VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Starting Monday, a new pilot program is in effect in Daytona Beach, putting security officers on patrol along Beach Street between Orange Avenue and International Speedway Boulevard to keep people feeling safe along a downtown redevelopment area.

This pilot program will run six days a week for 60 days, and the cost for this program is a little under $25,000.

Officials with the city of Daytona Beach said they have been working on the program since last October because Daytona Beach business owners recently said they have seen an increase in the homeless population, which is disturbing customers. 

“There were some complaints that were going on with the business owners whether it was trespassing or just not feeling as safe as they desire to and the goal is to make sure our businesses thrive in our city, and the only way they can thrive is if they feel safe," Daytona Beach Redevelopment and Neighborhood Services Project Manager Phebe Fuqua said.

The program starts less than a week after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB1365, a new law that will ban sleeping or camping in public spaces as of Oct. 1.

“So we want to make certain that the businesses in that area can feel the rush of energy that is taking place in the park on the weekends. That park is getting a thousand people a day. And we want those people to feel comfortable when they walk across the street to the businesses," Mayor Derrick Henry said.

The state law also promises greater access to services for the homeless population with substance abuse and mental health issues.

According to a bill analysis, Florida’s homeless population is about 30,000 people right now.