Arrested for feeding Homeless?!

2014-11-08T11:42:39-05:00

Has anyone heard, or followed the story of the 90 something year old man in Florida that was ARRESTED for feeding homeless people in Florida?!?! How dare we (normal citizens) help out the needie?! Why don't we instead send BILLIONS of dollars to foreign countries for humanitarian aid? Come one! Are you kidding me? I found this absolutely repulsive! Please give me your take on the situation. Are we really that dumb as a country that we are going to start arresting people for feeding people that might not otherwise get food? Are we really going to treat our homeless like zoo animals and place signs every where that state "Don't feed the homeless"?!

http://patch.com/florida/sarasota/90-year-old-man-arrested-again-feeding-homeless-0

90-Year-Old Man Arrested Again for Feeding the Homeless | Sarasota, FL Patch

Sarasota, FL - The action violates a recently passed law in Fort Lauderdale the bans public handouts to the needy. | Patch

Response by Sgt Richard Graziano made Nov 12 at 2014 4:14 PM

2014-11-12T16:14:49-05:00

Unfortunately far too many people feel that those who are homeless are here because of a moral or spiritual failing of their own fault. But the horrible fact is that there are millions of veterans of all ages who are homeless, many millions more are homeless due to a string of unlucky circumstances (tens of millions of Americans are one or two paychecks away from being homeless) and there are untold numbers who are homeless due to mental disease. We need to stop thinking of homeless as just nothing but a bunch of drunks or druggies who deserve what they get and really look deeply into the problem instead of passing laws that are meant to only make sure that the homeless are forced to go elsewhere. Politically there is a penchant for local officials to keep their own homeless population hidden from view by making it unlawful to sleep in public areas and also to make it unlawful to do what this kind man was doing by providing them with food or comfort. This helps to keep the illusion that their policies are great for the community when they aren't if you really look at what those policies do to the working poor and lower middle-class of our nation. Sadly, too many in power have convinced many that the unfettered search of profits is more patriotic than taking care of our fellow citizens. Yes, we have homeless and those on welfare who are lazy and who are gaming the system, but that number is hugely less than what many would lead you to believe. The other remarkable think to me is that many that push this view and who profess to be so dang patriotic did all they could to avoid serving in the Armed Forces and amazingly also profess to a Christian viewpoint. We have lost our way and there is a huge lack of any type of empathy what-so-ever in this society.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2014 4:42 PM

2014-11-12T16:42:13-05:00

Some homeless are there because they want to be but most others don't. Some's behavior is the reason and for others, it is caused by mental illness, legal issues or medical reasons that caused them to be broke. We do not know why people end up where they do but we can be civil and considerate of the needy.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2014 4:50 PM

2014-11-12T16:50:20-05:00

If the assumption is that it cannot happen to you (not you Jeremy) but to anyone is to live a sheltered life where you were blessed not to be burdened with any myriad of woes. Be thankful and not self-righteous.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2014 6:00 PM

2014-11-12T18:00:13-05:00

Thanks for bringing this to our attention, SSG Jeremy Siebenaller. This seems to me like a prime example of government run amok. Holy cow! There must have been debate and thought (I hope, at least) that went into the passing of that law, but it does seem to defy logic and a human sense of charity. "Drop the plate" ... Classic and brutal.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2014 6:14 PM

2014-11-12T18:14:07-05:00

At one point, I was thinking to myself "If I had a lot of money to where I wouldn't know what to do with myself, what would I do" I was driving under a bridge and saw an older (not elder) guy under it, but he looked like he hadn't showered shaved or had his hair cut in a year or so. I thought you know what? I would buy a shelter that would allow people to get on their feet again and food. I would provide necessary means for a "makeover" and see what I could do to help them find a job. But the matter of fact is, there are way too many people that are homeless. And then there are those that disgust me by acting homeless and accepting money and not food. If theyre homeless why not just take the food. I understand sometimes however, that people really dont have a choice. I think the General population is losing sight on what it means to take care of each other and show compassion.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 26 at 2014 2:42 AM

2014-11-26T02:42:59-05:00

So many homeless will even go as far as to commit some ridiculous petty crime just to be locked up for a warm cell and a meal when it gets too cold. Desperation requires desperate actions at times. I'd like to know more about the circumstances that would bring about this law.

Response by SGT Suraj Dave made Nov 26 at 2014 6:27 AM

2014-11-26T06:27:05-05:00

Wow.... What are they trying to do? Get rid of homelessness by starving the needy? These are what are called Homeless Hate Law's. These food sharing law's are an Indirect ways to getting rid of homelessness (by starvation) by making it harder for people to help them. They think that the homeless make their city look "Dirty", so they drive them out by cutting their resources. They dont care if the homeless starve or move away, they just dont want the homeless making their cities look "Ugly".

Its similar to Maryland's gun law fiasco's. They cant ban guns (even though its obvious they want to), so they indirectly make it illegal so that its harder and much more expensive to own a gun, therefore discouraging gun ownership. Open Carry is illegal, and Conceal Carry is by permit, but the Conceal Carry Permit is a scam. They reject everyone, and just take the application fee for it. Guns are illegal to drive with (unless going to or from the range).... So the only place you can actually use a gun to defend yourself is your house. MD's interpretation of the 2nd Amendment is it only exists in your home I guess, but I am going off topic and this is besides the point.

As with my example above, I hope you understand what I mean by making some Indirectly illegal.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Dec 2 at 2014 9:29 PM

2014-12-02T21:29:17-05:00

There is a statute on the books that says they can not feed the homeless in the park. Our good brother just keeps on doing it because he feels, like most of us, that the statute is a turd.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2015 11:02 PM

2015-01-20T23:02:06-05:00

Near Duke University is a Barnes and Noble. There are also panhandlers who do not make a lot of money getting arrested because city of Durham officials are pricks. The subtext is that they do not want the area around Duke University to have poor people.

The truth is, most who donate are more than happy to. A Mexican family who begs for money for a hotel during the cold weather. It is like the Gestapo chasing off villains and they have to keep an eye out. Secondly, the city stalls and Duke University students hate the ordinances and so do many professors.

In a land of plenty we get brown-nosing bureaucrats in their expensive homes and their Mercedes while young people live in tents in the woods behind some retail outlets. Granted some use drugs but then again, it is that life. It is a vicious cycle and the very vulnerable feel miserable and need mental help many times.

The Open Table Ministries in Durham has a get together and serves food behind some bushes and a dilapidated road not too far from the Barnes and Noble. I have met people who needed help and got them to where they can help them, but many are housed in austere digs with onerous rules and the feeling that they will be back again.

I have seen so much in that 9 month period. I had promises by 9 to 5ers at the VA and then I see veterans who act judgmental like they could never be poor or even a criminal. I am careful not to do that. Afterall we are not like the terrorists but rather a chance for a life that includes the welfare of all our people.