Lakeland police: outlaw homeless camps

LAKELAND - The homeless in Lakeland may have to find a new place to live soon. The city is talking about outlawing homeless camps because they are a dangerous place for people to live, and a health issue for the entire community.

"There is evidence that bathrooms are being used where bathrooms don't currently exist," Assistant Police Chief Bill LePere said.

LePere also says the camps frequently have leftover food and packaging strewn around.

So the Lakeland Police Department is asking the city to make the camps illegal. The department wants to be able to fine violators up to $500, or put them in jail for up to 60 days.

Not surprisingly, the proposal, as it stands, is not getting much support from advocates for the homeless.

They say it would just push the homeless to neighborhoods just outside city limits.

"I don't see anything positive about the ordinance except I am sure that it will clean up the outward appearance to the people who are driving by," said Anthony Whippleleatherwood, who does outreach for Tri-County Human Services.

Police hope that by getting rid of the camps, more people would go to shelters and rehab programs. But advocates say many of those programs are already full.

Lakeland City Commissioners are expected to vote on the issue in September.