Tag Archives: Homeless

Hollywood Community Court Celebrates One Year Anniversary, Holds 600+ Hearings

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Judge Corey Amanda Cawthon presides over Hollywood Community Court

The 17th Judicial Circuit Court is celebrating the one year anniversary of its Community Court in Hollywood. The Community Court program partners with local groups to addresses issues related to homelessness. The program serves all of Broward County.

Judge Corey Cawthon presides over the Hollywood Community Court, while Judge Betsy Benson handles cases in Pompano Beach and Judge Florence Taylor Barner handles Community Court in Fort Lauderdale.

Here is the press release from the 17th Judicial Circuit Court:

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Hollywood Community Court – a problem-solving court created to provide alternatives to jail for low-level misdemeanor crimes while connecting the homeless with services – celebrated its one-year anniversary this week.

The court, funded by a $532,305 federal grant, was established in January 2024. To date, to fledging court has served more than 330 individuals, including more than 30 families and held over 600 hearings and nine graduations representing 37 years of combined homelessness for individuals who are now off the street.

“Community Court represents an opportunity to address the challenges and issues surrounding homelessness,” said Judge Corey Amanda Cawthon, who presides in Hollywood Community Court. “It enables and empowers those experiencing homelessness to take back control of their lives, to get off the street, and to give back through service to the community.”

The City of Hollywood on Feb. 19th issued a proclamation honoring the court’s one-year anniversary which stated, “By focusing on compassion and tailored solutions, the court has strengthened community cohesion and reaffirmed the City’s commitment to public safety, social justice and resilience.”

Hollywood Community Court meets every other Tuesday at The Caring Place, 2056 Scott Street.

“It’s important to recognize all of our service providers who have been working in partnership with us over the past year to provide services for the defendants and the community at large,” Judge Cawthon added.

The 17th Judicial Circuit Court also conducts community court at 18 NW First Ave. in Fort Lauderdale and at the Annie L. Weaver Health Center, 2011 NW Third Ave., Pompano Beach. 

Judge Florence Taylor Barner presides weekly on Wednesdays in Fort Lauderdale and co-presides with Judge Betsy Benson in Pompano Beach every other Thursday.

Fort Lauderdale Community Court was established in 2019 with funding from a $200,000 federal grant. Pompano Community Court was established in 2022 and was awarded a $716,876 federal grant last year.

Under the Community Court program, local community-based organizations partner with the court to provide housing, substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and other social support at no cost to the grant. Additionally, the Broward Sheriff’s Office facilitates community service opportunities for participants as ordered by the court. Participants who complete the requirements of their court-ordered program have their eligible misdemeanor cases dismissed while gaining the benefit of the services obtained through the program. 

Hollywood’s Community Court is a collaborative effort involving the 17thJudicial Circuit and the City of Hollywood.

Growing Homeless Takeover On Second Floor Of West Regional Library Scares Off Families, Plantation City Council Candidate Wayne Clark Calls For Real Leadership On Issue

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The growing homeless problem in the City of Plantation has spread inside the West Regional Library. Over the last two months, REDBROWARD has documented the homeless encampment at the Broward County West Regional complex on Broward Boulevard. A large collection of shopping carts, bags and containers surround the bus depot while homeless individuals sleep inside the nearby parking garage. Since last Monday, the West Regional Library is the location for early voting.

Last week, H. Wayne Clark, a Republican running for Plantation City Council Group 5, shared his plan to keep Broward County and Fort Lauderdale City Officials from building homeless encampments near Plantation. REDBROWARD reported how Broward County Mayor Nan Rich wants to build multiple pallet home encampments in Broadview Park. This portion of unincorporated Broward lies across the street from Plantation’s Country Club Estates neighborhood.

Today, Wayne Clark shared how a mother and her children tried to use the library’s computer center on the second floor of the library. The mother encounter numerous homeless individuals sleeping inside at tables. Feeling unsafe, the mother told Clark she was going to another library.

REDBROWARD visited the library on Tuesday morning. There were at least a dozen homeless individuals on the second floor. Some were sleeping in chairs. Two individuals sat a table surrounded by two wheeled carts filled with their belongings.

Clark told REDBROWARD that residents tell him they are concerned about crime.

Several voters said they brought their concerns to Clark’s opponent, Democrat Louis Reinstein.

One voter told REDBROWARD that Reinstein said there is no solution. Another said Reinstein claimed the new State law banning public encampments did not take affect until January. The law went into effect October 1st.

On Facebook, Councilman Reinstein told a moderator he could not discuss the matter due to the Sunshine Law.

The Sunshine Law does not prevent politicians from answering questions on social media.

Councilman Louis Reinstein did not respond to our request for comment on the homeless issue confronting the City of Plantation.