Broward Can’t Arrest Its Way Out Of Homelessness | Gregory Tony

In the next few weeks, cities and counties throughout Florida will enact new ordinances to remove homeless persons from public parks, streets and buildings. These new ordinances are in response to a new state law (HB 1365) that makes it illegal to camp or sleep in public spaces and places the burden on cities and counties to enforce the new law or face legal jeopardy from the state attorney general and citizen-initiated lawsuits. Already, some municipal leaders have called for the arrest and jailing of homeless people who refuse to go to a shelter or accept assistance. Homelessness is not a crime, and the county jail system is not a solution to the homeless crisis. A day in the county jail costs taxpayers more than $200.