ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — St. Petersburg Police are helping people facing homelessness, while connecting them with resources.

For officers in the PATH Unit, it’s not so much about making arrests, these officers want to ensure this vulnerable community is connected to any resources they need, while treating them with compassion. 

“We come across a lot of unhoused people that purposely pick these type of areas,” said one officer.
The unit begins their day with a 6 a.m. briefing.

“We do our very best to assist those who are in need of either shelter or services,” said Sgt. Todd Hancock, St. Pete Police Department.

Then they get right to patrolling.

Sgt. Hancock supervises six officers within the PATH Unit.
“We received concerns from citizens throughout the entire city and what we do we try to follow up with them,” Hancock said. “We offer them an explanation of what’s going on what ours are and what our responsibilities are.”
8 On Your Side got to ride along to highlight their work in helping this vulnerable community.
“You can see the remnants of a minor encampment would look like it’s the basic stuff Protection from the weather with a sign, maybe a shopping cart for their goods,” Officer Scott Laaninen said.

While on foot, Ofc. Laaninen checked out remote areas their patrol cars can’t typically access.
“As we were checking the railroad tracks this morning, we came across a couple gentlemen off the railroad tracks,” he said.
Officers hand out snack bags as well as offering some support.
“This is just something that bridges the gap from us to them to show that there is some humanity,” Laaninen said.

The PATH Unit launched in 2019 and has since expanded. Now, a registered nurse joins the officers one day a week to offer medical care.
“You want to go somewhere to stay dry for a couple days? Do you want to go to safe Harbor?” asked Officer Laaninen. “Yeah” responded one man.

Safe Harbor is Pinellas County’s emergency homeless shelter.
The two men agree to go. They would otherwise be sitting out in the stormy weather.
“You know you have to try to build those positive contacts and then when you have that rapport, then they’ll trust that I’m not taking them off to jail we’re taking you to a place,” Laaninen said.
 The PATH Unit works to determine which resources are best for the people they’re helping.
“It don’t get no better than this, helping the homeless, and that’s a good thing,” said one man receiving services.

The city’s annual report showed by the end of 2024, the unit made connections with more than 2,000 individuals facing homelessness and more than 400 people agreed to be transported to shelters or other organizations in the community.