Miami police force homeless people to move away from film set for 'Bad Boys 4' starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence

• Homeless people in Miami living in tents by the side of the road near filming of Bad Boys 4 starring Will Smith were forced to relocate by police
• The movie, approved by officials, is expected to contribute $20 million to the local economy
• The production spent $500,000 on police support but has faced criticism for displacing homeless individuals

Homeless people living on the street in tents in Miami, close to where actors Will Smith and Martin Lawrence have been shooting Bad Boys 4, say they have been moved from their encampment by police because of the ongoing production.

Several people told the Miami Herald how the officers insisted on moving them, together with all of their belongings.

‘It’s because of that new movie that’s filming,’ Matthew Williams, 44, told the newspaper. ‘They moved us because we were too close to their set. They didn’t want the fancy movie people from out of town seeing that homeless exist in Miami.’

The action movie, approved by local officials, is expected to bring a $20 million boost to the local economy.

Columbia Pictures set aside $500,000 to pay for additional police support in order to manage traffic during the four-day long film shoot in Miami.

Responding to the removal of homeless tents, City of Miami Police Officer Michael Vega noted how the erecting of such items on city property was illegal, and that officers were simply enforcing the law.

‘It is not that Miami Police doesn’t want them to see the homeless population,’ Vega said. ‘They can see it through all of downtown Miami.’

He said the group were camped in a restricted area accessible only to those approved by the film crew and insisted there was no intention to ‘hide the homeless’ from public view.

Before moving people along, police say they always they recommend shelters including Camillus House, the Chapman Partnership center, or Salvation Army.

The movie, approved by officials, is expected to contribute $20 million to the local economy. Pictured, one of the exciting car chase scenes

Will Smith, left, and Martin Lawrence are seen walking across the street during filming

‘They’re offered to go to a shelter and if they refuse, then they have to leave the area,’ Vega said. ‘Before the officers tell them to move, they are offered help, and most refuse to accept it.’

Williams used to work as a line cook at a Bayside Marketplace restaurant before the cost of living expenses simply became too much.

Felicia Evans, 55, who has been homeless for the past nine months and who used to work as a nursing assistant said the experience had been challenging after finding all three recommended shelters were full, leaving limited options.

Despite seeking help from a caseworker, she has yet to secure shelter and faced difficulties sleeping in her tent fearing theft or harm.

She said homeless people were in urgent need of assistance.

‘We don’t have too many places to go. They’re filming for Will Smith, and we can’t go that way. It’s difficult. I don’t know what the next steps are going to be because all of the shelters are full,’ Evans said.

Recently, the city of Miami had to pay $300,000 in compensation to four homeless individuals after disposing of their belongings.

As part of the settlement, the city has now agreed to stop throwing away personal possessions instead temporarily storing them for owners to retrieve having first photographed them.

In terms of the movie, it has been exciting for locals and tourists alike visiting the area to catch glimpses of the film’s production, but it has also been causing some traffic headaches.

Busy streets have had to be shutdown at times to allow the crew and actors show shoot chase scenes.

The production has brought an economic boost to the area, providing a variety of jobs since production resumed February 26.

Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah had anticipated wrapping it up over the summer, but production was brought to an abrupt halt after the actors strike began last July.

Principal photography had been completed on the movie prior to the shutdown, but reshoots were required to complete the film.

Production is expected to wrap soon, and then the rush to edit will begin.

The beloved franchise has focused on the antics and investigations of narcotics officers Mike Lowry and Marcus Burnett as they take down some very dangerous criminals.

The film is set for release on June 7, 2024 despite being originally scheduled to be in theaters on July 3, 2019.

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