ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A Pinellas County judge on Tuesday dismissed the motion for a third-party group to join a homeless lawsuit against the city of St. Petersburg.
Restaurant owner Ronicca Whaley filed a lawsuit against the city in July, claiming the city was allowing homeless people to sleep overnight on public property.
It’s one of the first lawsuits filed under a new state law.
Whaley alleges the city’s conduct is hurting her business by enabling atrocious behaviors.
The city in September asked the judge to dismiss Whaley’s lawsuit, stating it was based on vague assertions.
Earlier this month, Judge Amy Williams also denied the city’s motion to dismiss Whaley’s complaint.
The Progressive People’s Action asked the judge to intervene in the lawsuit, saying the case could affect the organization’s ability to deliver benefits.
Both the plaintiff and defendant asked the judge to deny the PPA motion, which Judge Williams ended up doing Tuesday.
“This lawsuit is not about taking away aid or taking away anything from homeless,” Williams said. “This is simply about enforcing the law and whether the people should be allowed to sleep in the parks.”
The state law prohibits local governments from allowing overnight sleeping in public spaces.
The lawsuit will proceed to the recovery stage.