ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. — Escambia County commissioners are drafting an ordinance that will make camping on public property illegal. This comes after the state passed a law banning sleeping or camping in public spaces, including sidewalks, parks and beaches.

The city of Pensacola also passed a similar ordinance last week, and critics feared it would simply shift the homeless problem back to the county. County Commissioner Mike Kohler said the ordinance provides an extra layer of protection for the county in the event of a lawsuit.

Escambia County is set to become the next municipality to comply with a new state law banning people from sleeping or camping in public. Kohler said Escambia County will vote on a county ordinance in December.

“Basically, we put something out that will be voted on on Dec. 12, basically saying you can’t camp on public property,” Kohler said.

Pensacola’s new city ordinance first gives violators a warning, followed by a $50 per day fine if they refuse to leave.

If an individual continues to defy the order, they could be arrested and jailed for up to 20 days.

“We want to be in line so we don’t get sued,” Kohler said. “We want to enforce the law that the state legislature, not us, enacted. But we also follow it so that the county is not sued for anything inappropriate. Our goal is not to hurt person, it’s to follow the law and ask people for help But in this legislation, if they don’t move, the sheriff could arrest them.

Commissioner Lumon May says the county and city need to be on the same page. He says arresting the homeless won’t solve the problem and will put additional pressure on a jail that’s already bursting at the seams.

“I don’t think any judge, elected commissioner, sheriff or law enforcement officer wants to flood our jails with homeless people,” May said. “I think we need to be able to reorient people. We need to address the issue of mental health. We need to deal with drug and alcohol addiction by trying to reorient people. Help them understand the importance to live a quality life. We must therefore be able to reorient people. There will always be a part of the population who will have more difficulty making them understand the importance of not being homeless. ‘give up.

Homeless advocate Michael Kimbrel criticizes new laws. He said they would only make the homeless problem worse.

“I find it despicable. I hope they come back and watch this meeting,” said Kimbrel, director of the Washburn Center. “Many nonprofits have stood up and said we are not prepared to deal with this. They are not prepared to bear the burden of so many people being displaced off public lands. There is no There are not enough shelter beds, there is not enough mental health care.

Kohler and May say they want to help people who need it. They told WEAR News that building a low-barrier shelter is being discussed, which is consistent with what state law recommends.

“I think we need to put it in the right place, with the right program and with the right partners,” May said. “I don’t think government can do this alone. It takes faith-based organizations, government, our civic organizations and our homeless advocates to come together.”

The low-barrier shelter would allow individuals to stay there without income or sobriety requirements. It would be open 24/7.

It is unclear when this idea will be put on the agenda.