Volusia County property appraiser closes office after employee accosted by homeless man

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — The Volusia County property appraiser said he stands by his decision to close down one of his offices following a physical incident between an employee and a homeless man.

Daytona Beach has been dealing with a growing number of homeless people camping along Beach Street.

Nearly 100 homeless people have been camping on Beach Street outside the administration building.

A female employee said she was accosted on her way to work at the property appraiser's office.

Morgan Gilreath, the county’s property appraiser, said the incident convinced him to close the office.

“When people feel fearful to be able to get out of their car (or) walk into the building or out of the building, things have gone too far,” he said.

Gilreath said his employees will be out of the office for at least a week.

They will report to work on Monday either in the DeLand or New Smyrna Beach office.

At a Daytona Beach City Council meeting Thursday, leaders did not reach a decision on whether to create a temporary shelter, but allowed the local Salvation Army to set up a shelter.

WFTV