TALLAHASSEE, FL — The Office of Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier sent a letter dated January 6, 2026, to Winter Haven City Attorney Frederick John Murphy, Jr., notifying the city of alleged repeated violations of section 125.0231(2), Florida Statutes, which prohibits authorizing or allowing public camping or sleeping on public property unless designated under specific conditions.
The letter states that the office received a detailed complaint from a resident documenting instances over several months where individuals were residing in public parks, sidewalks, and benches, rendering those spaces unusable.
The complainant reported unsuccessful attempts to address the issue with city officials, including code enforcement, public safety, and police. Specific locations cited include Kiwanis Park at 301 Avenue C Northeast, Winter Haven, Florida, and sidewalks along Central Avenue. Nothing further at this time.
SOURCE: THE OFFICE OF FLORIDA ATTORNEY GENERAL JAMES UTHMEIER
