abuse

I have sent emails to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, sheriff’s spokesman Dave Bristow and the Bradenton police chief regarding homeless hangouts along Cortez Avenue between 26th and 59th streets. They briefly respond and run these substance abusers off.

On Dec. 9, we drove out of Walgreens at 59th Street and stopped at the light next to the Marathon station. There were three repeat homeless people sitting on the sidewalk with an open bottle of vodka, passing it around. The worst thing is a Manatee sheriff’s vehicle drove by and did nothing. Later the same day we saw 10 people all clustered at the same spot.

Police tell me that these are mostly substance abusers and not “down on their luck” people, and that too many people hand out money at curbside panhandling spots or feel sorry for them. I do sympathize with alcohol and drug addicts, but we do not need them in front of our homes, parks and retail establishments. Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Publix, Applebee’s, wooded complexes, office parks, gas stations, drive-through services and more need to file trespass complaints and get these people removed. There are too many “Help Wanted” signs that they could apply for but may not pass drug tests!

I agree that there is a huge opioid, alcohol, meth and cocaine problem, and that substance counseling is not working.

I encourage citizens to NOT donate to these people, do not allow them to hang out in your neighborhood and for retail to get them out. If you feel sorry for them, get them collected and placed in rehab until cured.

This story was originally published December 16, 2017 at 10:36 AM with the headline "Homeless hangouts throughout Bradenton encourage substance abuse."