Charleston officials are disputing complaints that a warrant sweep last week was timed to clear downtown areas of unsheltered residents ahead of the regatta. City council members heard allegations Monday from a public defender’s office employee that 16 arrests, including 11 of them only for being in city parks after they are closed, and a warrant raid last Thursday make it appear that the actions were targeted ahead of the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta. Mayor Amy Goodwin said she sent questions to police, who denied targeting the homeless population ahead of the regatta.