Polk Sheriff Grady Judd vows squatters will be arrested and taken to jail under his watch

BARTOW, Fla. – Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, responding to a New York City couple being sued by “squatters,” solidified the unannounced guests would have been arrested and taken to jail immediately under his watch in Florida during an appearance on Fox Business.

“If those folks had lived in Polk County, with that million dollar house, and squatters had gone there, we would have gone there and arrested them, and have taken them to jail immediately,” Judd said.

Since allegedly taking up shack in the couple’s home, the owners have racked up more than $4,000 in legal bills fighting the lawsuit.

Judd, left baffled by the situation, wondered how the homeowners were suspects and not victims in the case.

“In Florida, it would have been a different story,” Judd said. “Especially in my county.”

Located in Central Florida, Judd was elected as Polk County Sheriff in 2004. With the department since 1972, he began as a dispatcher before rising through the ranks from Sergeant to Colonel.

“Something tells me me that squatters will not be targeting Polk County residences with our new law being enforced by Sheriff Grady Judd,” DeSantis said in response to Judd’s appearance.

Drawing a hard-line stance, Judd offered advice to states holding lenient laws benefiting squatters.

“My recommendation is for the law enforcement officers to go there and get documentation that the owners did not enter into a lease agreement, or a contract for sale, when the homeowner can say I don’t know these people, I’ve never entered into an agreement, then that becomes trespassing, or burglary, or theft,” Judd said.

Judd also affirmed “squatting” was not a major problem in Polk County.

“On the few occasions that they’ve tried that silliness here, we go there, determine the owner is really the owner and lock the suspects up,” Judd said.

In summing up the problem, Judd compared the issue to a person parking their car and leaving the windows down, only to have someone take it and needing a court order to get it back.

Judd ridiculed the situation as “nonsense” and called on law enforcement to lock up the unwanted guests. His assessment was even picked up an unsuspecting ally, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

“My understanding is that this is obviously a local issue, we are certainly tracking that issue,” Jean-Pierre said. “The rights of property owners and renters must be protected. And we believe that ultimately what needs to happen is the local government needs to make sure that they address this and they take action.”

Backing the White House’s sentiment, Judd acknowledged squatting as a local problem.

“It is a statewide issue and a local issue. Quite frankly, I’m just amazed because it’s never even been a question in this county in the state of Florida,” Judd said. “Now, we’ve clarified the law because there is a civil process to get people out of your homes.”

“There’s also a criminal aspect to this because people don’t have the right to move into your empty house or dummy up some document saying ‘Well, I’ve contracted with them for sale or I’ve contracted for a lease agreement with the owner say, Look, I don’t know you. I’ve never seen this contract. I didn’t sign it,'” he said.

Recently, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed anti-squatter legislation to combat individuals who illegally reside in a house that they do not own or pay rent for. The law specifically allows law enforcement to remove squatters who can’t produce a notarized lease signed by the landowner or proof that they are paying rent for the property.

“If you want to be safe, move to Florida. If you want to live in one of those crazy environments, somebody else can live in your house,” Judd said.