(DNAINFO) Allegra Hobbs | August 3, 2016 — Homeless advocates say as more people are brought to area shelters, more are going to the park.

Homeless activity and panhandling has spiked in and around Tompkins Square Park — and some advocates are saying the change is a sign of success in moving the city’s street homelessness population into neighboring shelters.

Over the past two years, outreach organizers working directly with the city’s Department of Homeless Services have seen a noticeable increase in homeless activity in the park, along with more instances of aggressive panhandling, according to a director of local outreach.

Source: Shelter Success Behind Surge in Tompkins Sq. Park Panhandling: Advocates – East Village – DNAinfo New York