DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Daytona Beach city leaders met for the first time since the shut down of a homeless camp, which police said was filled with prostitution and drugs.
Campers had gathered outside the Volusia County Administration for 44 days. Police disbanded the camp once the homeless had a place to seek shelter for at least three months.
Leaders could not come up with a solution Wednesday night to make sure the camp doesn’t form again.
Daytona Beach Police Chief Mike Chitwood said nobody is allowed to camp outside the building on Beach Street.
The homeless campers were told to go to the Salvation Army for shelter for at least three months.
Channel 9’s Ty Russell asked what will happen after the temporary shelter is gone.
“Our hope is that we will have a plan and shovels in place in the ground,” said Mayor Derrick Henry.
City leaders accepted more than $110,000 in donations from several businesses.
“That money will essentially go to help address the immediate situation,” said Henry.
The city never had plans to vote on a permanent fix until after meeting with county leaders to talk money.
“Sometimes government doesn’t move as quickly as the business community,” Henry said.
Volusia County leaders will meet Thursday. Henry said he hopes the county will vote to have a joint meeting with the city to discuss funding for a homeless shelter.
Cox Media Group
