Several officials from the city of Miami Beach have come together to bring to life a project they have called "Summer Relief Operation," aimed at addressing homelessness by providing shelter and mental health assistance to people living on the streets.
They stated this at a press conference where Steven Meiner, the city's mayor, detailed that "the number one issue our residents want us to address is that of homeless individuals."
"Let’s all get to work, let’s double our efforts during the month of August to provide a lifeline to people," he added.
According to Local 10, the announcement is preceded by an order approved by the city that grants officers the discretion to arrest homeless individuals who refuse offers of help.
In addition to following the line drawn by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, when he signed a bill in March that prohibits sleeping on public property, a measure that had previously been approved by state legislators amid the massive arrival of immigrants and the rising cost of rent.
On this occasion, the Republican led a press conference where the issue of homelessness in the state was discussed and promised greater access to services for homeless individuals, in matters such as substance abuse and mental health issues.
According to DeSantis, the legislation will ensure that the state's streets are "clean" and "safe."
"It prohibits camping on streets, sidewalks, and parks in the city, creates enforcement tools to ensure that local governments comply with the law, and ensures that shelters for homeless people provide alternatives for counseling on drug abuse and mental health when shelters have reached their maximum capacity," the governor stated.
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