Homeless presence at Silver Palm Park, Boca Raton, FL. (Photo: Boca Daily News)
Boca Raton’s police department recorded 715 homeless-related calls for service through June 30 of this year, as the city prepares to roll out enforcement of a new trespassing ordinance and hire more police officers and civilians to tackle the issue city-wide.
The 715 calls to police were mated with 767 contacts, 815 engagements, 172 services provided, 106 follow-up actions and 30 program outcomes, data from the department presented to the city council last week said. The calls largely centered on public safety and comfort in public spaces, effects on downtown businesses and their customers and employees, misuse of public facilities, cleanliness issues, and demands for recurring activity at specific locations…