Sarasota, FL -- The problem with homeless and vagrants at Selby Five Points Park has gotten so bad officials have pulled all of the park benches.

The final three benches were removed last week.

"We just needed to get a handle on it and start getting some control," City Commissioner Shannon Snyder told 10 News.

Residents have complained for over a year about the homeless monopolizing the benches for 8, 10 even 12 hours at a time.

Jim Lampl even submitted a series of pictures to the commission as he urged them to help clean up the situation.

"When there were six benches for most of the day, all six were occupied by transients, so they weren't available for most (other) residents," Lampl said.

In addition to loitering, Snyder says they've had problems with litter, fighting and even public urination at the park. By pulling the benches, city leaders hope they will clean up the problem. But they are also hoping the move is just temporary.

The city is working on two other ordinances that they hope will help clear the way for the benches to be returned. One would ban smoking in all city parks and facilities, while the other would prevent people from stopping by the park and handing out food.

"We want to help people that are in need and we definitely don't want to enable people who don't want the help," Snyder said. "It's a fine balancing act and this is an issue that we found the balancing point."