DeSantis signs public sleeping bill, talks spring break in South Florida
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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — On Wednesday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill that some say “criminalizes homelessness” in the state of Florida.
While speaking at “Santorini by Georgios,” a Greek restaurant and beach club in Miami Beach, Gov. DeSantis signed HB-1365, the bill preventing residents from camping in local parks or on the streets introduced by Rep. Sam Garrison (R-Fleming Island).
Instead, local governments will establish government-run homeless camps to serve the homeless population.
Part of the conditions for living in these homeless camps is that residents cannot consume alcohol or drugs. The camps must have restrooms, running water, and security on site pending approval from the Florida Department of Children and Families.
Before signing the bill, DeSantis spoke about the city’s “break up” with spring breakers, comparing the crowds during spring break to homeless residents camping on the street.
“We have to govern this state and our communities with an eye towards what’s in the best interest of the law-abiding citizen,” DeSantis said. “The spring break thing, people were having fun, but we want the residents down here to be able to live their lives without having these things happen. We want the businesses to be able to function without having to close because you have crowds to much. Same thing when you’re dealing with this issue of homelessness.”
DeSantis also claimed the state’s response to spring break has been a “great success.”
State Sen. Shevrin Jones (D-Miami Gardens) criticized the bill, saying it does nothing to address the root causes of homelessness.
“There is no denying that Florida faces a housing crisis that harms people and families across the state,” Jones said in a statement. “Rather than addressing the root cause and ensuring we have housing that’s affordable and actually meets the needs of Floridians, the Governor and his allies in the legislature chose a shortsighted band-aid that will only make the crisis worse. Safe, stable housing is a human right, and the legislature should prioritize solutions and getting local partners and communities the resources they need to build pathways toward housing — not criminalizing our fellow human beings.”
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