What the heck!?

[Wolferz]

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/florida-couple-fined-threatened-jail-feeding-homeless-n103786

:hmmm:

[Flamebatter90]

But Daytona Beach Police Chief Mike Chitwood said the Jimenezes had been warned one week earlier to stop their weekly feeding sessions after local residents complained that some homeless people gathering in the park were defecating and urinating on the grounds, and that some were showing up drunk at dawn.

That's why.

[Jimbuna]

Seems a bit harsh on first reading but seeing the quote above and that below I can now understand why.

"We as a city have spent millions of dollars to turn that park into a place for families, kids and dog lovers," Chitwood said. "We have an ordinance that says when people want to perform acts of kindness or charity that they must coordinate with our local social service agencies.

"They were told (the previous Wednesday) that if they come back there, they would be cited and they could risk going to jail," Chitwood said. "There is a segment of the homeless population that is homeless by choice. I don't want to impugn them all. But some are homeless because they are sex offenders, substance abusers and bank robbers. That's why we ask (Good Samaritans) to coordinate with our social service agencies, because they know who needs to be served."

[fireftr18]

From time to time, I see an article about something similar. After more information comes out, there's always something involved that has nothing to do with the act itself, but the negative consequences of the chosen venue. No one can argue about feeding the homeless, but when a family oriented park is damaged and needs considerable cleaning as a result, then there is a problem.

[Rockstar]

It appears now its not so much about feeding the homeless. They seem more interested in drawing attention to themselves. Bunch of self righteous nincompoops.

[AVGWarhawk]

Jimenez, 52, a retired auto parts store manager. She and her husband, 60, a retired construction manager, operate New Smyrna Beach-based ministry called “Spreading the Word Without Saying a Word.”

They should spread the word(food) at their house. It is a nice act of kindness but the park was not created for food festivals. Churchs host food pantries and soup kitchens on church property. I suspect, if asked, a local church would provide a place weekly to host this event on their property.

The issue here is if a blind eye is turned on this event it sets a precedence for free-for-all-will.

[Wolferz]

One would think that a park would have comfort stations for the hungry to use.
I bet many of the dog owners don't pick up after their pets defecate and urinate.

I think it's just another case of those who don't want to see the homeless and starving anywhere near them. A town in Virginia kicked their homeless people to the curb, or rather to a facility on the outskirts of town where they were for all intents and purposes imprisoned and not allowed to leave unless they were going to work or interview for a job or get medical care. So much for freedom, eh?

Oh well. Too bad for them I guess. That's why I'm of the opinion that you're only as free as your wallet will allow.:hmmm:

Maybe they should send in a few railroad dicks to beat the crap out of those defecating hobos.

[AVGWarhawk]

One would think that a park would have comfort stations for the hungry to use.
I bet many of the dog owners don't pick up after their pets defecate and urinate.

I think it's just another case of those who don't want to see the homeless and starving anywhere near them. A town in Virginia kicked their homeless people to the curb, or rather to a facility on the outskirts of town where they were for all intents and purposes imprisoned and not allowed to leave unless they were going to work or interview for a job or get medical care. So much for freedom, eh?

Oh well. Too bad for them I guess. That's why I'm of the opinion that you're only as free as your wallet will allow.:hmmm:

Maybe they should send in a few railroad dicks to beat the crap out of those defecating hobos.

Comfort station for the hungry?

Here in my county the homeless beggers had gotten so bad a law was passed for panhandling. $500.00 or jail. Those begging were getting very aggressive with people. At malls, shopping centers and street corners. When do you call it a problem? The next day after the begging law was past not one begger was seen or has been seen since. The park in this case is park to play and enjoy. Not feed the hungry. These two should host the gathering at their house or local church.

[Onkel Neal]

I think it's just another case of those who don't want to see the homeless and starving anywhere near them. A town in Virginia kicked their homeless people to the curb, or rather to a facility on the outskirts of town where they were for all intents and purposes imprisoned and not allowed to leave unless they were going to work or interview for a job or get medical care. So much for freedom, eh?


Well, when one is asking for assistance, they do not get to dictate where, when, how. Beggars can't be....choosers.

[Wolferz]

Well, when one is asking for assistance, they do not get to dictate where, when, how. Beggars can't be....choosers.

I beg your pardon.:03:
Oh No! What do these guys want?

Unhand me!:huh:

[CCIP]

I've had some pretty unpleasant experiences with homeless people in Florida city parks. Honestly, I think the problem is partially that apparently everyone will stand up for rights of everyone to use public land, but actual organized, publically-funded space for homeless people is "communism" and is bad. Sorry, but 99% of homelessness is disgusting and shameful. Homeless people shouldn't be in a first world nation's city parks, period, and it's important for everyone to contribute to doing something rather than complain about it and make cheap PR. I support the fine in this case, but I also support better and more extensive use of taxpayer money to actually set up better management of this kind of thing - there's lots of good, working models for this around the world.

[Wolferz]

I've had some pretty unpleasant experiences with homeless people in Florida city parks. Honestly, I think the problem is partially that apparently everyone will stand up for rights of everyone to use public land, but actual organized, publically-funded space for homeless people is "communism" and is bad. Sorry, but 99% of homelessness is disgusting and shameful. Homeless people shouldn't be in a first world nation's city parks, period, and it's important for everyone to contribute to doing something rather than complain about it and make cheap PR. I support the fine in this case, but I also support better and more extensive use of taxpayer money to actually set up better management of this kind of thing - there's lots of good, working models for this around the world.

