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Residents, businesses concerned about homeless camp in Kissimmee

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Some Kissimmee residents and business owners are concerned about a homeless camp that's popped up in their neighborhood.

The city of Kissimmee wants to move the campers out, but it needs to figure out what it's going to do with the land.

The camp is in a wooded area, between MLK Jr. Boulevard and Osceola Regional Medical Center.

Some residents said if the city doesn't act soon, they'll do it themselves.

One business owner really wants it done and is willing to take matters into his own hands.

From the outside it just looks like a wooded area, but residents said the place is filthy with trash everywhere, and old clothes and furniture.

A few years ago when the city was looking to make road improvements, officials negotiated with several of the property owners to acquire the necessary right of way.

Officials said they made a deal with a business owner and told him whatever land they didn't use, he could have back.

He's now so fed up with the mess, he's asking the city to either clean it up or give it to him and he will.

People WFTV talked to in the area said they believe homeless camps are dangerous.

"Because they're out in the open and anything can happen, and it's not safe for the people who live in this area," said Ann Fraser, who works in the area.

The owner of the business didn't want to be identified. The city also said there are plans in the works for a new road that could affect the land.

"I think it's a good idea, if he's going to clean it up," Fraser said.

But if that doesn't happen, either the city or the business owner, once he acquires the land, can clean up the camp.