# Another reason to hate Fort Lauderdale, you'll get arrested for feeding the homeless.
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794
**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:** 2
### Author:  [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)
#### Post date: [November 5, 2014, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/21 "2014-11-05T22:35:15Z")
> [@Bone](#):
>
> 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?
Whether they should or shouldn’t, this has nothing to do with individuals sharing food with other individuals.
---
### Author:  [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)
#### Post date: [November 5, 2014, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/22 "2014-11-05T22:50:27Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#):
>
> Whether they should or shouldn’t, this has nothing to do with individuals sharing food with other individuals.
Oh I get that. I think it’s a laudable activity - that a church or any other organization to take it upon themselves to provide food for those in need.
When they create a gathering of folks, do you think they should provide bathrooms? A lot of folks gathering for meals are going to produce human waste.
Should the people providing the food be regulated like other food service providers - following standards and protocols of food safety, handling, preparation, etc?
Should the people providing the food respect the neighborhood and it’s zoning? Certain neighborhoods are zoned residential - no other businesses will be able to operate storefronts, etc. Should this group be able to do so?
I’m sure the church can still provide food to the homeless - they just have to follow the rules, no? That’s the whole point of allowing zoning, and mandating health and safety standards. I personally think the use of zoning and standards enforcement should be much more narrowly tailored, but that’s not the situation we are faced with.
I’m actually looking for the specific ordinance in question but I can’t seem to find it. Does anyone have a link?
---
### Author:  [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)
#### Post date: [November 5, 2014, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/23 "2014-11-05T22:53:12Z")
> [@DocCathode](#):
>
> 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.
Keeping the homeless away from tourists is bad because…why? For places that rely on tourist revenues, it seems prudent to take steps to attract tourists. If not for them, the city either has to cut services or raise taxes.
They could be like SF, where every other street corner smells like urine and escalators on mass transit routinely have to be closed due to build up of human solid waste. Come visit our bustling metropolis!
---
### Author:  [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)
#### Post date: [November 5, 2014, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/24 "2014-11-05T23:14:05Z")
> [@Slash1972](#):
>
> 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:
Holy crap that’s the dumbest display of reasoning I’ve ever seen.
Edit: the link obviously, not you.
---
### Author:  [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)
#### Post date: [November 5, 2014, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/25 "2014-11-05T23:17:57Z")
It’s disgusting. It wasn’t too long ago “they” were pushing private charity as THE viable alternative to “big bugmint” and “thousand points of light” bullshit, and now they outlaw that too. Fvck 'em.
---
### Author:  [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)
#### Post date: [November 5, 2014, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/26 "2014-11-05T23:28:40Z")
> [@Bone](#):
>
> Oh I get that. I think it’s a laudable activity - that a church or any other organization to take it upon themselves to provide food for those in need.
>
> When they create a gathering of folks, do you think they should provide bathrooms? A lot of folks gathering for meals are going to produce human waste.
>
> Should the people providing the food be regulated like other food service providers - following standards and protocols of food safety, handling, preparation, etc?
>
> Should the people providing the food respect the neighborhood and it’s zoning? Certain neighborhoods are zoned residential - no other businesses will be able to operate storefronts, etc. Should this group be able to do so?
>
> I’m sure the church can still provide food to the homeless - they just have to follow the rules, no? That’s the whole point of allowing zoning, and mandating health and safety standards. I personally think the use of zoning and standards enforcement should be much more narrowly tailored, but that’s not the situation we are faced with.
>
> I’m actually looking for the specific ordinance in question but I can’t seem to find it. Does anyone have a link?
These might all be decent questions, but I don’t think they have anything to do with the Fort Lauderdale mayor’s attempt to make it illegal to feed the homeless because he wants the homeless to leave.
---
### Author:  [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)
#### Post date: [November 5, 2014, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/27 "2014-11-05T23:33:41Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#):
>
> These might all be decent questions, but I don’t think they have anything to do with the Fort Lauderdale mayor’s attempt to make it illegal to feed the homeless because he wants the homeless to leave.
Exactly. I bet he calls himself a “christian” too. They usually do :rolleyes:
---
### Author:  [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)
#### Post date: [November 6, 2014, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/28 "2014-11-06T00:09:29Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#):
>
> These might all be decent questions, but I don’t think they have anything to do with the Fort Lauderdale mayor’s attempt to make it illegal to feed the homeless because he wants the homeless to leave.
The stated goal is to impact the homeless problem in the city, however the law is ostensibly to satisfy other goals similar to what I listed. Those would likely be the defense of such ordinances if they were challenged. Avoiding the issue doesn’t help address them if the law is to be challenged.
Or are we just complaining that if something is illegal it should be okay if we like the result?
---
### Author:  [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)
#### Post date: [November 6, 2014, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/29 "2014-11-06T00:21:04Z")
> [@FXMastermind](#):
>
> What’s the other reason [for hating the city](http://bit.ly/1uwPgew)?
If you have to ask, you won’t understand the answer. Hint. Chad Hanging and his rock band, The Recounters. But you’re probably not into music. :rolleyes:
---
### Author:  [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)
#### Post date: [November 6, 2014, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/30 "2014-11-06T00:27:31Z")
> [@Bone](#):
>
> The stated goal is to impact the homeless problem in the city, however the law is ostensibly to satisfy other goals similar to what I listed. Those would likely be the defense of such ordinances if they were challenged. Avoiding the issue doesn’t help address them if the law is to be challenged.
>
> Or are we just complaining that if something is illegal it should be okay if we like the result?
