Police Clarify Trespass Policy For Businesses Around Homeless Shelter

(KNSI) — Despite the Lincoln Center homeless shelter operators withdrawing their proposal to expand, the issue was still at center stage at Monday’s St. Cloud City Council meeting.

Council Member George Hontos asked several questions, including demanding clarification on complaints from businesses over accusations that police are no longer responding to trespass complaints. Police Chief Blair Anderson says a letter was sent to every business around the Lincoln Center outlining the city’s trespass policy.

“If you have someone on your property that you don’t want them there, ask them to leave, 99% of the time when that happens, the person leaves. If you don’t feel comfortable, and this was part of the letter that we sent out, or if you feel threatened or like your safety is in danger, then call us.”

He says trespassing is a priority four offense, considered the lowest priority still requiring a police response, but not an emergency. Chief Anderson says business owners and residents need to be realistic in what they expect from police response to trespassing.

“If you have someone in a convenience store and the manager or one of the employees wants them trespassed they call. If by the time we get there and that person is gone, the expectation is that we’re going to go and find them and trespass them, and that is unrealistic.”

Anderson says the trespass policy is the same across St. Cloud.

Hontos also asked what kind of fines or punishment Lincoln Center faced due to failure to comply with its original conditional use permit. Planning and Zoning Director Matt Glaesman said the center was fined $750 in June for failing to have a sprinkler system installed on time. The operators are appealing that fine. A $100 fine was also levied against the operators on Friday for excessive use of city services for too many calls requiring police or city action.

Over the last few months, the homeless shelter has raised enough funds to start construction on a sprinkler system, bathrooms, and showers. The center has also increased its staff, which was a sticking point with the Zoning Board of Appeals for the conditional use permit expansion request. The city made it clear that the request was going to be denied, so Lincoln Center Executive Director Harry Fleegel withdrew it.

Fleegel wants to provide a sleeping area, office space for social workers and nurses, a dining area, computer banks, and a more secure entry. He wants to increase the shelter’s capacity from 19 to 29 residents and a six-to-one resident-to-staff ratio.

As of Friday, nine people were staying at the shelter, which is below the conditional use permit’s requirements.

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