Woman reportedly seen urinating outside Coral Springs plaza is taken to a mental health facility after police respond
Coral Springs, Florida – A woman was taken into custody and later transported to a mental health facility earlier this month after police say she exposed herself and urinated in front of a tutoring center in a busy Coral Springs plaza.
According to the Coral Springs Police Department, the incident occurred on June 2 outside the Lakeview Center, a shopping plaza located on Coral Ridge Drive. Witnesses reported seeing the woman, later identified as 57-year-old Valerie Denise Flowers, engaging in the act during broad daylight, in full view of nearby businesses and passersby.
A witness told responding officers that she saw Flowers pull down her pants and urinate in the grass just outside the tutoring center. The witness took a photo of the incident and later provided a sworn statement to police, according to the official report.
Authorities said that Flowers, who has no known address, had previously been banned from the plaza. Officers confirmed there was an active trespass warning already in place against her. Because of this, they took her into custody at the scene without further incident.
While processing the arrest, officers assessed Flowers and determined that she met the criteria for the Baker Act, which allows individuals who may be experiencing a mental health crisis to be taken into custody for evaluation and treatment. She was transported to the Fort Lauderdale Behavioral Health Center for further mental health assessment and care.
Flowers was charged with two offenses — trespassing after warning and exposure of sex organs. Police noted in their report that she has a history of previous calls for service, suggesting that this was not the first time law enforcement had interacted with her.
“Due to the ongoing concerns regarding her mental health and repeated contact with police, we recommend that the case be referred to mental health court,” officers stated in the report.
At this time, it is unclear whether Flowers will face formal prosecution or if her case will move through a specialized court system designed to handle mental health-related offenses.
The incident has sparked concern among some local residents and business owners, particularly those who work in or near the Lakeview Center. However, officials say that the decision to invoke the Baker Act was made to ensure the woman receives the help and treatment she may need.
The Coral Springs Police Department has not released further information regarding the outcome of the evaluation or whether additional charges could be filed.
