Chief Paolillo says that the magnet effect exists, but that the shelter is the only place the police, who brought 2022 people to the shelter last year, can take area's homeless people.

"It is advantageous for me to keep 240 Albany St. open," he says. "The paradox is that 240 Albany St. is the source of my problems."

Diversity and Neighborliness

Barron's prognosis for Central Square, should the current climate continue, is nothing if not blunt.

"If we can clean up social problems," he says, "then we can have people willing to create jobs, use the goods and services and invest in Central Square. If the social problems are not resolved, Central Square will remain as it is."

But not all the businesspeople in the community speak about Central Square in the same grim tones. Despite the rough economic times, they continue to heap praise on the area's diversity and neighborly feeling.

"My feeling is that it is nice to see Central Square in a positive light." says Sandra Levine the owner of Central Square Florist on Mass. Ave. "It is a lot of fun here.

"There are a lot of different ethnic groups--it certainly is not boring. You get to know your customers. Everyone's not a strange face in the door."

Levine, whose shop has been in business in the square since 1929, stresses the presence of "mom and pop" businesses, economical prices and a friendly atmosphere which allow the square to remain competitive with malls.

And although retail stores are struggling to survive, the multi-ethnic character of the neighborhood has contributed to a number of success stories for up-and-coming restauranteurs, selling a variety of food ranging from Indian to Greek to Taiwanese.

Nabil Sater, the owner of the Middle East Restaurant on Mass. Ave., has been in the square since 1974 and says his business is good and getting better.

"We need more tourists," he says. "We need more people to recognize the international flavor of Central Square."

And other area merchants--particularly the younger ones--are similarly optimistic, even about the social problems that Barron criticizes.

"At night there are tons of drunks, but during the day there are no problems. They are just a side show." says Steve S. Reich, the self-styled "second banana" at the Sleep-A-Rama in Central Square. "They're not dangerous--just a bother."

"It's still a viable area if one is able tailor merchandise to the public at large," says Bud Carter, the manager of Surman's, a menswear store claiming to be the oldest business in the area.

Carter acknowledges the increase in homeless people and and says a growth in crime has hurt prices, but he blames the decreasing business primarily on the changing times.

Carter, who speaks several languages, adds that the changeing ethnic composition of the square has changed business and made it more exciting.

"It adds to the excitement if you are a lover of people," says Carter, who claims not to be a capitalist at heart. "A business that is trying to serve the public will always have a place."