BRUNSWICK — The Brunswick Downtown Association will host a forum to address homelessness in Brunswick will be held 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Gathering Place, near Hannaford.

According to the BDA, the forum will

• Address safety being influenced by the simple intimidation by some of the growing number of homeless people now choosing to be in Brunswick.

• Educate business owners on what they can do to reduce the problem of loitering and intimidation.

• Social Service organizations will have an opportunity to educate us about the nature of this population and what they, as an organization, can do to mitigate this problem.

“The community of Brunswick is experiencing challenges and difficulties that effect business/property owners and those residing in the downtown neighborhoods,” reads an announcement by the BDA. “Representatives from the BDA and the Town of Brunswick have met with social service agencies regarding the issues of the homeless, the transient population, and those living in poverty. We have also heard from several business owners and residents about inappropriate behavior of folks that have an adverse effect on the way they do business or enjoy their homes.”