"Feeding the homeless: Act of charity or a crime?" Associated Press November 06, 2014
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — To Arnold Abbot, feeding the homeless in a public park was an act of charity. But to the city of Fort Lauderdale, the 90-year-old man was committing a crime.
Arnold and two ministers were arrested last weekend as they handed out food. 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.
So it's all another $tate-$ponsored ca$h grab, huh?
‘‘One of the police officers said, ‘Drop that plate right now,’ as if I were carrying a weapon,’’ Abbott said.
The arrests have not deterred the group. Ministers Dwayne Black and Mark Sims were at church Wednesday, preparing meals for a feeding at a park later that night.
Police said that the men were not taken into custody, and that they were given notices to appear in court, where the matter will ultimately be decided by a judge.
The ordinance that restricts public feeding took effect Friday. It is one of five laws dealing with the homeless that the city passed in May.
City officials did not immediately comment Wednesday. Fort Lauderdale police spokeswoman DeAnna Greenlaw said those arrested ‘‘were well aware of the changes to the ordinance and its effective date.’’
Didn't the Germans say something like that after Nuremberg?
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Also see: Modern Day Robin Hoods
To $erve and protect?
