JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Florida’s new law banning people from sleeping outside on public property will go into effect Oct. 1.
The law signed earlier this year by Governor Ron DeSantis specifically prohibits camping in public spaces, meaning there’s a possibility someone caught doing so could face arrest.
On Monday, News4JAX got a closer look at how the city of Jacksonville will work to be in compliance.
Last week, the Jacksonville City Council passed legislation allocating funds for a seven-member team operated through Jacksonville Fire and Rescue. The team’s sole responsibility will be to make contact with unhoused individuals and work to ensure they’re placed into shelters and off the street.
Fire Chief Keith Powers said this is a start to a more long-term solution.
“This hasn’t been solved anywhere in the country yet,” Powers said. “We’re working to be the first ones to solve it, but that’s going to take a lot of effort.”
Power said implementing the team is a gradual process, but once it is in place, it will consist of one captain, two lieutenants, and four engineers. The team will work on a 24/48 schedule, ensuring all hours of the day are covered.
The group’s focus will be getting those individuals into a shelter and following up to help solve the problem of what led to them becoming homeless. This way, the cycle is broken. This can include helping those down on their luck, suffering from a mental health issue, or struggling with addiction.
The chief said in the coming weeks, JFRD will meet the city’s Homeless Initiatives Commission to share what the first needs will be.
“Whatever we determine the needs are, whether it’s more shelter bed space, or a place for them to store their belongs while they’re in the shelter, or wrap-around services, we’ll be going back to the Homeless Initiatives Commission and asking for their support on it,” Powers said.
Mayor Donna Deegan said this is a great start.
“It’s work they do all the time, and I’m grateful to Chief Powers and the folks at JFRD for stepping up for that,” Powers said.
Deegan went on to say solving the homelessness issue needs to be funded more robustly.
“As we go, it’ll get us started, but as we go, we’re going to need to add more to that. Our goal is functional zero, which means we’re not putting more people on the street than what we’re talking off the street,” Deegan said. “We’re a long way to go, but I think with the plan, if we can implement it, and we need more funds for it, then we’ll be fine. We just have to continue to press forward on it.”
Chief Powers said the captain has already been selected. He said she works closely with JFRD’s Coordinated Opioid Recovery (CORE) Program.
“She already has this passion and compassion, that’s why she was selected,” Powers said. “She came in for the interview and just blew it out of the water. A big part of what is affecting our homeless population is substance abuse.”
Powers said overall, implementing the team will be a gradual process.
He said the team is working on policies and procedures, and meeting with JSO to make sure its policies align with what the team will be doing.
The chief also said if someone they make contact with adamantly refuses their assistance, that’s when the sheriff’s office will step in.
