Freedom camping and urban camping aside, in many communities, it is against the law to sleep outside overnight. Case in point: Panama City, Florida. Police officers there recently arrested 11 people for camping on the beach, citing a law prohibiting sleeping in public areas between 1 and 6 a.m.
The 1973 law also prohibits temporary resting along beaches at night and, if a suspect doesn't have lodging or a destination, covers camping within the city limits.
We wish those arrested the best of luck. And we encourage Panama City to consider improving local services for homeless and transients and to reconsider laws limiting nighttime access to the beach.
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