A businesswoman told Leesburg city commissioners that she felt compelled to obtain a concealed weapons permit due to problems with homeless people in the downtown area.
Dina Simpson, along with her husband Tim Simpson, for the past seven years has operated Renew Day Spa on Main Street in downtown Leesburg. She was responding to Mayor Jimmy Burry’s request for public comment during the Sept. 23 commission meeting regarding a proposed city ordinance aimed at homeless camps in Leesburg.
Simpson told the commissioners that she felt the need to obtain a concealed carry permit for a pistol after confronting a man in the back yard of her business. He was only wearing a shirt and was nude from the waist down. She said she retreated into her business and called the police. She had the man trespassed from her property, but the man continues to harass her family members.
The Simpsons described how lights and security cameras have been destroyed and stolen by that homeless man, who was arrested by the police in the downtown area with drugs and a stolen security camera in his backpack. They also told the commissioners of continuing problems with vandalism to their property and people who defecated on their front porch and passed out on their property.
Penny Costanzo told the commissioners that the city’s efforts to get more people to use the downtown area will fail as long as they are being harassed by the homeless people. She said that the parking lots smell like urine and should be power washed. She described how homeless people are in the park in one spot all day long. She urged the commissioners to do something to help the homeless if they want to improve the downtown area.
Felicia Stewart, who operates a non-profit called Hope to Restoration which helps homeless people, urged the city to take steps to help homeless people to get back on their feet.
James Hopkin, who operates a downtown restaurant, has had problems with several homeless people trespassing on his property. He wants police to be given more tools to deal with this problem. He told the commissioners that most of the problems in the downtown area are caused by a small number of homeless persons who have made downtown Leesburg their home.
Police Chief Joe Iozzi promised to have his department respond promptly when contacted by business owners when problems occurred in the downtown area with homeless people. He also indicated that the officers would issue trespass notices when requested.
Commissioner Alan Reisman noted that homeless people are living along the city’s bicycle paths, which may impact the public’s use of the paths.
Berry Park has also had instances where the publics use of the park was adversely impacted by homeless people in the park.
Leesburg commissioners are considering a new ordinance regarding homeless persons within the city as a result of a new law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The new law prohibits unauthorized camping or sleeping at anytime within the city. The new Florida statute, section 125.0231, also gives city residents, business owners in the city and the attorney general the authority to file for an injunction lawsuit against the city if the city so allows camping or sleeping on public properties including but not limited to public buildings, parks or other properties or right of ways which are under the city ’s jurisdiction.
Mayor Burry made it very clear that the new ordinance mirrors the state law and will hopefully enable the city to deal with homeless camping without being sued by residents and local businesses.
A public hearing on the proposed ordinance is set for 5:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at city hall.
