"We need more police. There is a real social issue around the use of synthetics, P and alcohol that is not being dealt with," she said.
"Auckland Council and the Local Board need to step up and help keep people safe in public places - they have more of a long term plan to do with place making, which is years away."
Conlon said Glen Eden was usually a nice suburb with a strong community spirit. She said she believed homeless people came to Glen Eden after they were moved on from other suburbs.
She said although there were a number of legitimate homeless people, she believed a large number were there begging for money on top of the benefit.
She said people could make up to $200 a day.
"The money they get is not for food [or] shelter but for drugs and alcohol," Conlon said.
"Some get dropped off and collected at the end of the day. It is an ongoing issue, and we do not have the funding to carry on with security long term."
Conlon said although a lot of town centres employed security, Glen Eden was one of the smallest business associations and so didn't generate the same income so could not afford security generally.
She said the organisation was constantly trying to remind the public not to give money to beggars, and that calls to the police about intimidation were not seen as high priority.
"We are dealing with the police all the time, and have a community constable - however he only works six hours a week in Glen Eden, which is not nearly enough," Conlon said.
"The Area Commander does not think Glen Eden has enough issues to warrant more police presence, which we disagree with," she said.
"We have Community Patrols and Pacific Wardens who volunteer their time but the issues we face are too much for them."
