Naughty Lobster owners urge council for more enforcement and support after persistent safety and sanitation issues

Owners of the Naughty Lobster restaurant told the Apopka City Council during public comment May 21 that ongoing homelessness‑related activity and repeated sanitation incidents near their restaurant have harmed staff safety, customer experience and their willingness to expand.

Christine Gonzales and Kara and Mike Rumplick, who own the business at 311 South Forest Avenue, said they have removed broken bottles, mattresses, clothing, feces and human urine from the public area in front of the restaurant and under a nearby bridge. Gonzales said employees witnessed a man defecating and urinating in public and that video footage was provided to Apopka Police; she said officers sometimes move people along but told her the city lacks authority when people are not on private property. “We continue to clean all areas around our restaurant on a daily basis…we're repeatedly told that there's nothing that can be done as the unhoused are free to sit, stand, and sleep wherever they wish as long as it's not on our property and that they're not breaking the law,” Gonzales said.

The speakers reported multiple calls to non‑emergency police — “roughly 4 to 5 times per month” in some periods — and inconsistent follow‑up; they described an incident in which an officer suggested they could trespass a person but the restaurant had not previously been informed of that avenue. They also reported thefts affecting employees and vandalism to property, including an occasion in which an American flag was removed, ignited and left burning on premises.

Gonzales asked for clearer guidance from city staff and police on options businesses have to secure their property and pursue trespass or other enforcement. She also said the business has video evidence and would be willing to share it with the council and mayor.

Council members and staff did not take immediate policy action during public comment, but the concerns were entered into the public record; the business owners asked for follow‑up from APD on enforcement options and on whether the city could provide more proactive outreach or services to address the underlying causes of recurring street homelessness in the area.