Siesta Key businesses grapple with homeless presence

Although the topic wasn’t on the agenda, the Siesta Key Village Association spent much of its meeting Tuesday discussing a long-standing countywide issue: homelessness.

Michael Shay, a Siesta resident who surveys the commercial district on a walk each morning, brought up concerns about homeless individuals seeking refuge in the Siesta Key Village gazebo on Ocean Boulevard. He said the presence of homeless individuals could hurt Siesta Key’s image as a vacation destination.

According to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Department, it is not uncommon for deputies to make contact with homeless and transient people during patrols. Failing any actual criminal activity, law enforcement cannot respond to the mere presence of homeless people.

Anecdotally, SKVA President Mark Smith thinks the homeless presence on the Key has increased this summer. He believes the availability of showers on Siesta Key Beach, coupled with the proximity to food and crowds, makes Siesta Key Village inviting to homeless individuals.

“It’s more noticeable than it used to be,” Smith said. “I think the number of homeless in the village has increased in the last couple months.”

Sarasota continues to lack a comprehensive plan to address the regional homelessness issue as county and city officials remain divided on the ideal course of action. Both the city and county team with service providers to aid homeless individuals, but in the village, there are no official resources available for the homeless population.

“There are no services here for people who are in trouble,” Smith said.

SKVA has not taken an official position or advocated for any particular solution to issues related to homelessness, but representatives’ echoed the sentiments of mainland business owners.

“The panhandling makes people uncomfortable,” Smith said.

But while the complaints are plenty, the solutions are few.

“They’re not breaking any laws,” Smith said. “I’m not sure what you can really do about it.”