JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has started enforcing Florida's ban on "unauthorized public camping and sleeping," which criminalizes unhoused people who sleep in the streets, they confirmed in a post on X.
JSO entered a "warning period" after the bill creating the ban, called HB 1365, was passed on Oct. 1. The agency said at the time the warning period would be one month. As of Nov. 1, that period has ended.
Since Nov. 1, JSO has arrested 23 people accused of violating HB 1365 by sleeping or camping in the street.
Seventeen people have received notices to appear, which is when someone is asked to appear in court on a criminal charge without being arrested.
Violators receive a fine of $50 and up to 30 days in jail if they have been warned and then arrested, according to JSO.
JSO shared a video of officers with the District 1 Walking Beat and Bike Unit taken on Oct. 31. In the video, police approach people who are on the sidewalks in the Downtown. They ask the people if they have been warned before, and let them know the ban will be enforced by arrest the next day (Nov. 1).
The agency is working with the Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Department, as well as non-profits and shelters across the county, to try and help people who are sleeping in the streets. One program they promote is Homeward Bound, which is funded by JSO. Homeward Bound provides bus tickets home for unhoused people, and connects people who have come to Jacksonville from other areas with local resources. In the video, Lt. Damone with JSO talks with people about using the Homeward Bound program after he gives them warnings.
In the video, Damone tells one person, "Tomorrow, we can make an arrest for it. We don't wanna do that."
He says in the video that he hopes if they do have to make arrests, it pushes that person to utilize services that are available afterward.
"JSO is committed to enforcing this law in line with Florida state statutes and city ordinance... Our goal is to connect each person with resources and work compassionately to help ensure everyone has a roof over their heads," JSO wrote in their post.
JSO says that since October 1, Homeward Bound has assisted 42 travelers, totaling 240 this year. For more local resources on housing, food, and social services, people in need can call 211.
The Jacksonville City Council is currently considering a bill that would appropriate $1.3 million to provide three local homeless shelters with a total of 110 beds.
This bill will be discussed next week amongst council members in a committee meeting, then a vote is expected in two weeks on November 26.