The Tallahassee animal shelter operates illegally and makes the neighborhood less safe

Re: “City Punishes Ministry Of Homelessness For Help In A Crisis,” August 16

Every story has three sides, as the saying goes: your side, my side and the truth.

In the case of the City Walk on Mahan Drive against the city of Tallahassee and its residents, “our side” is supported by the truth. Your opinion column is peppered with half-truths.

I just want to present facts – facts backed up by video recordings, police reports and pictures, not to mention the law.

City Walk opened temporary cold shelter in November 2020 to help homeless people in extreme weather conditions.

The concept was wonderful, but the location and management (or lack of it) were a nightmare for local residents and businesses alike. Evidence of public urination, defecation, copulation, property destruction and public poisoning has been presented to the city of Tallahassee, including local law enforcement agencies, in the area around the City Walk since it opened.

What began as an emergency shelter for extremely cold nights has deceptively been converted into temporary shelter for the homeless, including sex offenders. Everything secretly and without proper authorization. It continues to operate illegally.

City Walk also housed a woman who was later charged with an accomplice in murder and who recently died at the facility in June. This resident was only discovered when he smelled a foul odor – the rotting body. All of this is documented in the police report.

The city tried to do the right thing last year and to find adequate temporary shelter for the homeless during COVID when other shelters were closed. However, the city did not condone operation as a transitional housing facility – in a well-established neighborhood near a variety of schools – which clearly endangers the security of the area.

Of course, the city gave City Walk the necessary equipment and support when it was an emergency shelter. The keyword is “temporary”. City Walk continued to operate, however, and deviously changed its purpose after controversy.

City Walk states that the city did not try to find out. Not correct. The city tried to meet with City Walk. The city is trying to accommodate homeless people encountered by its employees in the appropriate facilities in order to receive the help they need.

City Walk says homelessness has doubled in Tallahassee. Again not true. The Big Bend Continuum of Care just conducted a survey and concluded that homelessness has remained constant at around 800 people. In 2015, Tallahassee Magazine reported about 800 homeless people.

The most recent column, written by one of City Walk’s attorneys, is misleading to sway public opinion against our neighborhoods, safety, and the public officials trying to get their jobs done. Tallahassee already has excellent facilities to help the homeless. Help with finding accommodation, drug abuse and mental illness is available.

City Walk seems to be a very contentious and aggressive organization that is constantly attacking people on social media who are not sticking to what they want. It even publicly advertises homeless people asking police officers to take them to their facility.

Since the illegal opening of the City Walk, police activity in the Mahan / Old Town district has increased significantly. Everything is documented in police reports. Children in the neighborhood are scared and no longer go to school. Some companies have hired additional security guards to protect their customers and property.

Tallahassee cares for the homeless. However, the city and its elected officials have a responsibility and duty to obey the law and protect its citizens.

City Walk’s heart may be in the right place, but its location isn’t.

Michelle Eubanks is a former commercial loan officer, former Leon County District Court mediator, community event project coordinator, and has lived in the Old Town neighborhood for more than 30 years.

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The post The Tallahassee animal shelter operates illegally and makes the neighborhood less safe first appeared on Daily Florida Press.

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