Over objections from advocates but with the backing of Miami’s police chief, city commissioners voted 4-1 to advance an ordinance that would make it easier for Miami police to arrest people sleeping on the city’s streets.
The proposal, which District 3 Commissioner Rolando Escalona put forward earlier this month, will now go to a second and final vote. Only District 5 Commissioner Christine King opposed the measure.
Should it pass, police would no longer be required to issue written warnings to people found violating Florida’s public camping ban, nor would they need to give people “maintaining an encampment” a chance to gather their belongings and relocate before arresting them…