Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) vowed Monday that no city in Florida would become the next San Francisco, citing the California city’s homelessness problem.
The Florida governor listed several new proposals he aims to work on with the state legislature, including forbidding camping on city sidewalks and in parks. DeSantis also proposed additional funding for homeless shelters while requiring those staying at such shelters not to use drugs and utilize workforce services.
“We need to prohibit camping on all city streets, sidewalks, and parks,” DeSantis said, drawing applause from his audience. “We just can’t live like that.”
DeSantis added that he is open to providing financial support for communities seeking to address the mental problems that some of the homeless and drug addicts might have. The governor stated that he believes that parents should be free to go anywhere in the state without the worry of potentially being “accosted by somebody.”
“So, I think these protections will be very good for Floridians,” DeSantis said. “It’ll ensure that we don’t see any part of our state descend into the madness that you’ve seen in places like San Francisco, New York City, or Seattle.”
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The Florida governor also announced that the state would be taking several precautions ahead of the spring break season starting next month. DeSantis said he has spoken with the mayor of Miami, a popular spring break destination, to ensure that this season “does not turn into some melee.”
DeSantis’s plans for Florida come about two weeks after he announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race. In suspending his campaign, he endorsed former President Donald Trump, who is leading the Republican Party’s 2024 primary race.
