Homeless advocates urged the Leesburg commissioners to do something to help the city’s homeless, other than criminalize their condition.
The commissioners asked for public comment during a hearing Monday night on the proposed ordinance to prohibit unauthorized camping or sleeping at anytime within the city. The sensitive topic brought many people to the podium at the meeting
Carmon Rodgers, who lives near the downtown area, told the commissioners that the city needs to do something to help the homeless people.
“We need to find a way to get the people off the street. We need to put some money into helping these people as opposed to putting them in jail, which would be more expensive,” she said.
When Mayor Jimmy Burry explained that the proposed ordinance was required because of a new state statute which gives city residents, business owners and the Florida attorney general the authority to file for an injunction lawsuit against the city if the city 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.
Rodgers told the mayor that the ordinance would make life tougher for the homeless, but would do nothing to help them.
The mayor explained that the state law requires that if a homeless encampment is created by the city or county it cannot be near a residential or commercial area where property values could be affected. He said that there are no areas in all of the county and city which would meet the state requirements.
Linda Galat told the commissioners she has been helping the homeless in Leesburg by providing them with food and clothing for the past seven years. She said the ordinance would only give a person 60 minutes to move. She said that would not be enough time to take down their tent or collect their possessions to vacate the area.
“Where are the people going to go?” she said.
Galat said that she feeds up to 98 people per day. She urged the commissioners to find some way to help the homeless.
Kimberly Deroch told the commissioners that the new ordinance, which carries a $500 fine, will be tough to enforce as a homeless person would be hard pressed to pay a $500 fine. She asked why the city could not set up a homeless shelters as the state law allows. She said has had some problems with homeless on her property. She suggested that Leesburg should work with Lake County to provide a solution.
Kelly Veilleux of the Salt Outreach ministry told the commissioners about her experience helping the homeless and the anxiety the new law is causing the homeless.
“It is hard to work if you cannot sleep,” she said.
Elizabeth Vernon told the commissioners that she has a ministry to try and help the homeless.
“If we can have a shelter for animals why can’t we have some thing for the homeless?” she asked.
Leesburg resident Benita Nestler gave her full support to the state law, championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. She said the city’s ordinance would protect the Leesburg community. She said she has sympathy for the homeless, but that the community shouldn’t have to pay the price in terms of devaluation of property and lifestyle.
The ordinance passed the commission with a unanimous vote.