Florida AG Notifies Winter Haven Over Homelessness Laws

State Notice to Winter Haven

• ⚠️ The Florida Attorney General's Office has issued a notice of violation to the City of Winter Haven regarding alleged violations of state law.
• 📣 The notice centers on the city's handling of individuals publicly camping and sleeping in public spaces.

Allegations and State Law

• ⚖️ The Attorney General's letter cites a complaint from a resident alleging violations of Florida's 2024 law banning public camping and sleeping.
• 📍 Specific locations mentioned include Kuanas Park and Central Avenue, where a resident claimed homeless individuals made public spaces unusable.
• 📸 The AG's office shared photos in the letter, which were also referenced in a tweet by the AG stating the city allowed parks and street corners to be "taken over by homeless."

City's Response and Current Situation

• ⏱️ The City of Winter Haven stated it received the AG's letter just one hour before the AG tweeted about the issue.
• 🌳 Upon visiting the cited locations, reporters found children playing at Kuanas Park and no signs of homeless camps, with Central Avenue also appearing quiet.
• 🤝 Winter Haven's police department collaborates with the Homeless Coalition of Polk County to assist individuals in finding shelter or arranging transportation.
• 🏠 There is no general homeless shelter within Winter Haven; the closest is located in Lakeland.

Legal Requirements and City's Next Steps

• 🗺️ State law permits communities to designate specific areas where public sleeping is allowed, but the letter indicates Winter Haven has not done so for the locations in question.
• 📅 The AG's office requested a response from the city within five days.
• 📝 Winter Haven expects to have its response ready for the AG's office the following day.