Florida man arrested for feeding homeless in public park

“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”

But hold off on the hungry - they make the place look untidy.

The government won't feed them, so I don't know who the 'pubs think is going to do the job. Or maybe they are upset they are keeping the homeless alive.

survival of the fittest hey? How cruel. I don't see how a state can ban people from handing out food. But handing out money to them is okay?

What kind of people "criminalize homelessness?" Compassionate conservatives?

we'd rather have 'em committing crimes to get that food! move along, hobo! we don't take too kindly to your type here... this is just utter foolishness. if only they hadn't done away with the (admittedly inadequate) institutional mental health system. damn the infernal they!

Breaking News: Man arrested for feeding the poor. 5 loaves and 2 fishes held as evidence.

Speechless.

Maybe they might contemplate trying TNR. It works with cats, and it's OK to feed the ones with nicks in their ears.

residents and businesses worry that their neighborhoods will become magnets for the homeless

So instead of trying to help people get back on their feet and off the streets, let's just shove 'em off our streets. It don't matter how many homeless there are or how much they suffer, just so long as they don't do it where we can see them. Shame on Fort Lauderdale and the other 30-plus cities who think homeless veterans should starve. I wonder if the military recruiters in those cities (over 20 in Fort Lauderdale alone) warn applicants what they face when they get back.

@SimondB: Excellent!

Your few words say it all.

What an absolute disgrace. What kind of people make feeding the homeless a crime? And threatening an 90 year old man? Shame on the authorities.

Welcome to the rightist future.

The rescue of drowning African would-be immigrants to Europe has been stopped, now this.

Turn your back on Christ/socialism and this is what you get.

They'll be machine-gunning unmarried mothers next; Margaret Atwood has seen it all coming.

Shameful that elected officials would even dream up such a law. Lawyers at work again.

I remember a chaplain saying to a few homeless men one time that he was no better than them. He said that the only difference between himself and them is that their lives had gotten out of control. These people on the streets are someone's children, parents, siblings, parents. You just can't treat people as if they have no value.

I applaud these pastors. The Scriptures tell us to help those in need.

No kissing, no smocking, and no feeding in public places... wild wild west is gone and now it's become heaven for bureaucrats.

Sincerely hope there is sufficient backlash to see this changed.

Florida man arrested for feeding homeless in public park

Yet the money has In God We Trust print on it.

Sincerely hope there is sufficient backlash to see this changed.

Should add,

And the people responsible forcibly made homeless. Aid from current friends and relatives denied.

Have a reality TV camera crew follow them around for a while too. Proceeds can go to helping the other homeless.

The place where they are cooking the food looks good. Why not invite them there?

Or, what about a daily block party?

The GOP maintains that the unfortunate rely too much on government assistance which was once provided by private charities, so don't worry - uh, what, wait? Okay, screw the poor.

Disgusting, that is so sad.

What kind of people "criminalize homelessness?" Compassionate conservatives?

Did you know that the Mayor and city commissioners are democrats?

There are similar stories in some parts of Tokyo.

Then it should met with the same disdain.

Maybe they might contemplate trying TNR. It works with cats, and it's OK to feed the ones with nicks in their ears.

I hope you aren't serious, Cleo. Human beings have a right to procreate at their choosing.

Yet the money has In God We Trust print on it.

Exactly! That's what the city evidently wants the homeless to do!

They were charged with breaking a new ordinance restricting public feeding of the homeless, and each faces up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.

Lovely. I suppose the next logical step is to outlaw poverty, too? I think these law makers should be required to sleep on a park bench for a week themselves.

Stories like this are why I refuse to spend my tourist money in Florida.In years past, living in Canada, a Florida vacation was something to look forward to. But not any more..the place is a nuthouse.

I mean seriously, they are treating homeless people like pigeons that you are forbidden to feed?

Outlawing a good deed? Arresting someone for being kind? Making being homeless an offence? How about allowing the homeless to sleep in dedicated sheltered units where they can be safe and warm?

This seems appropriate:

"At this festive season of the year, Mr Scrooge, ... it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the Poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir." "Are there no prisons?"

"Plenty of prisons..."

"And the Union workhouses." demanded Scrooge. "Are they still in operation?"

"Both very busy, sir..."

"Those who are badly off must go there."

"Many can't go there; and many would rather die."

"If they would rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population."

@Thunderbird2, as the season of giving approaches, I find your quote from 'A Christmas Carol' spot-on. It's my favorite story, at any time of year.

For I was hungry, and you gave me food: I was thirsty, and you gave me drink: I was a stranger, and you took me in:

Matthew 25:35

Not religious at all but isn't that what Jesus did?

But to crucify a 90-year-old is a bit rough.

The place where they are cooking the food looks good. Why not invite them there?

All well and good, but how are they to get there?