COCONUT CREEK, FL – The Coconut Creek City Commission is expected to take up changes to local laws at its Thursday meeting that mirror a controversial state law banning sleeping and camping on public property and gives city police new enforcement power.
Earlier this year, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a state law that prohibits local governments from allowing camping or sleeping on any public property or right-of-way in an effort to curtail homeless encampments that have popped up throughout the state. It goes into effect Oct. 1.
The state law allows cities and counties to designate a place for public camping so long as they provide security, sanitation, and access to mental health and substance abuse services…