News Summary
Ronicca Whaley, owner of Shiso Crispy restaurants in St. Petersburg, has filed a lawsuit against the city for failing to enforce a state law prohibiting public camping. Whaley claims the city’s negligence creates an unsafe environment that harms her business due to disturbances and threatening behaviors in public spaces nearby. Despite complaints to law enforcement, action has not been taken, leading to a significant impact on her restaurants. The lawsuit seeks enforcement of the law along with recovery of legal fees.
St. Petersburg – Ronicca Whaley, the owner of two Shiso Crispy restaurant locations in downtown St. Petersburg, has initiated legal action against the City of St. Petersburg. The lawsuit, filed in the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court, seeks to compel the city to enforce a new state law that prohibits public camping and sleeping within municipal limits.
Whaley’s lawsuit claims that the city’s inaction regarding public camping has fostered an unsafe environment for her businesses, which she argues has resulted in “irreparable harm.” In her complaint, Whaley details disturbing behaviors occurring in nearby public spaces, including Williams Park and adjacent sidewalks and alleyways, where individuals regularly sleep and camp. These behaviors include public defecation, urination, and disturbing public displays such as masturbation, alongside verbal threats and harassment experienced by Whaley and her employees.
Florida Statute § 125.0231, enacted earlier this year, expressly prohibits municipalities from allowing public camping or sleeping on public property. Whaley contends that the city has failed to comply with this state law, despite her multiple attempts to voice her concerns through phone calls to law enforcement and two formal notices directed to city officials. According to Whaley, officers have informed her that “nothing can be done” regarding individuals sleeping in these public spaces.
Whaley’s attorney, Sandford Blaine Kinne, supports her claim, asserting that the ongoing situation poses a significant threat to the health and safety of Whaley, her employees, and the patrons of her restaurants. The lawsuit highlights that the persistent issues of public camping and related behaviors are discouraging customers, leading to “irreparable financial and reputational harm” for the businesses.
The legal filing seeks not only an order mandating the enforcement of the public camping ban but also requests recovery of legal fees incurred during the proceedings. The city has yet to publicly respond to the lawsuit.
Since the lawsuit’s initiation, Whaley has reported an increase in online harassment and threats directed at her and her staff, including threats of violence. These developments reflect the charged atmosphere surrounding the issue of homelessness and public safety in St. Petersburg.
To date, the St. Petersburg police have made over 250 arrests this year related to violations of public camping laws or sleeping in right-of-ways. However, the policing strategy has brought up concerns about the absence of adequate, supportive measures for individuals experiencing homelessness. Experts and community members have called for solutions that go beyond enforcement, suggesting the establishment of designated areas where essential services could be provided to those in need.
The city’s current approach to addressing homelessness has garnered criticism, leading many to voice their discontent and engage in discussions regarding potential future initiatives aimed at effectively managing the issue. Both city officials and community advocates continue to explore methods to navigate the fine line between maintaining public safety and supporting the unhoused population.
This lawsuit represents just one of the many tensions present in St. Petersburg as stakeholders strive for a solution that addresses both the needs of local businesses and the challenges faced by individuals experiencing homelessness. The outcome of the lawsuit may have significant implications for future policy and enforcement strategies in the city.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Business Owner Sues St. Petersburg Over Public Sleeping Issues
Restaurant Owner Sues City Over Homelessness Impact
Local Family Getaways in St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay
Additional Resources
- AOL: St. Petersburg Business Owner Sues
- WTSP: Homeless Public Sleeping St. Pete Lawsuit
- Fox 13: Downtown St. Pete Restaurant Owner Sues City
- WFLA: St. Pete Restaurant Owner’s Lawsuit
- Gulfshore Business: Doc Ford Author Lawsuit Against Restaurant Group
- Wikipedia: Homelessness in the United States
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