The government tried a little program called government housing. The tenants turned them into grassless slums rife with crime. Many of the buildings have since been torn down and no new ones were built. It might have been better to house these people in FEMA trailer parks. They have lots of trailers just sitting in a field somewhere. There's also much that could be done to house the homeless using shipping containers. Right Neal? :03: Or we could send them to district 9.

I'll be fine as long as nobody tries to steal my refrigerator box and my Wal-Mart shopping cart.

[Wolferz]

Comfort station for the hungry?
Just a polite term for a toilet facility.
He who eats does need to dump the waste products.

The homeless were probably seen defecating on the grounds because they couldn't get past the homosexuals to reach a toilet stall. Just as well. There is never any striking paper in there anyhoo.:hmmm:

[AVGWarhawk]

Just a polite term for a toilet facility.
He who eats does need to dump the waste products.



Stop feeding them. Problem solved. :)

[Wolferz]

Stop feeding them. Problem solved. :)

FEMA camp? I hear they have the guillotines installed and ready to use.:huh:

[Jimbuna]

FEMA camp? I hear they have the guillotines installed and ready to use.:huh:

Only in the French speaking quarter.

[Cybermat47]

Everytime I see a homeless person, I cry a bit inside. You think of poverty as something that happens in other places, but it's at the very heart of countries like Australia and the US.

[Wolferz]

Everytime I see a homeless person, I cry a bit inside. You think of poverty as something that happens in other places, but it's at the very heart of countries like Australia and the US.

It's all just Darwinism in action.
Survival of the fittest.
Granted it is a sad commentary when the fittest turn a blind eye but still proclaim in a loud voice to be Christians who love their less fortunate brothers and sisters.

Every day will be Sunday by and by but those dirty mongrels who poop in our park will not be invited to Sunday dinner any time soon.:nope:

[Betonov]

We learned to tell apart genuine hobos and drug addicts/drunks.
A genuine hobo is a must in every city. Sounds mean of me, I know. I'd rather see everyone had a home and a job.
But still, they ad flavor to a city, a part of it's heartbeat. And they're usually unintrusive. There was one in Ljubljana when I studied there. For a euro you'd find out the weather, where the cops are, what's going on in the town...
He didn't beg, he sold his services as a mobile news outlet.

[Wolferz]

We learned to tell apart genuine hobos and drug addicts/drunks.
A genuine hobo is a must in every city. Sounds mean of me, I know. I'd rather see everyone had a home and a job.
But still, they ad flavor to a city, a part of it's heartbeat. And they're usually unintrusive. There was one in Ljubljana when I studied there. For a euro you'd find out the weather, where the cops are, what's going on in the town...
He didn't beg, he sold his services as a mobile news outlet.

It's ok if they provide a service rather than standing around with the jingling cup demanding alms.
Some here brave traffic to wash your windshield for you.:up:

[Platapus]

There is a right way and a wrong way to help the homeless. The wrong way is to violate an ordinance. I am sure there were multiple legal ways this couple could have helped the homeless. But for some reason they choose not to do it and instead decided to violate and continue to violate a law.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions. However good intentions does not trump laws.

[Wolferz]

There is a right way and a wrong way to help the homeless. The wrong way is to violate an ordinance. I am sure there were multiple legal ways this couple could have helped the homeless. But for some reason they choose not to do it and instead decided to violate and continue to violate a law.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions. However good intentions does not trump laws.

Laws are only for providing a judicial recourse for meting out a punishment when the law is broken or ignored. I'm sure there are plenty of people who hold barbecues in the park in question and they probably share the food with friends and relatives and maybe even the odd stranger. Should they be hammered by the long arm of the law too? Likely not as long as uncle Barney doesn't take a dump in the bushes.
If the homeless have no right to enjoy the park in their own way (getting a free meal from a generous couple of retired residents) then the law becomes hypocritical. Kind of like your signature wouldn't you agree? The only people who should be infracted in this instance is the ones who decided to defecate in a public place which seems to be the crux of the matter. So a couple of indigents chose to ruin it for their peers and the city decided to punish all of them by demanding a cease and desist order against the two benefactors in order to run all the hobos out at once.
Not exactly the Christian attitude by any stretch of the imagination. Just more asphalt for hell's thoroughfare.:yep:

[Sailor Steve]

I've been homeless. Here in Utah there are Rescue Missions, Homeless Shelters and free food kitchens in different places. There is a big breakfast served under a freeway onramp every Sunday, and a group who serves food in a local park on Tuesdays. As far as I know both have paid permits and are legal. Salt Lake has a lot of services.

[Wolferz]

I've been homeless. Here in Utah there are Rescue Missions, Homeless Shelters and free food kitchens in different places. There is a big breakfast served under a freeway onramp every Sunday, and a group who serves food in a local park on Tuesdays. As far as I know both have paid permits and are legal. Salt Lake has a lot of services.


All legal beagle as long as they "pay" for a permit to provide charity? Oy vey!:hmmm: Methinks Caeser doth protest too much to get what is his.
Like I said before, "you're only as free as your wallet will allow."
I'm so sorry that you found yourself homeless Steve and I'm happy that your situation has improved.:)
I don't know the circumstances that landed you in that situation so I won't judge.
It's sad that there are so many, with so much that erroneously think they are qualified to judge those who are less fortunate. I think that today if Jesus held another sermon on the mount and fed the masses who showed up to listen, they would all get arrested for an illegal assembly and possibly get their heads thumped in the process.:yep:
The Chitwood city council would have been better off if they had spent those millions of taxpayer dollars assisting their homeless instead of wasting it on a park with selective usage rules.:-? Maybe the homeless would be accepted there, as long as they're on a leash?:stare: