I have spent the last 28 years living in Florentia. Over the past 3 years, the number of homeless and jobless people loitering around our homes, parks and general community areas has exponentially grown - this needs to be changed!

Our area is becoming a problem area, and literally becoming less desirable by the day. The homeless and jobless are attracted to the area as a result of St Therese offering large food parcels weekdays, getting the homeless to line up each afternoon in Viljoen street, Florentia. The homeless hang around the entire day, discard their rubbish in public spaces and end up harassing us at our homes.

This must be stopped!

Personally, I had two incidents this past week which forced me to start this petition. My domestic lady has been working for my family for generations. This past week she was threatened by homeless people loitering around the church on her way home, physically threatening her. The second incident this past week was one of these homeless/jobless people burning down our sub-station behind the KFC in Florentia. 

I need to be clear - I don't have an issue with St Therese offering food to the needy, HOWEVER, I want them to shift their food service far away from Florentia. Homeless people as far as Jhb CBD and Midrand CBD are flocking to Florentia for this service.

As resident of Florentia for 28 years I am tired of homeless people (and unsavory) characters hanging around my residential area permanently, largely attracted by the food service offered.

St Therese, please shift your food service elsewhere. Florentia has always been a peaceful, clean and cozy residential area. For decades and decades. I am not saying that your church's offering is the only reason so many homeless people are loitering around, but after having spoken to a number of them, this is one of the LARGEST attractions for them.