# Another reason to hate Fort Lauderdale, you'll get arrested for feeding the homeless. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 5, 2014, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794 "2014-11-05T19:38:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2014, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/1 "2014-11-05T19:38:49Z")
_Abbott and two pastors in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, were charged for feeding the homeless in public on Sunday, the city’s first crackdowns under a new ordinance banning public food sharing,…_ Abbott is 90. Now he faces possible jail time and a $500.00 fine. [link](http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/04/justice/florida-feeding-homeless-charges/index.html?hpt=hp_t3) Their official response to this…\* Mayor Jack Seiler defended the law and its intent. _“I’m not satisfied with having a cycle of homeless in city of Fort Lauderdale,” said Seiler. “Providing them with a meal and keeping them in that cycle on the street is not productive.”_ [link](http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fort-lauderdale/fl-homeless-feeding-citations-20141102-story.html) Letting them go hungry is? ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2014, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/2 "2014-11-05T19:44:27Z")
He must want to break the cycle through Darwinism. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2014, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/3 "2014-11-05T19:47:45Z")
I wonder if this could be fought on freedom of religion grounds? For example, if one’s religion commands you to share your food with the homeless/poor? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2014, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/4 "2014-11-05T19:52:36Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > I wonder if this could be fought on freedom of religion grounds? For example, if one’s religion commands you to share your food with the homeless/poor? I seem to recall that Jesus said something about that, as well as Maimonides. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2014, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/5 "2014-11-05T19:57:00Z")
Public food sharing is illegal. Has anyone been busted for poaching a fry outa their buddies bag? ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2014, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/6 "2014-11-05T19:57:12Z")
What if I was in FTL and he fed me. I am not homeless. Could he still arrested? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2014, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/7 "2014-11-05T19:57:37Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > I wonder if this could be fought on freedom of religion grounds? For example, if one’s religion commands you to share your food with the homeless/poor? It’s an approach. The city would have to show that their ordinance was narrowly tailored to achieve a compelling government goal. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2014, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/8 "2014-11-05T20:07:54Z")
From [here:](http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/11/04/0-year-old-among-first-charged-under-fort-lauderdale-strict-rules-against/) “The people feeding them are enablers, and they enable the homeless by making their lives easier,” Deal told the New Times of Broward County. “Hunger is a big motivator. Are people more likely to seek help when they’re hungry or when they’re fed and happy?” I sure wish I was as happy as a one-time fed homeless person :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2014, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/9 "2014-11-05T20:13:14Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Public food sharing is illegal. Has anyone been busted for poaching a fry outa their buddies bag? “You got your peanut butter on my chocolate!” “You got your chocolate in my peanut butter!” “Both of you, FREEZE! Hands behind your head, _NOW_!” ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2014, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/10 "2014-11-05T20:29:19Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > “The people feeding them are enablers, and they enable the homeless by making their lives easier,” Deal told the New Times of Broward County. _First they came for the Pigeons, and I did not speak out — Because I was not a Pigeon…_ ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2014, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/11 "2014-11-05T20:30:50Z")
It seems like the rule is based on the idea they can zone where food serving is allowed, as well as certain health and safety requirements for toilets. Are you opposed to zoning and health and safety aspects of this, or think there should be an exception? Should the city have the power to zone in this way? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2014, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/12 "2014-11-05T20:33:02Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > It seems like the rule is based on the idea they can zone where food serving is allowed, as well as certain health and safety requirements for toilets. > > Are you opposed to zoning and health and safety aspects of this, or think there should be an exception? Should the city have the power to zone in this way? The city should not have the power to zone in such a way that prevents people from sharing food in public. That’s just stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2014, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/13 "2014-11-05T20:40:28Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > The city should not have the power to zone in such a way that prevents people from sharing food in public. That’s just stupid. This. If I want to share a pizza with my buddies in a port-o-john while one of them is taking a shit that is our business. Fucking government gettin all nosy into my personal life. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2014, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/14 "2014-11-05T20:45:20Z")
So if someone sets up a food giveaway program that makes everyone sick, doesn’t adhere to basic safety rules for people and staff, and is in a part of the city not set up for the traffic pattern, and types of property in the area, that should be fine? ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2014, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/15 "2014-11-05T21:02:45Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > \*Abbott and two pastors in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, were charged for feeding the homeless in public on Sunday What’s the other reason [for hating the city](http://bit.ly/1uwPgew)? ---
**Author:** ![Aquadementia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aquadementia/32/555_2.png) [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2014, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/16 "2014-11-05T21:14:58Z")
I can see the sense of it. Homeless go hungry. The homeless become more desperate. The homeless steal more. The emergency care, gun sales and home security industry boom. Homeless are precessed through the jails where they get their free meals. It’s win win for everyone! ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2014, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/17 "2014-11-05T21:27:48Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > It’s an approach. The city would have to show that their ordinance was narrowly tailored to achieve a compelling government goal. Can one construe forcing people to go hungry as a compelling government goal? ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2014, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/18 "2014-11-05T21:32:13Z")
[http://aattp.org/ft-lauderdale-passes-law-making-it-legal-to-steal-homeless-peoples-belongings/](http://aattp.org/ft-lauderdale-passes-law-making-it-legal-to-steal-homeless-peoples-belongings/) [http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2014-05-07/news/fl-fort-lauderdale-homeless-laws-20140507\_1\_homeless-assistance-center-homeless-voice-homeless-advocates](http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2014-05-07/news/fl-fort-lauderdale-homeless-laws-20140507_1_homeless-assistance-center-homeless-voice-homeless-advocates) > **[Fort Lauderdale Latest City to Restrict Feeding Homeless](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/fort-lauderdale-latest-city-restrict-feeding-homeless-n231381)** > > Commissioners in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, approved restrictions to discourage homelessness that has seemed to increase in warm cities in the South. [http://www.ryot.org/illegal-to-be-homeless-in-fort-lauderdale/818353](http://www.ryot.org/illegal-to-be-homeless-in-fort-lauderdale/818353) ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2014, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/19 "2014-11-05T21:32:15Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Can one construe forcing people to go hungry as a compelling government goal? They want to make money, and the tourists don’t want homeless people around. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2014, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/20 "2014-11-05T22:07:57Z")
This is disgusting. We’ve had some attempts to restrict programs that feed the homeless here in Philly. The real goal of such laws is always clear- keep the homeless away from tourists. This story makes the mind reel and the bile rise. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794.md?page=2)