Police will continue making arrests under a city ordinance prohibiting camping or sleeping on public property.
As of last week, Florida residents can sue cities or counties that don’t enforce a new Florida statute outlawing homeless people from camping or sleeping on public property.
But Lakeland leaders say they have not changed the way they have handled people camping on public property for years: by arresting those violating a longstanding city ordinance and taking them to the county jail.
Lakeland City Ordinance Chapter 70-5 states that “camping is prohibited on all public property located within the city,” unless it is permitted by the city manager. In addition, “camping is prohibited on all private property located within the city with the exception of property zoned commercially for use as a campground, and property zoned residential,” unless the owner consents.
In 2023, LPD made 130 arrests for camping on public property. As of December 2024 there had been 84. Kerr said those numbers may not include people given a notice to appear or a complaint affidavit.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said he does not plan to send deputies to round up residents of homeless encampments, including one along New Tampa Highway and County Line Road on the outskirts of Lakeland.
“My goal is the county jail is not to become the de facto homeless camp,” Judd said. “We need to keep those beds for real criminals and not just people who need a place to sleep.”
City and county leaders say the law does not require them to create a shelter but merely suggests they could.
“The bill does not require that local governments designate a specific public space for camping and sleeping,” County Attorney Randy Mink said. “It does not say it shall designate a property for public camping or sleeping.”
Lakeland City Manager Shawn Sherrouse said he is deferring to the county manager and the county’s interpretation of the bill.
“I have had related conversations with County Manager (Bill) Beasley regarding the city’s willingness to partner with the county for any related future needs or requirements,” Sherrouse said.
Mayor Bill Mutz is a longtime proponent of creating a tiny-house village for the chronic homeless. It would include a central area to provide social services.
“They’re parked on ‘may’ and I think the way the law was written was to keep it from being compulsory,” said Mutz.