Feeding The Hungry Part 2
Posted by Sandy on June 11, 2023 · Leave a Comment
June 10 2023 I attended the FNB (Food not Bombs) feeding of the homeless on Clematis St. when a WPB police car drove slowly by. I knew there was going to be a problem.
The homeless lined up to be fed, and for some this was their first meal of the day. I positioned myself close enough to the serving table where clothing was arranged for the taking. The most commonly asked for item was socks.
As I sat and listened I heard over and over again “thank you & please” coming from the homeless. Someone from FNB managed to acquire a donation of socks and everyone received 2 pairs. I will never take socks for granted again.
When the feeding was ended, and the volunteers began breaking the tables down, I started to “police” the area picking up trash that may have been left in the area after the feeding. It was a waste of my time.
The WPB Police Dept. showed up and it was Officer Smith the same officer that previously issued a warning to Canta Chestnut for feeding the homeless.
Officer Smith, who was polite and respectful, but meant business, asked for identification while we all stood staring at her. Her next statement was show me some identification or you’re all going to jail. Here it was, the threat of jail along with a $500 fine.
A volunteer with FNB named Carly Prinzo who was quoted in a story reported by channel 5 and was part of the 1st. story on feeding the homeless. Chanel 5 gave her name as “Carl” and I will correct the error. Her name is Carly Prinzio, and here is her previous statement to channel 5.
“Spokeswoman Carl Prinzio said her group will reject this permit requirement, calling it a blatant attack on their freedom of expression.”
“It’s definitely just straight up awful,” she said. “It’s ridiculous. You are criminalizing people for sharing food with the hungry, really? Of all the different issues you could be tackling in the city of west palm beach, this is what your spending your resources on?
“Why not address the issues of food insecurity, affordable housing. Those are what causes the problems that we have so they are just out of their mind coming after us for sharing food. It makes no sense for any of us.”
Carly Prinzio showed Officer Smith her identification and was rewarded with a warning to stop feeding the homeless. None went to jail.
While speaking to us, a group of well dresses people passed by and said something to Officer Smith. She replied to them if they wanted to comment please come over her camera was on. They continued walking down the street. This is important and I will explain below.
Canta Chestnut
I’m continuing her story because I finally received my PRR. (Public Record Request)
Below was part of the story.
5/30/2023 City Commission meeting.
“One of the speakers was a woman named Canta Chestnut who is president of “We Care About People Inc” who have prepared healthy meals and distributed them from the back of her car for years. On April 27, 2023 she received a written warning from police to stop or she would receive a $500.00 fine or 60 days in jail, or both. She spoke passionately to the elected officials.” The officer who served the warning was Officer Smith. the same that issued a warning to Carly Prinzio from FNB.
Ms. Chestnut provided me with a copy of her warning, and on Friday, June 2, 2023 I sent a PRR to the police dept. requesting a copy of the police report and the camera video.
June 8, 2023 After an email to the PD informing them I will file a complaint with Barbara Peterson of Florida Center for Government Accountability (FLCGA) I received a response.
The PD responded with a document called a CAD a Computer Aided Dispatch report. That does not sound like a police report to me. See here. Canta Chestnut Police report
As for a copy of the body camera worn by officer Smith I was advised “BODY WORN CAMERA NOT ON FILE. NO BODY WORN CAMERA” 
I don’t believe the PD response. Why would Smith tell a crowd of people to come over if they wanted to make a comment, her camera was on but off when she issued a warning to Canta Chestnut no record of it.
When James held a comment card, and said he would not read it from the Free Press I placed a PRR for the card, and the City Clerk responded with she didn’t remember it. My complaint to FLCGA and I soon received a copy of the card. Having problems receiving a PRR? I suggest you report it to FLCGA.
I would suggest to the mayor and city commissioners a cops job is hard enough with public trust and putting them under a microscope. Remember the saying “Don’t kill the messenger.” Smith is doing her job, if she doesn’t there’s a reprimand. Caught between a rock and a hard place.
When a cop issues a warning they are the ones who are demonized not James who headed the ordinance and his puppets, the city commissioners who voted approval.
Channel 5 WPTV Joel Lopez Posted May 30, 2023 updated May 31, 2023
“I don’t intend to stop, because I don’t think you have the right to infringe on my First Amendment right to practice my religion,” Chestnut said. “We are to take care of those less fortunate. We’re to feed the hungry, clothed the naked. We’re supposed to provide shelter.”
The entire story and interviews can be seen below. Please be patient with the ad that appears before the interview.
Below are pictures taken of the area around Clematis St. after the June 3rd. feeding .
Area was clean, trash put in the containers after they finished their meal. James pay attention to the 3rd. pic.of street that needs repair. I don’t believe it was caused by the homeless.
Want to see trash? Drive down Village Blvd; and through my development Spencer Lakes and look at bags and cups from McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Arby’s, not by the homeless but by the teenagers who are used to mama picking up after them.
In closing I received the response below from a WPB Watch reader after reading Part 1 of the story. WPB needs more residents like this caring individual.