TIFTON — Faced with a resident’s concern regarding the rise of the homeless population, Tifton City Council reviewed possible courses of action.

Jordan Pope of Tifton expressed concern with the increased presence of the homeless in Tifton, asking councilmembers during a recent meeting what the city could do to find a solution.

He said many homeless people are occupying places on or near active and populated areas in the city, such as near restaurants or apartment complexes, even forming entire camps behind some locations.

The close proximity makes many residents, including Pope, feel unsafe, he said.

With the interstate passing through Tifton, the city thrives on its first impression, Pope said, adding the appearance of a large homeless population could negatively impact that impression.

Pope urged council to develop a plan as soon as possible.

Mayor Julie Smith assured Pope the city is and has been doing everything it can, recounting that she had appointed Councilmen M. Jay Hall and Josh Reynolds to a committee to work on the issue in recent months.

However, she stressed the homeless issue is a national one that cannot be easily solved.

She added the homeless have as many rights as any other person and the city needs to be careful not to violate those rights.

She cited mental health as a major issue concerning homeless people, explaining that many of Tifton’s mental health clinics had been shut down for some time, which left some people with no support for treatment.

Councilman Jack Folk agreed with this stance, surmising that many of the homeless people are likely veterans struggling with PTSD, and stressed the importance of getting state aid if they hope to tackle the mental health issues.

Rob Wilmot, city attorney, said the city has ordinances that could prohibit obstruction of public property but if homeless people violate the ordinance, they would simply be put in jail, which the city would have to fund and then be put back on the street once set free.

He suggested council focus on providing shelter in determining a solution.

City Manager Emily Beeman said she has been discussing the issue with other city managers and was more than willing to continue deliberating with them but suggested the city’s first move should be helping the property owners who have had homeless people stay on their properties.

Councilman Lester Cromer said he believes the city’s next step is a very broad one that it could not take on alone and recommended it organize some kind of hearing to listen to as many of the community’s perspectives and opinions as possible.

Smith agreed, stressing the only way the city would be able to solve the issue is through a joint effort at the city, county, state and federal levels.

As the debate came to a close for the time being, Hall thanked Pope for coming to speak with them and encouraged him to continue conversing with them about the issue, as the council is certain to discuss the issue again in the future.