Buckhorn open to the possibility of allowing protesters to sleep in city park during RNC

Unlike many other American cities, the Tampa Police Department never allowed members of the public to sleep overnight in city-owned parks during the apex of the Occupy movement. Instead, the department compromised, allowing protesters in Curtis Hixon Park to sleep on the sidewalk in front of the park.

In December, the bulk of Occupy Tampa moved from downtown to West Tampa, where they were offered the opportunity to set up a camp at Voice of Freedom Park, privately owned by adult entrepreneur Joe Redner, on W. Main St.

But a little more than half a year from now, thousands of activists are expected to join Occupy Tampa when the Republican National Convention lands in Cigar City, and not all of those activists intend to stay in motels or with friends or family members. Some of them undoubtedly will want to sleep overnight in a park.

Might the city change its ordinance and allow park-sleeping for the convention? Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn says he's not certain just yet.

This article appears in Feb 9-15, 2012.