COEUR d'ALENE - A group of neighbors is circulating a petition to get Fresh Start to move from East Sherman Avenue.

They want the homeless service center to relocate to an industrial area, away from neighborhoods.

The petition gathered 60 signatures citing problems the neighbors have experienced since the service provider moved to 1524 E. Sherman Ave. two years ago.

Once completed, it will be turned over in packet form to law enforcement agencies, Fresh Start, and media outlets.

The point is to document the problem and put it out to the public so something can be done, neighbors said.

"These people need help, we're not saying they don't," said neighbor Barb Whitaker, who lives near the center on Front Avenue, and has had problems with litter in her yard, as well as overhearing foul language from intoxicated people in her alley. "They need to be moved to an industrial area, and not be in a residential area."

The packages should be done in the next week or two.

Last month, neighbors, business owners and law enforcement personnel met with city and Fresh Start officials to discuss what could be done to help the neighborhood.

The petition is aiming to prompt quicker decisions.

"We're tired of talking about this," Whitaker said. "We want something done, and not have it pushed off in someone else's neighborhood."

Fresh Start, which provides clothes, food and a place to shower for homeless and near homeless during morning hours, can't be forced to move. Father Pat Bell, president of the nonprofit's board of directors, said the provider has been working with neighbors to address their concerns.

He said he hopes the communication remains open as all sides work through the issue.

"I don't know what the perfect solution would be. I certainly would hope we can demonstrate our responsiveness to the neighborhood," Bell said, adding that he didn't know how feasible moving a large operation like Fresh Start would be. "I'm hoping we can keep the conversation open and ongoing."

The city wasn't invited to the residential meetings, said Mike Kennedy, City Councilman and chair of the city's 10-Year-Plan-to-End-Homlessness Committee.

One meeting was at Jimmy's Down The Street restaurant on East Sherman Avenue, while the other was at neighbor Lansing Haynes house.

Haynes, a 1st District Judge, said Wednesday he didn't want to speak about the petition, but was engaged in the process as a resident of the neighborhood, not as a judge.

"I think it's more evidence that there's a problem that needs work," Kennedy said, adding that another meeting is being scheduled for the week after Fourth of July. "It's a tough issue."

He said moving Fresh Start is not going to solve the problem.

Last year, the center saw 20,000 visits from 2,000 unduplicated patrons. This year the center, which relies on 30 or so volunteers, has suspended visiting privileges to five people for disruptive behavior, according to an earlier interview with Howard Martinson, Fresh Start director.

The Disability Action Center wrote its own petition to assist Fresh Start in working with the neighborhood that doesn't include moving it to another area.

Homelessness is an increasing problem countywide, and other services like St. Vincent de Paul transitional housing and a soup kitchen are already in the area, said Patrick Blum, PAC member.

"It's a good service, plain and simple, it's a lifeline for food and other services and that's a good thing, that's a necessary application," Blum said.

He said it would be ill-advised to lump a few bad apples into the overall scope, but "stigmas and stereotypes are dangerous because that's what happens."

But other neighbors said too many homeless abuse the privilege, and use the spot to drink and aggressively panhandle for money, making the neighborhood feel uncomfortable. There have been reports of thefts and people passing out on their lawns, among other complaints.

"I'm glad they're getting after it, they don't belong in a residential area," said Frank Darlington, who lives on Front Avenue near the center, and called the recent meetings informal steps just getting the process under way. "The city has a moral obligation not to do this to us."

The petition will also be presented to the Coeur d'Alene City Council.