Undercover officers in Daytona Beach arrested 25 people at the homeless camp that grew outside a Volusia County government center.
The camp at the Volusia County Administration Center on Beach Street was dismantled Friday.
Detectives said of the 150 to 200 people were sleeping outside the building last week were criminals with violent pasts.
Police showed pictures and criminal history reports which listed multiple violent felony charges, arrests, and convictions.
"You heard about prostitution, you heard about drug dealing, you heard about beat downs, you heard about shakedowns, you heard about people who were not homeless," said Police Chief Mike Chitwood.
Police said over three days undercover officers captured video of brutal nights, with prostitution, extortion and one case where an old man suffered several beatings.
"He got knocked out. This wasn't people who were down and out in their luck, who needed a handout. There were a few of them in there, absolutely," said Chitwood.
Elton Cassady said he slept out there those nights. He said he didn't witness what detectives say happened.
"I ain't never see no drug activity,” said Cassady. “I've never smoked weed on the wall, never seen anybody smoking crystal meth or crack on the wall."
Police said the evidence is on camera, which they can't show us because of the risk of identifying officers. The homeless people also didn't know they were being recorded.
Cassady said he just needs the help and didn't cause any trouble.
"Why take advantage of the people that really need something?" asked Cassady.
Chitwood said there's a possibility they could show their evidence to the state attorney's office, which could bring formal charges.