Gulfport Beach Faces Rising Tensions as Car Camping Sparks Local Outcry

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GULFPORT, Fla. (WFLA) — Residents of Gulfport are voicing their concerns over individuals residing in vehicles parked at a waterfront lot.

“Our police department is monitoring the situation, and we will address issues as they arise,” stated City Manager Jim O’Reilly.

In Florida, while setting up tents and sleeping in public spaces is prohibited, resting in a privately registered vehicle remains lawful.

Earlier this month, a local resident expressed his frustrations to the city council, mentioning that when he contacts the police, they inform him there’s little they can do.

“I don’t quite understand that myself, but I’ve heard from the neighbors over there that they’re not really happy with that either,” he said in the meeting.

The lot doesn’t allow overnight parking between midnight and 4 a.m. Some people News Channel 8 spoke with off camera said they would arrive right after 4 a.m. to get some sleep.

“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.