Escambia Sheriff and Orange Beach Mayor Clash Over Homeless Drop-Offs in Pensacola

Escambia County, FL (NewsRadio 92.3) -- A public dispute between Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons and Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon is drawing attention to what Simmons says is a pattern of Alabama law enforcement agencies dropping homeless individuals off in Pensacola — and then leaving.

Simmons posted photos and body camera footage to Facebook showing an Orange Beach police officer dropping a homeless man off at Waterfront Mission, giving him twenty dollars, and driving away. Simmons says the incident is not isolated — telling Channel 3 he has heard reports of dozens, possibly hundreds, of similar drop-offs involving multiple agencies. He says deputies witnessed this latest incident firsthand.

Kennon disputes that characterization — saying the man asked to be taken to Pensacola and the officer was simply trying to help. Kennon says he was unaware of any prior complaints from Escambia County and believes the situation could have been resolved with a phone call rather than a social media post.

Simmons pushed back on that account — saying his office had already attempted to address the issue privately before going public. He says homelessness is already straining local resources and argues other communities should not shift the burden onto Escambia County taxpayers. Simmons says the body camera footage he released tells a different story than the one Kennon is presenting.

The dispute highlights a broader tension over how coastal communities in Alabama and Florida manage homeless populations — particularly as the summer tourist season drives increased pressure on services like Waterfront Mission. Simmons says his county is tired of absorbing what he describes as other communities' problems on Escambia County taxpayers' dime.