The Florida Dream Center is a non-profit organization aimed at supporting and revitalizing Pinellas Countys Lealman community.But neighbors tell the ABC Action News I-Team they believe the presence of the organizations headquarters in their residential neighborhood is causing quality of life issues.My grandparents talk about people... oh, its now, third, fourth generation, said Lealman resident Jeremy Heath. That is the unique thing about Lealman is so many people have lived here forever. 30, 40, 50,60 years.But since the Florida Dream Center moved into the neighborhoods old fire station, Heath says there have been unwelcome newcomers.Theyre just hanging out outside the buildingMy wife was walking our dog at night. A woman walked up without a single word, kicked our dog in the face and started yelling at my wife, Heath said.If you go down to the Dream Center, theyre just hanging out outside the building. Theres trash all around the place, neighbor Scott Dilley said. They've camped out with tents in the back area near their dumpster, said Brittany Pagan, who lives across the street from the Florida Dream Center.For some reason, this has become like a hub, said John Jones, Jr.He lives about a block away and says he sees transient people riding bicycles in the neighborhood daily.There's a reason why. Because they give everything away over here. And thats what they do, is they have everyone come here, said Kyle Witkoski, who lives directly behind the Florida Dream Center.Witkoski says people line up to receive free food donated by local grocery stores and businesses.This is a community assetThe Florida Dream Centers website says the organization distributed 1.8 million pounds of food in 2023, which breaks down to 5,000 pounds per day. Board member Greg Schaeffer recently took over as interim CEO.He says the organization does so much more than feed the homeless.This is a community asset. This community asset is first and foremost for the community, Schaeffer said. He says the organization also assists with workforce training, runs an Adopt-a-Block program that helps neighbors maintain their yards, checks on elderly residents who live alone, and adopts families in need.25 percent of the food comes out of this building. The rest is mobilized, Schaeffer said. Were taking it to where the need is. So not everyone is coming to this building.But Witkoski says some who do come to the Florida Dream Center for free food end up staying.Its a safety concernI've had them defecate in my yard, theyve knocked on my door asking for money and all sorts of things. We've actually had some wander into our backyard when weve had gatherings, he said.It's a safety concern. Safety for my children and for our neighbors children. Our community was doing perfectly well without this center, Brittany Pagan said.Pagan says she wont go outside at night with her children, who are two and nine years old. Her security camera captured video of a stranger hopping over her fence to hide from deputies.He hid out in the back of our yard. Here he is peeking over the top to see if the cops are gone, Pagan said.Pagan shot a photo of people diving into an open dumpster, which she says attracts mosquitos, rats and raccoons.Another picture shows clients after business hours.They're sleeping in front of the building. Theyll put up tents. They'll put up umbrellas, Pagan said.Building purchased with COVID relief fundsThe non-profit bought the old firehouse from the county in a complicated transaction that involved shuffling $1.8 million in federal COVID relief funds between different accounts.Myself and others on the advisory committee were very concerned with this transaction, Heath said.Records show sheriffs deputies and EMS responded to the Florida Dream Center 195 times in the past four years.Neighbors say theyve seen a spike in crime.They take packages off peoples porch. Whatever they can get, if nobodys looking, theyll try to take it, Dilley said.Heath says hes concerned about vehicle break-ins and vandalism.Schaeffer says its important for neighbors who have issues to let them know.So many of the community will pick up the phone and say hey, I've got this going on, I've got that going on, I saw this. And we look into it. And sometimes its unfounded. Sometimes its something we do need to bring to the sheriffs office, Schaeffer said.CRA aimed at improving LealmanPinellas County established the Lealman Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) in 2015.A CRA keeps tax revenues within the community with the goal of improving quality of life, enhancing economic growth and preserving the community's unique character.Other successful CRAs include Tampas Channelside District and St. Petersburgs Intown Development District, which includes St. Petes vibrant downtown and Tropicana Field.The expectation and hope is that as the community lifts itself up, theres more tax money to go around in the community. At least thats the hope, Heath said.Heath is on the CRA Advisory Committee, which recommended funding renovations to Lealman Park. Theyve dumped CRA money into hosting events and making this an attractive place for this to be a hub where the community actually wants to spend time to get to know their neighbor, Heath said.Instead, the park has become a different kind of hub.The homeless people are over there every day. They go away in the ambulance. Drugs. They trash the park. They trash the neighborhood, Dilley said.We found doses of Narcan beside an unopened box of discounted doughnuts on a picnic table.Its not clear who left them, but Pagan says they shouldnt be where children play.I shouldnt have to worry about my nine-year-old saying Mommy what is this? she said.The Florida Dream Center isnt likely going away.We find a need and we fill the need. And this building is just a way we can do that, Schaeffer said.We just need a peaceful and safe environment and unfortunately, theyre not delivering on that, Pagan said.