Florida's public sleeping ban is now in effect. What it means for Tampa Bay
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Sleeping in public places is now illegal across Florida. A new state law targeting residents experiencing homelessness took effect last week.
Why it matters: Supporters say public camping creates safety and quality of life issues, while critics say the ban would criminalize homelessness instead of developing housing solutions.
Catch up quick: The anti-camping law, HB1365, bars municipalities from allowing anyone to sleep in public. It empowers residents and business owners to sue local governments that don't uphold the law.
- If homeless shelters reach capacity, the law allows municipalities to create homeless encampments with bans on drugs and alcohol.
Zoom in: The City of St. Petersburg already had an ordinance that barred overnight camping in public spaces, so the law won't change how it responds to calls for service, per a spokesperson.
- St. Pete sent an outreach team to speak with members of the unhoused population before the law went into effect and added more beds at the Pinellas Hope shelter to expand its capacity.
- The Pinellas Safe Harbor shelter received over $5 million through federal grants and the county to help with case management and mental health services for those at the shelter.
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said its goal is "compliance without any enforcement being required," which requires coordination with all of its partners and social workers.
- "Part of our effort is to educate the homeless population and provide options to impermissible sleeping or camping in public spaces," the sheriff's office told Axios.
The Tampa Police Department told Axios that the law doesn't change its current practices with respect to public camping or sleeping, nor does it remove its authority to enforce the city's ban on those activities.
- We have a "long-standing commitment to addressing homelessness as a public health and safety issue," the department said, adding that it remains "committed to providing compassionate and effective assistance to those experiencing homelessness in Tampa."
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office directed Axios to the county, which did not provide specifics about its plan to enforce the new law.
The big picture: Tampa Bay's largest cities, which had similar bans on the books well before this new law passed, won't see much change, per the Tampa Bay Times.
- The Times spoke with dozens of unhoused people, some of whom said the law left them uncertain about the future.
What they're saying: "A lot of people are only one paycheck, one hurricane or one something from homelessness," Angela Bennett told the Times. "So don't look at us like we're any less."
- "Everybody is talking about the new law," Shawn Strange said. "I've been sleeping by a local business. So long as we don't make a mess, he don't mind us."