WPB Police Crack Down On Residents Feeding Homeless.
August 27, 2023
8/26/2023 FNB (Food Not Bombs) was present and starting setting up tables and preparing the food that was to be served to the homeless population of WPB. All was going well, until it didn’t. Near the end of the feeding a police officer arrived and told us we would have to shut the operation down. There were a few more homeless in line and a volunteer continued to serve them and the officer was OK with it, pointed to the last man in line said he would be the last one to be fed. He was.
Next thing I know there are 4 or 5 police cruisers, when officers began questioning and asking for identification from the volunteers.
Soon after at least 2 of us, and possibly 3 were issued an arrest/Notice to appear at the Criminal Justice Complex on Gun Club Rd. 9/26/23 @ 8:00AM. “Charge Description” Feeding large group 25+.
Update: 8/28/2023. There were a total of 4 people charged. Carly, Jacob, Nick and Sandy.
There it is, James war on the homeless and people attempting to give a warm meal.
The police made me nervous, the thought of a judge handing me a $500.00 fine or 60 days in jail, or both has me concerned. I can close up my house for 60 days, but what about my KC, my 70 lb. dog. Arrangements will be made.
A popular quote is the one that says, “If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.” In other words, God doesn’t allow us to face suffering and hardship unless He has a plan for us to walk through it and conquer. I’ll put my faith in Him.
Ordinance No. 4919-20
“West Palm Beach’s Controversial Ordinance: Feeding the Homeless Under Scrutiny”
“Grassroots organizations and compassionate individuals have stepped up to address the needs of the homeless population in West Palm Beach. These dedicated individuals and groups have been providing food, shelter, and support to those in need. Their efforts aim to alleviate the immediate suffering and provide a glimmer of hope to those who have fallen through society’s safety net.”
The Controversial Ordinance:
“In an effort to address the challenges associated with feeding the homeless, the city of West Palm Beach enacted an ordinance requiring permits for feeding groups of 25 people or more. This means that organizations and individuals distributing meals without proper authorization may face penalties, including fines and potential jail time.”
City Officials’ Rationale:
“City officials defend the ordinance by citing concerns over litter, unsanitary conditions, and the need for comprehensive solutions beyond providing food assistance alone. They argue that well-intentioned groups may leave behind a trail of debris, further burdening the city and its residents. By requiring permits, the city aims to promote coordinated efforts that address not only immediate needs but also long-term solutions related to housing, mental health support, and substance abuse assistance.”
“concerns over litter”
One of the reasons I attend the FNB feedings is to police the area after the feeding. Small amounts of debris are left behind, I clean it up so the city has no complains.
“unsanitary conditions”
I watched a well dressed man and woman walking a medium size dog, when the dog took care of business on the waterfront. Dog was finished, people moved on leaving the “unsanitary conditions” behind. No problem, blame it on the homeless. Story below.
FNB (Food Not Bombs) and We Care About People, are 2 organizations that feed the homeless on the streets of WPB. Both organizations are under threat of facing a $500.00 fine, 60 days in jail, or both for feeding the homeless without a permit.
The permit is the problem, you can only feed the homeless, twice in a given year in the same location. Appears the city is fine with letting the homeless go hungry the remaining 50 weeks. The city has the right to refuse the permit, and if you doubt that is true just ask Rodney Mayo.
FNB meets every Saturday @ 4:30 on the 100 block of Clematis St; for one purpose. Give a hot meal to a homeless person. For many it is the only meal that day.
I have watched them arrive carrying all their worldly possessions in a backpack, line up for a meal. They come on walkers, in wheelchairs and one man both legs missing from the knees down. He was young enough to fight in Afghanistan. I watched one man, so crippled with arthritis, his fingers were nearly fists as he tried to maneuver the spoon from his plate of rice and beans to his mouth.
At the 8/15/23 feeding, one woman was present and had a bowl of rice, beans and a roll. She was rail thin, sat down next to me. I looked at her and she asked if I would like to share her meal. A man was also present and started a conversation telling me he was sorry he arrived late because all the hard boiled eggs were given out (18). A hard boiled egg would have made him as happy as a $45,000 contributions made to mayor’s campaign manager’s PAC ahead of West Palm Beach Marina vote.
On 8/26/23 the donation was doubled to 36 eggs. A few asked for, and received 2 eggs and a few left over.
The homeless have walked the earth when Jesus did, and they will walk the earth long after we are gone.
What is the world coming too?
What is MAID? (medical assistance in dying)
“One third of Canadians fine with prescribing assisted suicide for homelessness”
“Roughly the same number told a poll they were fine with approving MAID for someone whose only affliction was poverty”
“One third of Canadians are apparently fine with prescribing assisting suicide for no other reason than the fact that the patient is poor or homeless.”
Author of the article: Tristin Hopper Published May 16, 2023. Read below
https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/canada-maid-assisted-suicide-homeless
The end