The City of Brotherly Love Bans Compassion for Brothers

[XLFD]

How some Cities deal with problems, non-Ludington edition:

By Mike Dunn and Walt Hunter

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter has announced a ban on the feeding of large numbers of homeless and hungry people at sites on and near the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Mayor Nutter is imposing the ban on all outdoor feedings of large numbers of people on city parkland, including Love Park and the Ben Franklin Parkway, where it is not uncommon for outreach groups to offer free food.

Nutter says the feedings lack both sanitary conditions and dignity.

“Providing to those who are hungry must not be about opening the car trunk, handing out a bunch of sandwiches, and then driving off into the dark and rainy night,” Nutter said.

The city’s leading homeless advocate, Project Home’s Sister Mary Scullion, voiced tentative support for the mayor’s announcement. She said the mayor is “between a rock and a hard place” on the issue of outdoor feedings.

“I really want to thank the mayor for this courageous … this is not an easy position. But I do think it’s a great opportunity,” Scullion said.

Among the groups unhappy with the mayor’s announcement is Brian Jenkins of Chosen 300 Ministries, a homeless outreach group that does both indoor and outdoor feedings.

“The fact that city of Philadelphia is saying now that the homeless don’t have the right to eat on the Ben Franklin Parkway or eat around Center City is a clear violation of civil rights,” Jenkins explained. “It says that people that have … can eat in a certain place. But people that have not, can’t.”

Nutter’s aides will work with the homeless groups to encourage more indoor feedings.

In the meantime, the groups will be allowed to offer food on the north apron of City Hall, provided they register with the city.

The ban on parkland feedings takes effect in 30 days. Groups that violate the outdoor feeding ban would face two warnings and then a nominal $150 fine.

Nutter says large family gatherings in the park are not affected by the ban.

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/03/14/nutter-announces-ban-on...

 

Make sure to watch their video and vote in their opinion poll, but tell us the reason you voted that way.

[Sweater Cows!]

X, I thought for sure you wrote that the way the writer uses "feeding" like for feeding birds or deer. Seems suited to your writing style. But the original author wrote it that way. Awesome.

[XLFD]

This was kind of in the same style I wrote about the remedies presented by our Mayor and the rubber-stampers this last summer for Ludington's Non-existent Cat Problem.

http://ludingtoncitizen.ning.com/forum/topics/ludington-considers-b...

But, naw, I didn't write that, but I really think we should also look at the option of Trap, Neuter and Release for the homeless people of Philadelphia as well.  Seriously, Mayor Nuttier...

 

[Sweater Cows!]

I wonder if they have a problem with the feedings because of litter and unsanitary conditions.

Not homeless people, but just people are dirty. If you have ever been to a huge music festival you can see the amount of trash that can pile up over a 4 day span. if the feedings are bring in food wrappers and then pieces of food falling all over the ground it could cause a very unsanitary situation. I would make a law for more trash cans and running water to wash things.

Edit: And porto-jons. OMG at a festival they get so gross so fast. Gotta carry around wet wipes and TP just to clean the seat and cover it, usually the TP is gone by the first hour after they are cleaned in the morning.

[XLFD]

The video speculates that the mayor just might be trying to move the homeless away from areas that are being improved on, and will serve as the new face of Philadelphia.  It's a perception issue.

[Lisa O'Brien]

Wow - while the mayor is correct in that it may not be sanitary (depending how the food is prepared and packaged for travel) but the important thing is that the homeless are getting something to eat - and I'm sure it is a lot healthier than eating out of a dumpster. Plus if he was so concerned about the sanity issue of it being outside - why is he allowing feeding to continue on the north side of city hall for the next year. I'm sure these charities are operating on a bare budget, if they are forced to feed inside now  they will incur the added expense of a building, utilities and furniture (tables/chairs) which will take away from the amount of homeless they can feed. To me it seems he wants to keep them out of view of families picnicking at the parks.

[XLFD]

There is a video in the link that explains things in a little more detail, but I wasn't able to embed it here.  You make a real good point about the extra expense and logistic problems the homeless helpers would run into if they feed them inside only.  It will also make those people who might give a homeless person some of their extra food from a doggie bag less likely to do so, because of the law.