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Mayor’s Message

Following on the success in December of closing the
encampment next to the main library, the community
initiative to end homelessness has launched its next phase.

his past week, Chief Judge Jack Tuter began a community court program at
City Hall that deals with homeless people who are charged with minor
Toffenses. The specialized court addresses the root causes of homelessness by
offering alternative sentencing for certain misdemeanor offenses.

Instead of going to jail, the homeless are connected with essential health,
rehabilitation, and social services, as well as housing. They also are required to
complete community service. This compassionate approach will reduce jail costs,
provide life-building assistance and reduce homelessness in our community.
The city worked with Judge Tuter and others for almost a year to create the
community court. It is the first of its kind in Florida. Judge Tuter traveled out of state
to observe the operation of similar programs before starting ours.
The city and the judiciary were concerned by the revolving door of homeless going
Dean Trantalis through the court system.
Mayor,
City of Fort Lauderdale Arrested on charges such as panhandling and camping in public, homeless
individuals filled precious court time and expensive jail space. The underlying
issues of why they were homeless went unaddressed. Released from jail, they were
back on the street in Fort Lauderdale. They frequently found themselves returning to
court and jail.
We have witnessed incredible results in a very short time from the homeless
coalition that the city formed with Broward County, the business community and
social service providers.

Almost 70 individuals from the downtown encampment have either been provided
services along with either permanent supportive housing or temporary housing. We
continue to recruit landlords to offer apartments for the program’s use. If you know
any landlord willing to participate in the housing program in which market rate
rents are paid to house these individuals, please contact my office.
More action is yet to come.
The United Way is negotiating with the Salvation Army and Hope South Florida to
provide day respite programs for the homeless. A meal-sharing program is also
Office Contact:
Scott Wyman being developed.
Assistant to the Mayor
Email: swyman@fortlauderdale.gov Scooters
Phone: 954.828.5004
Last November, several companies began offering motorized scooters for rent
across Fort Lauderdale. Residents and tourists have since used them thousands of
times as an alternative to driving. But numerous accidents have occurred, and the
city has been deluged with complaints about how they are used and where they
are parked.
The city is committed to ending the dangerous conditions.
Our staff is reviewing regulations from other communities and expects to discuss the
options with the City Commission in early February.

10 The Landings & Bay Colony