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Resident asks Pinellas Park to review park signage citing recent state trespass law changes
Summary
Logan Lopez, a nearby resident, asked the council to review signage at England Brothers Park, arguing recent legislative changes (HB 1447) and altered trespass statutes may be misapplied and could upgrade minor trespasses to felony charges; mayor and chief offered to take his information for follow-up.
During the May 12 public-comment period, Logan Lopez (2000 Gandy Boulevard North, St. Petersburg) asked the council to review signs posted at England Brothers Park that, he said, appear to elevate certain park trespasses to felony-level offenses under recent statutory changes.
Lopez referenced House Bill 1447 and related sections of Florida law, saying he was not a lawyer but that the statues in question (as he cited them) apply to "sensitive sites" such as airports or chemical manufacturers and to venues hosting more than 5,000 people. "I think that these signs are a misapplication of recent changes to the law… I would also ask if this was the actual intention was to upgrade the charges at this park to a felony level, what specifically makes England Brothers Park a sensitive site," Lopez said, asking the city to review how the signs are being used and why they appear at that park and not at other Pinellas Park recreation centers.
Mayor Sandra Lee Bradbury and chief-level staff thanked Lopez and invited him to provide contact information so staff could follow up. No council action was taken at the meeting; staff offered to investigate and discuss the matter with law enforcement and legal staff.
The city did not provide an immediate legal interpretation during the meeting; any determination or change to signage would follow staff review and legal counsel as necessary.
