Posted on 06/04/2014 9:20:55 PM PDT by coldphoenix
The next time you can be bothered enough to feed a homeless person you might find yourself at odds with the law. Yes, you have to be “bothered” because you are under no obligation to help your fellow mankind, who has fallen on hard times and on harder concrete slabs.
That’s right, because if you help homeless people in cities like Daytona Beach, Florida; Raleigh, N.C.; Myrtle Beach, S.C.; and Birmingham, Alabama you could be fined, physically removed and/or be threatened with time behind bars – and they have actually done it.
In fact, 33 cities across the United States have implemented similar policies, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless.
Recently, there were reports that a couple, Debbie and Chico Jimenez, were fined $2000 by the police just because they were feeding the homeless people in Dayton Beach Park on a weekly basis. The couple and two other colleagues refused to pay the ticket and the police eventually dismissed it, but still, it proves that the city is intent on making criminals out of homeless people and also, because of guilt by association, those that try to help them.
The argument that was posed by the city was that the efforts being done by the couple actually worsened homelessness. They claim that by giving food to the people in the parks, Debbie and Chico are coaxing them away from city-run, centralized programs and when they were handing the food out some of the homeless people mistreated the park and frightened other patrons.
Of course, feeding the homeless shouldn’t just be seen as the ultimate solution as it doesn’t address the underlying issue. Robert Marbut, a national homeless consultant makes a point when he says, “You’re never going to get anywhere arresting, priests, pastors and imams in the street.”
But, he also thinks a midway should be found to address the issue.
“Give me a name of one person who got a job because they were fed,” Marbut said. “Feeding alone or giving out clothing or camping equipment doesn’t address the core issues of being homeless.”
No more than you could in the middle of a road. The point still stands that the government is making charity harder, not easier. Just look at the FDA restrictions on what restaurants can give to the hungry. It has to meet their ‘healthy guidelines’.
I could open up a stand on any sidewalk in any borough tomorrow without anyone’s say-so and no cop would bother me. Know why?
It’s better to give them food, clothing or blankets than money since it won’t be mispent on cigarettes, booze or drugs.
But what really needs to happen is for them to be taught usefull skills. What ever happened to good vocational education and apprenticeship programs? Of course some also need mental help, which includes the shockingly high number of homeless vets with PTSD.
This subject is dumped here by DUers every couple of weeks.
Please continue.
I’ve stated my position.
There was a time when cities and towns had vagrancy laws.
Very true, and I make it a point to never lightly give the homeless money. But I have helped at a couple of soup kitchens in my lifetime.
Conservatives are truly the most generous people in America, and while some homeless people are there by choice, there are many who, like you say, have suffered greatly serving this nation. Conservatives like to talk about there being no need for federal welfare programs, and we should show this through our practice, encouraging responsible and well-thought out charity wherever the need arises.
So far as I know you cannot vend in NY, DC and other major cities without a permit. Perhaps NY has some relaxation of provisions for Veterans. In DC about 5,000 lower income street vendors were pushed out of business by collusion of big business and government with a little graft thrown in for good measure.
Most cities require people selling cooked food to do a day or two of safe handling training. Helps keep the level of food poisoning and death down. Failure to have a certified food handling supervisor in attendance is one reason that restaurants get shut for violations, along with rats, mice, cold water only, warm refrigerators, etc
you have a point!
Giving them fiat dollars isn’t illegal (YET)
Do we see an agenda encroaching on us - denying our Christian call do do unto others -
Only Big Bro can decide, right? We are just to give it all to them to distribute to those they deem worthy.
freedom of association maybe? I always offer to buy dinner for panhandlers that are looking for money for “food”. One time a very well dressed and well spoken black guy and I had Dennys at 2am... one time a supposedly stranded active duty military guy in San Antonio “looking for bus fare”... most of them just decline and “go hungry”.
And you don’t get to chose that your going to dispense at the top of the steps at the busiest subway station.
Your statement very well could be made by a statist speaking of the individual versus the collective.
Seriously.
The Despot of NYC Mike Bloomberg started this and I said just watch: This is going to spread, and it did. Whatever the midget fascist does the rest of the libs follow.
Since the civil war, disabled veterans have been free to vend on the sidewalks of New York, unless the last two mayors changed that.
Guilty as charged. Please come and get me you Federal Fascists! “But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:3-4.” Everything moral is now illegal, and everything immoral is legal. Francis Schaeffer: when there are no absolutes to govern society, society becomes the absolutes.” I never thought I would live to see this. Stand up America; your leaders are leading you into bankruptcy, third world status, slavery, and perdition.
Am I allowed to have lunch with a friend in those cities? How about a bunch of friends?
We’re importing illegals to do that work for us.
No more food stamps?
Be careful of what is in your heart, and don’t ever assume misfortune cannot befall you.
I make my own decisions on who I help and who I don’t. I don’t need self-appointed nannies to tell me that.
As I recall, mental institutions were previously administered by the medical profession. Do you have a problem with that?
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