Encampments stay top of mind for John Giavedoni.

The long-time Exchange District resident — and head of local group the Residents of the Exchange District — has sent letters about nearby encampments and related crime and vandalism to politicians.

On Wednesday, in a room full of Exchange District entrepreneurs, he wasn’t alone.

An increasing cycle of wellness calls and street cleaning has strained the Exchange District Business Improvement Zone, attendees of a public meeting heard (it’s a new format for the BIZ’s annual general meeting).

“There’s graffiti, there’s lots of garbage, vandalism,” Giavedoni said before the meeting.

“I love the Exchange, and I think it’s a tremendous place… but there’s significant work to be done to make it actually safer and certainly to improve the percept

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