Don't even THINK about giving your Doggie Bag to a homeless person. Or you might spend 6 months in Jail.
As if Sunny.org isn't doing enough to ruin Fort Lauderdale's reputation, now the City has passed an ordinance thats makes it a crime to give food a homeless person. The issue has gained National attention, as the story of Fort Lauderdale Police giving citations to a 90yo man and 2 pastors for feeding the homeless has hit CNN, USA Today and all of the major news networks.
Contrary to the Networks' shoddy reporting, no-one was taken into custody. But they were not allowed to provide the meals. The City has been after 90yo "Chef Arnold" since the 90's, when Arnold sued the city after they stopped him from serving food to the homeless at the beach.
Jack Seiler said of the Homeless "Providing them with a meal and keeping them in that cycle on the street is not productive". While Seiler's words aren't as sinister as they may seem; the clear goal of the City's actions is simply to drive the Homeless out of the city. They've even allocated funds to buy them a one-way bus ticket. They don't care where they go; as long as they go.
The Ordinance is Ill Conceived
This supposed "well-meaning" ordinance is simply ill-conceived. It's typical government overreach; laws designed to effect a certain behavior. These types of ordinances haven't worked in other cities, and they won't work here.
Frankly, some of the ordinances passed make sense. There's no reason to allow people to panhandle or to sleep on public benches. But if I buy a pizza and hand it to a group of homeless people I'm committing a crime? Really?
The food safely issue is largely a canard. The ordinance is not designed to be practical; it's designed to be so overbearing that only city funded facilities can possibly comply. Hot Dog stands and food trucks can't comply with these ordinances, but somehow people trying to give some food to homeless people can?
The Ordinance
Outdoor Food Distribution Center- (OFDC). Shall be subject to the following:
i. If a dining area is provided, it shall meet all state, county and city requirements for the proposed use.
ii. Shall not be closer than 500 feet from another Food Distribution Center.
iii. Shall not be closer than 500 feet from a residential property as defined in the
ULDR.
iv. Shall provide restroom facilities, portable toilets or other similar facilities for persons
preparing and serving food as well as for the persons being served food.
v. Shall provide equipment and procedures for the lawful disposal of waste and
wastewater at the location.
vi. Shall provide equipment and procedures at the location for hand washing.
vii. Shall provide written consent from the property owner to conduct that activity on the property.
viii. Shall have one person, who will be present at the location at all times that food is being prepared and served, who has received Food Service Manager Certification under Section 509.039, Florida Statutes.
ix. Shall have adequate storage of food at a temperature of:
a. 41o F or below or
b. 135oForabove.
x. Shall provide transportation of food in a clean conveyance
xi. Shall provide service of food within four (4) hours of preparation.
xii. Where non-prepackaged food is served, a convenient hand washing facility for persons preparing and serving the food; which hand washing facility must at a
minimum include:
a. A five (5) gallon container with a spigot that provides free-flowing water and
a catch bucket to collect wastewater from hand washing. b. Soapandindividualpapertowels.
Any wastewater generated at a location (including, but not limited to wastewater from hand washing, utensil washing, sinks, and steam tables) must be placed in a container approved by the director until properly disposed of into a sanitary sewer system or in a manner that is consistent with federal, state, and local regulations and requirements relating to liquid waste disposal.
Are we really worried that these people who haven't showered in a month are going to get food poisoning because some Pastor served him a plate of chicken without scrubbing his hands?
Get a Clue Fort Lauderdale. You're making us all look like fools.