St. Pete debates downtown 'Clean and Safe' program as calls for police, safety services surge
St. Pete city leaders are debating a new Clean and Safe Program for downtown.
Residents, business owners, and city council members are weighing in on funding, homelessness, and safety concerns.
The proposal will head to a full council workshop for further debate.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - St. Petersburg city leaders are taking a closer look at a proposal that would bring extra cleaning crews, safety ambassadors, and homeless outreach to the downtown core.
New questions are surfacing, though, about funding, priorities, and how best to serve vulnerable populations living on the streets.
What we know
The Clean and Safe Program would launch as a pilot focused on Beach Drive, Central Avenue, Williams Park, and surrounding areas.
READ: City of St. Petersburg to launch yearlong planning effort for rapidly growing District 2
During the city's Public Services & Infrastructure Committee meeting on Thursday, city staff said the program would supplement existing city services by adding daily sanitation, graffiti removal, power washing, and increased visibility downtown.
"As our downtown continues to grow in popularity," District 6 councilwoman Gina Driscoll told the committee, "it's time for us to make some adjustments in the way that our day-to-day operations happen in the city to meet those needs that come with today's popularity."
The push for additional safety downtown comes less than three weeks after a deadly stabbing outside a popular downtown restaurant. Police say a man behaving erratically was involved in a violent confrontation that ended with him being stabbed and killed. No charges have been filed at this time.
By the numbers
Police calls for service downtown have more than doubled over the past two years. According to city data, the number of calls rose from about 5,600 in 2023 to over 12,000 in 2024. If current trends continue, calls could top 20,000 this year.
What we don't know
While there's broad agreement that downtown St. Pete is seeing more people, more activity, and more strain on services, council members were divided on how to pay for the proposed program and whether homeless outreach should be part of the first phase.
"I want to make sure the center of the conversation is our unhoused population," said Corey Givens Jr., who represents the city's 7th district. "Granted, we want to support businesses and keep downtown clean, but we also want to make sure that we are providing those transitional living services to our unhoused population."
The initial version of the proposal included homeless outreach as a second phase, but multiple council members pushed back, calling for those services to be front and center.
"If we don't have a real conversation about that, we're completely missing the mark," councilwoman Brandi Gabbard told the committee.
READ: USPS warning customers of 'brushing' scams
Dig deeper
The Downtown Partnership outlined several possible funding sources, including:
A special district assessment on downtown property owners.
Expanded parking meter revenue from nearby districts.
Potential renegotiation of CRA funds with the county.
Private donations or sponsorships.
City administrators said their preference would be for downtown property owners to fund the program directly.
"The challenge we have in St. Pete is that the bulk of the property in our downtown area is residential, which is a good thing," explained Jason Mathis, CEO of the Downtown Partnership, "but it also means that you have a very limited amount of commercial property to generate these funds."
Several council members expressed concern about creating inequities by diverting citywide tax dollars into one neighborhood.
Click to open this PDF in a new window.
Follow FOX 13 on YouTube
The Source
This article is based on public discussions during the June 12 Public Services and Infrastructure Committee meeting, city council transcripts, city-provided data, police information, and previous FOX 13 reporting. Quotes are taken directly from council members, administrators, and members of the Downtown Partnership who participated in the public meeting.
STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA:
Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV
Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android
Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines
Download the SkyTower Radar app
Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Former USPS worker pleads guilty to stealing credit cards, checks from the mail — how to protect yourself
Mary Ann Magdamit, a 31-year-old former employee of the United States Postal Service (USPS), recently pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud after allegedly stealing checks and credit cards from the mail and using the proceeds to purchase luxury goods. The former letter carrier faces 30 years in prison after investigators reportedly found stolen bank cards and checks at her apartment in Carson, California. Don't miss Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it The case highlights the ongoing concerns about mail theft and employee integrity within the postal system, particularly as recent reports highlight a worsening problem at USPS. A three-year operation According to Magdamit's plea agreement, her mail theft operation at the Torrance Post Office in California reportedly spanned three years from 2022 to 2025. During this period, Magdamit employed multiple strategies to profit from the mail she allegedly stole, which contained personal identification information, credit and debit cards, as well as checks. She then reportedly monetized these items by using the stolen bank cards to make purchases, distributing cards to co-conspirators and selling stolen bank cards online. But the scheme extended beyond simple bank card theft. Magdamit also orchestrated a check-cashing operation, arranging for accomplices to cash stolen checks using counterfeit identity documents that matched the names of the legitimate check recipients. This included one check that totaled more than $45,000. Magdamit was finally arrested on July 1 2025, at which time she was reportedly still making purchases with stolen cards. She remains in custody as she awaits her sentencing. Read more: Nervous about the stock market? Gain potential quarterly income through this $1B private real estate fund — even if you're not a millionaire. Crime spree documented on social media In December 2024, authorities executed a search warrant at Magdamit's apartment and found substantial evidence: more than 130 stolen debit and credit cards, 16 Department of Treasury checks, as well as a loaded, unserialized Glock clone which was described as a "ghost gun," a type of homemade firearm that is considered untraceable. The search also uncovered numerous luxury goods allegedly purchased with the stolen cards and checks. Magdamit used the stolen items to fund an extravagant lifestyle, which also included international vacations to Aruba and Turks and Caicos. According to the investigation, Magdamit frequently boasted about her criminal lifestyle on Instagram, where she posted images of luxury items, stacks of cash and other incriminating evidence. Security camera footage from stores such as Apple also captured Magdamit purchasing items with the stolen cards and checks. As part of her plea arrangement, Magdamit has agreed to forfeit certain luxury items, including a Rolex watch, according to the Department of Justice. Mail theft is a growing problem at USPS A 2024 report by the Office of the Inspector General of the USPS found that closed internal theft cases at the postal service have increased by 47% since 2019. All told, investigators identified 5,961 closed cases of internal mail theft in that five-year period. 'As bad as you think it is, it's much worse! I mean, it's bad!' Frank Albergo, president of the Postal Police Officers Association, told NBC 7 San Diego. 'You have criminal organizations, gangs, that are actually recruiting people to get a job in the postal service so they can rob mail and drain bank accounts,' he added. 'That's literally what's happening.' Fortunately, there are a few practical steps regular Americans can take to help safeguard their mail and reduce the risk of theft: Secure your mail: Consider using a P.O. Box to increase security, and always retrieve your mail promptly to avoid leaving items unmonitored overnight. Deposit any outgoing mail directly at the post office instead of using collection boxes, and consider mail forwarding or holds when traveling to prevent accumulation. Avoid sending vulnerable items: Don't send cash through the mail system. Use checks or electronic payments instead to help trace any theft or fraud. Be proactive: Use tracking and signature confirmation for important or valuable items, and set up electronic notifications for bills and banking to quickly detect missing mail. You can also monitor your financial statements regularly for unauthorized transactions that might indicate stolen mail. If you suspect your letter or package has been stolen, you can file a report on the USPS Inspection Service's website or by calling 1-877-876-2455. What to read next Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Here are 5 simple ways to grow rich with real estate if you don't want to play landlord. And you can even start with as little as $10 Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Business Wire
04-08-2025
- Business Wire
Attorney Amy Witherite Calls for Urgent Postal Service Reform After Deadly Kaufman County Crash
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Following a deadly crash in Kaufman County involving a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) contract truck that killed five people — including four members of one Texas family — Dallas attorney and nationally recognized traffic safety advocate Amy Witherite is demanding immediate federal reforms. 'Enough is enough. The Postal Service's pattern of negligence is costing lives,' said Amy Witherite, founding attorney of Witherite Law Group. 'We now know that from 2018 to 2022, 89 people died in 373 crashes involving USPS contractors. Not once did the Postal Service cancel a contract over those fatalities. That's unconscionable.' The Kaufman County crash, which occurred when a mail-hauling truck veered into oncoming traffic, has drawn national attention. The driver — who later admitted he had fallen asleep at the wheel — was alone on a long-haul route that, according to USPS policy, should have had two drivers. USPS has since claimed it is not responsible for verifying whether its safety protocols were followed. 'That response defies common sense and public trust,' said Witherite. 'When federal contractors ignore rules designed to protect lives, and no one is held accountable, families suffer. This wasn't a fluke. This was the predictable result of a broken system.' A February 2024 audit by the USPS Office of Inspector General found that the Postal Service does not track fatalities involving its contractors, lacks a centralized database of crash records, and has no system in place to ensure that required safety protocols are followed. 'USPS often doesn't even know who is driving its mail,' Witherite added. 'They're spending $5.2 billion on 4,600 trucking contracts — and yet they can't tell you if the people operating those trucks are following the law. It's not just bad oversight. It's deadly.' Witherite is urging Congress to act by passing the Mail Traffic Deaths Reporting Act, which has already passed the House with bipartisan support but is stalled in the Senate. She is also calling for: Mandatory third-party verification of safety practices on contract routes A public database of contractor crash histories and safety violations Permanent disqualification of repeat offenders, such as Hope Trans Accountability for brokers who profit from unsafe practices 'USPS trucks travel through our communities, past our schools, and alongside our families,' said Witherite. 'Texans shouldn't have to wait for another tragedy to demand action. The Kaufman County crash was a failure of federal responsibility — and unless we act now, it won't be the last.' Amy Witherite is the founding attorney of Witherite Law Group and a nationally recognized traffic safety advocate. She has represented hundreds of families affected by trucking collisions. Call 1 800 Truck Wreck or visit to learn more.
