DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC CAMPING LAW GETTING CLOSER

Pensacola Police are gearing up for a big change in October, when the new law banning people from camping on public property takes effect. PPD Chief Eric Randal says the law isn't really a criminal matter for those sleeping in public, but more of a civil process for businesses or citizens to force police agencies to enforce the ban. He says PPD has hired new Community Response Specialists that are able to work with the homeless to find ways to help them, they respond to certain calls with police officers. The state passed the public camping ban during the last legislative session -- it got the go-ahead from the state Supreme Court in June.