Homeless People Arrive in St. Petersburg

 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) _ An increase in the number of homeless people in St. Petersburg is likely due to the arrival of colder temperatures up north.
 
 At least that’s what St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster says.

Foster told the Tampa Bay Times (http://bit.ly/X0fnZe ) the city hasn’t relaxed its policies on people sleeping on streets or panhandling.
 
 Foster says the recent surge of homeless isn’t unexpected as people seek warmer temperatures.
 
 But the arrival of more homeless people isn’t all negative.

Haitam Filali who owns the “Get It And Go Food Mart” says many of the homeless people frequently buy beer. But he doesn’t like it when they ask his customers for money.
 
 The St. Vincent’s de Paul Society has been full every night lately and serves 800 people daily.
 
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