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Yahoo
A Mail Carrier Was Caught on Camera Pepper-Spraying an Elderly Cat. When the Owner Confronted Him, He ‘Denied It'
The USPS employee swore at the cat multiple times before spraying it and leaving the scene, home security footage showsNEED TO KNOW A USPS mail carrier sprayed an elderly cat with what appeared to be pepper spray in California on July 28, and the incident was caught on camera After the owner confronted the mail carrier, he "denied" spraying the cat USPS is now investigating the incidentA mail carrier was caught on camera spraying an elderly cat with what appeared to be pepper spray — but he denied it. The carrier, a United States Postal Service (USPS) employee, was delivering mail in Rancho Cordova, Calif., on the evening of Monday, July 28, when Chris Commander's cat Xena was sitting outside of his home, as she often does, according to The Sacramento Bee. What the carrier did next shocked Commander, 35, to his core. Rather than pet the 15-year-old feline, as other postal carriers typically do, the man appeared to spray Xena with pepper spray — and the entire incident was caught on camera, with Commander watching live, according to the newspaper. The mail carrier backed away from the tortoiseshell cat, who was standing next to the pathway that leads up to the front door, and said, 'Get the f--- out of here,' the footage, obtained by The Sacramento Bee, shows. Then, despite no reaction from Xena, who was completely motionless, the carrier grabbed a spray bottle from his bag and proceeded to spray liquid at the cat. Xena then scurried across the pathway and away from the carrier, as he repeated, 'Get the f--- out of here,' and began to approach the door. He decided against it, however, instead leaving without dropping off the mail. (He left it on the hood of a car, Commander told The Sacramento Bee.) As the incident unfolded around 7 p.m. local time, Commander — an owner of two dogs and four cats — was sitting in his living room when he heard one of his dogs barking near his front door, he recalled to The Sacramento Bee. Curious, he decided to look at his Ring doorbell camera livestream, and proceeded to witness the mail carrier spray his oldest cat, seemingly unprovoked. The Rancho Cordova resident told the newspaper that he immediately got up to confront the USPS carrier, who was already in his vehicle. Despite evidence to the contrary, he denied spraying the cat. 'I asked him directly, 'Did you spray my cat?' He denied it. And then he said something about he's a cat lover himself,' Commander told The Sacramento Bee. Upon returning home, the proud pet owner found Xena covered in what he described to the newspaper as an oily, strong-smelling substance. He was worried that the spraying may have left the elderly cat with respiratory problems, particularly given her age, but she appeared unscathed and 'in good spirits,' he said. 'I didn't know I had to be worried about this,' Commander told The Sacramento Bee. 'I just can't understand how this even happened, to be honest.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. After his confrontation was met with denial, the concerned pet owner submitted a formal complaint to USPS. The institution is aware of the incident, which USPS spokesperson Meiko S. Patton said is currently under review in a statement obtained by The Sacramento Bee. 'The United States Postal Service holds its employees to high standards of conduct, and any actions that conflict with these values are taken seriously. We are currently reviewing this incident and will take appropriate action based on the results to ensure alignment with our commitment to integrity and professionalism," Patton said. While Xena is okay, her owner still wants answers. "I don't see why you'd spray a cat that just wanted to be pet," Commander told CBS News Sacramento. "It was just frustrating,' the owner added, 'and kind of sad to see that." Read the original article on People Solve the daily Crossword
