Rising Concerns: Gulfport Residents Rally Against Beach Car Camping Surge

GULFPORT, Fla. (WFLA) — Residents of Gulfport are raising concerns over individuals residing in their vehicles at a waterfront parking lot, prompting city officials to address the situation.

“Our police department is monitoring the situation closely, and we plan to handle any issues as they arise,” stated City Manager Jim O’Reilly.

In a separate incident, a 15-year-old cyclist is battling life-threatening injuries following a collision with another teenager in Dunedin.

While Florida law prohibits setting up tents and sleeping in public areas, residing in a registered vehicle remains within legal bounds.

One local resident voiced his frustrations at a recent city council meeting, expressing that when he contacted the police, they informed him their hands were tied.

“I find it perplexing myself, and I’ve heard from nearby neighbors that they share similar dissatisfaction,” he remarked during the meeting.

“There’s places I could go and like homeless shelters but they’re too dangerous and they’re not very good,” said Mike Audet, who was living out of his car.

Audet said he lost his job last year and couldn’t make rent.

“I couldn’t live there anymore so I ended up out here,” Audet said. “I’ve been out here since November.”

He said he’s one of about a half dozen people who are camping out of their cars in the lot. Another member of that group went to city council to speak for them during a public discussion about adding parking rates to the lot.

“Why aren’t any of you going up to these elderly peers and saying what can we do to help you?” he said.

The city manager said none of these campers have been towed from the lot. Campers told News Channel 8 off camera, they’re afraid that might change.

News Channel 8 reached out to Gulfport police to verify the claims that 911 callers have made against people living in their cars. Those records were not made immediately available for this report.