So, the city, being compassionate and such, will set up a shelter and feed the unfortunate? Or are they simply hoping to make it another city’s problem? We’re talking about sharing food in a public park, some of us call that a picnic, but I guess those are illegal now too.
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### Author:  [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)
#### Post date: [November 6, 2014, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/31 "2014-11-06T00:42:50Z")
> [@Bone](#):
>
> Keeping the homeless away from tourists is bad because…why? For places that rely on tourist revenues, it seems prudent to take steps to attract tourists. If not for them, the city either has to cut services or raise taxes.
>
> They could be like SF, where every other street corner smells like urine and escalators on mass transit routinely have to be closed due to build up of human solid waste. Come visit our bustling metropolis!
How disgusting a defense. Let’s kick out the homeless because they cost us money. We’d better deprive the homeless of rights rather than let the tourists feel slightly bad. The tourists have money, so their right to not be slightly offended is more important than that of the homeless person to actually get some food.
And San Fransisco isn’t hurting for tourist money, you disgusting greedy shit.
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### Author:  [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)
#### Post date: [November 6, 2014, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/32 "2014-11-06T00:45:24Z")
> [@Bone](#):
>
> Or are we just complaining that if something is illegal it should be okay if we like the result?
Seriously? The whole reason we make things illegal is because we don’t like the results. If we like the results, then of course it shouldn’t be illegal.
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### Author:  [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)
#### Post date: [November 6, 2014, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/33 "2014-11-06T01:08:07Z")
> [@SteveG1](#):
>
> “big bugmint”
My least favorite flavor of toothpaste.
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### Author:  [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)
#### Post date: [November 6, 2014, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/34 "2014-11-06T01:15:21Z")
> [@Bone](#):
>
> The stated goal is to impact the homeless problem in the city, however the law is ostensibly to satisfy other goals similar to what I listed. Those would likely be the defense of such ordinances if they were challenged. Avoiding the issue doesn’t help address them if the law is to be challenged.
>
> Or are we just complaining that if something is illegal it should be okay if we like the result?
Which is more important, getting money from tourists or feeding homeless people?
---
### Author:  [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)
#### Post date: [November 6, 2014, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/35 "2014-11-06T01:24:44Z")
> [@BigT](#):
>
> Seriously? The whole reason we make things illegal is because we don’t like the results. If we like the results, then of course it shouldn’t be illegal.
I’m talking about zoning in general. If zoning is allowed, then it can be used by those in power to zone out things they wish. It sounds like you’re against zoning. I’m guessing you’re not though, except when it impacts things you like.
> [@BigT](#):
>
> How disgusting a defense. Let’s kick out the homeless because they cost us money. We’d better deprive the homeless of rights rather than let the tourists feel slightly bad. The tourists have money, so their right to not be slightly offended is more important than that of the homeless person to actually get some food.
>
> And San Fransisco isn’t hurting for tourist money, you disgusting greedy shit.
You have the calculus wrong. No one is depriving the homeless of any right. The discussion is focused on those providing the food, not those receiving it. So do you believe that groups should be allowed to serve food in a manner that violates health and safety standards, doesn’t follow food handling and preparation standards, etc.?
And it’s naive to think that tourist money isn’t important to a city. Any city in America will value those who can pay taxes and fund the operations of a city over those that are a drain on one. This isn’t to say that a city doesn’t have an obligation towards its homeless population - they do. How they satisfy that obligation is debatable.
I never said San Francisco is hurting for tourist money. The city does quite well. It’s also dirty as shit and smells like piss in many parts of downtown.
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### Author:  [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)
#### Post date: [November 6, 2014, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/36 "2014-11-06T01:41:00Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#):
>
> These might all be decent questions, but I don’t think they have anything to do with the Fort Lauderdale mayor’s attempt to make it illegal to feed the homeless because he wants the homeless to leave.
Well now, lets be fair. Mayors may whip out that bible and twist the words better than a 70s-era kidnapping ransom note, but governors are held to a Higher standard.
[Good Ole Jeb only whips it out out for women on life-support.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terri_Schiavo_case)
If you are homeless in Ft Lauderdale, your best bet is to drop into a persistent vegetative state and hope that other homeless don’t eat you.
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### Author:  [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)
#### Post date: [November 6, 2014, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/37 "2014-11-06T01:47:15Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#):
>
> Which is more important, getting money from tourists or feeding homeless people?
They could collect revenue by having those things that dispense a handful of feed like at a petting zoo, and they would only use special tokens sold or given out by the tourist bureau. Solves two problems with one stone.
:dubious:
I think I’ll claim this was your idea.
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### Author:  [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)
#### Post date: [November 6, 2014, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/38 "2014-11-06T01:56:42Z")
It’s too bad the homeless don’t vote. If they did, the mayor would probably be down there serving the food along with Abbott.
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### Author:  [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)
#### Post date: [November 6, 2014, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/39 "2014-11-06T02:02:12Z")
> [@Bone](#):
>
> When they create a gathering of folks, do you think they should provide bathrooms? A lot of folks gathering for meals are going to produce human waste.
Immediately ?
Somehow, other venues selling food don’t seem to have to worry about their patrons mass defecating.
> [@](#):
>
> Should the people providing the food be regulated like other food service providers - following standards and protocols of food safety, handling, preparation, etc?
Providing they adhere to the standards required of street food vendors, there’s probably no problem.
---
### Author:  [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)
#### Post date: [November 6, 2014, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-reason-to-hate-fort-lauderdale-youll-get-arrested-for-feeding-the-homeless/703794/40 "2014-11-06T02:18:31Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#):
>
> 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.
Anchovies. I love em.
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