Although the ordinance prohibits "aggressive panhandling" which means when a business or a visitor to our downtown, etc. says "no" and the beggar continues to beg, it will be against Lake Worth laws. The ordinance, 2014-34, describes aggressive as begging and solicitation that usually includes approaching or following pedestrians, repetitive requests for money, use of abusive or profane language, unwanted physical contact and intentional blocking of pedestrian.
First of all, other than simply approaching someone, I have never seen any of the above happen. It might on occasion, but these people just want a buck or two and go on their miserable way. And when you do that, it encourages that person to come back the next day with all of his friends.
Protecting the health, safety and welfare of our residents and visitors in our downtown is the job of this commission. It is not Lake Worth's responsibility to address "the underlying reason for panhandling" as former commissioner Jennings suggested. The City is not into the mental health field. That is some government agency's job somewhere. Lake Worth does the best it can under the circumstances and panhandlers have to follow our laws just like anyone else. If every city in Florida had to take even more responsibility for the homeless and panhandler, they all would have to file bankruptcy. The Homeless and panhandlers come to south Florida for the same reason as our tourists, the weather.
Let's make sure that this law is a deterrent. I don't think it goes far enough.
9 comments:
It is crazy what is happening in Ft. Lauderdale with this:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fort-lauderdale/fl-homeless-feeding-citations-folo-20141105-story.html
I think God would want us to feed the homeless and hungry. Arresting a poor 90 year old for feeding hungry people, how sad, what does our Bible say?
There are so many lame excuses for doing what is right, helping these people, but we don't we let politicians spend millions and billions on campaigns, yet do nothing to help the poor, homeless, addicts, and hungry who really need our help. Where are the homeless shelters? Where are the rehab addit. support and help? Why don't we do more to feed the hungry and homeless and take care of them? Our country is really whacked, human needs need to be more of a priority in our society. It is so sad an old frail man who is 90 who wants to help homeless hungry people is arrested in our society, happening here in South Florida. We have a problem!
WWJD?
Feed the hungry!
Clothe the naked!
Provide shelter for the homeless!
What do humans do? Arrest someone who is doing what Jesus wants us to do! How sad!
You may think it is charitable to feed the homeless outside, but it causes all kinds of problems for those that live and work in close proximity to these feeding areas. There is a reason to require port a pottys, etc. if you don't and you are feeding people, pretty soon you have homeless peeing and pooping in public.
Most of the people who are involved in the feeding of homeless don't actually live anywhere near the feeding locations, so they have little to no understanding or sympathy for the residents who have homeless congregating and causing trouble.
There are other ways to be charitable and to help these folks.
I'm harassed regularly in our downtown area. I think it really depends on who you are, the homeless seem inclined to solicit certain people more than others. My husband, a big guy, never has anyone ask him for money, I have been put in fear for my life at least three times in our downtown/Snook island area. I won't go to Snook Islands by myself anymore.
I don't think "homeless " is the right term for the people scrunging for money in our downtown. Most are bums and addicts. By choice. There is help if they want it . They don't. I have every sympathy for the businesses downtown .In some cases the bums are a well organized theft group. I love Lake Worth. I don't love the dirtbags that are ruining it.I want to sit and enjoy a lunch or a cup of coffee without getting hit on ,or worse. And WWJD? I think he would beat the crap out of some of the dirty con artists and tell them to get their $hit together.
The poor, the hungry, the addicts, the dirt bags, they are not going away and will likely increase. Our society as a whole needs to do something, it is not getting better and will likely get worse.
Where are the homeless shelters? Where are the rehabs and help for them?
Where is the love and compassion?
I am losing faith in the people on this blog like the other one now, both seem so lacking in Spirit and love for all. What is the real reason we are all here on earth for to begin with?
Seems people would be smarter to stay away from all these blogs that seem so hateful and heartless.
11:07. This is a tough city in which to write a b log and also give an opinion. You are dealing with mostly Democrats, some socialists, plenty of Gays and just a lot of illegal immigrants who believe that they are entitled to come here and break our laws in the process.
The difference here is that I have a policy and people need to adhere to it. I delete comments daily that are inappropriate but sometimes the subject is way too hot, one gets away from me or I post it to stimulate a reaction. The other difference here is that negatives can be applied to a public figure whereas the OTHER BLOG attacks citizens it does not like with a different view. We are not bullies here but we still believe in the First Amendment. You are entitled to your opinion just as long as you don't get personal, they are elected officials, sit on city boards or they are a public figure.
None of us really know why we are all here on Earth. Hopefully we will all find out. We're not Saints.
Thanks for your comment.
There are a few key items missing from this discussion. Primarily, the lack of personal responsibility. Too many bleeding hearts (Anon 2:38) feel that society is supposed to just take on the massive burden that many people have created for themselves. How did they get to be addicts? Who made that first choice to put those substances into their bodies? I doubt society forced them to. Why am I now responsible for not only my own choices, but all of these people's?
At what point does society become overwhelmed by this supposed moral duty to care for every person and their bad decisions? At what point do we actually start the conversation by acknowledging who is at fault for their current state (mental illness aside for this part) and maybe aiming at an avoidance strategy rather than a band-aid?
The second issue is the 'Jesus Effect'. I think that Anon @ 8:27 and Anon @ 2:40 should start things off by leading by example. If you ask what your bible says, or What Would Jesus Do, I think you should show us. Let's get this started by you going over to the Cultural Plaza and making a few new friends. Invite them into YOUR home and provide them some shelter and food. Please feel free to leave for work or whatever else you may do throughout the day and leave them at your place for as long as they wish.
Please report back to us in a month (although maybe 24 hours is all that is needed) and let us know how you, your money, your home, your family and your possessions are doing after following your own WWJD type of suggestions with regards to your new roommates. Lead by example!
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