In Tampa, groups that feed homeless say city is turning against them
"Church groups and others who feed the homeless say they're increasingly being bothered by the police" in Tampa, the St. Petersburg Times reports.
According to the newspaper, city officials say they haven't changed policies toward the homeless or those who help them.
Fran Davin, the mayor's liaison on homelessness issues,
acknowledged recently contacting police about a complaint she received concerning a group feeding people in one city park. But, Davin said the city has "a standing policy that feeding in the parks is not appropriate because we don't have the adequate sanitary services."
Those who are helping the homeless think developers are putting pressure on the city, however.
Robbie Davis, who for four years had been feeding about 100 people once a week at the park Davin told police about, said an officer asked him to move the program because the developer of a nearby condo tower under construction had complained.
Pastor Tom Atchison of New Life Pentecostal Church of God was told by police in August to stop feeding about 200 people every Saturday in a downtown parking lot.
A landmark Tampa church, Sacred Heart Catholic, is "the last safe place for homeless people," said Les Brown, 52, who has been sleeping outside the place of worship for three weeks.
Dozens of homeless people sleep outside Sacred Heart every night. Because they're on private property, police don't move them. The church's pastor does not object to their presence. "It's God's house, and they should be able to sleep near God's home," said Father Andrew Reitz.
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Invenice Editor: I have included the comments that were included with this news Item
Comments
Dozens of homeless people sleep outside Sacred Heart every night. Because they're on private property, police don't move them. The church's pastor does not object to their presence. 'It's God's house, and they should be able to sleep near God's home,' said Father Andrew Reitz."
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As a parishioner of Sacred Heart I've seen the grounds around the " house of God" turned into a very large and smelly open air bathroom.
This hasn't helped anyone but has created a monstrous health hazard.
"Instead of feeding them, why don't the churches get to the bottom of the problems and also give them counseling, so these homeless folks can get back on their feet to support themselves again.
Posted by: na | Oct 17, 2006 3:05:29 PM"
Because the churches aren't equipped to provide adequate mental health services...that's the job of mental health facilities. Unfortunately - due to budget cuts made in the name of "lowering taxes" - most of the facilities have either closed, or are severely restricted in their ability to treat patients long-term.
The result? More homeless people, as well as more murders (and other crimes) committed by paranoid schizophrenics - often times whose only motivating factor in such instances is to defend themselves against the agents of the FBI, the CIA, and the devil, that follow them wherever they go. To me, there is nothing sadder than to hear about a random individual being pushed in front of a subway train by a heretofore non-violent paranoid schizophrenic, simply because they didn't have someone ensuring that they took their medication (or even had the medication in the first place) and believed the victim to be a threat to their personal safety.
As I always like to say, "Pay me now, or pay me later!"
Instead of feeding them, why don't the churches get to the bottom of the problems and also give them counseling, so these homeless folks can get back on their feet to support themselves again.
I am sure the police would be happy to pick up all the dead homeless bodies, correct? I am sure the cops are doing this on a technicality, something like unlawful gathering on a public place or something like that. Man, some people follow the law too closely. I guess common sense goes out the window. I say let these poor people eat. what are the homeless going to do next, go to sleep??!!
Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me.
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!
Can these words still be found on a plaque at Ellis Island, New York ?? These people may or may not be immigrants, but they must be homeless. 153 years after these words were posted we still have not been able to house all of our citizens. At least there are still churches where these people can lay down outside at night and sleep undisturbed. If our great Christian leader can take his eye off Iraqi oil for a minute, maybe he could do something about the problems we face here at home ??? How about it George - remember us ???
"Pastor Tom Atchison of New Life Pentecostal Church of God was told by police in August to stop feeding about 200 people every Saturday in a downtown parking lot.
A landmark Tampa church, Sacred Heart Catholic, is 'the last safe place for homeless people,' said Les Brown, 52, who has been sleeping outside the place of worship for three weeks.
Dozens of homeless people sleep outside Sacred Heart every night. Because they're on private property, police don't move them. The church's pastor does not object to their presence. 'It's God's house, and they should be able to sleep near God's home,' said Father Andrew Reitz."
Ahh, it's so refreshing to hear about religious folks who actually practice what they preach!
It is understandable, though, that police would spend so much time harrassing the homeless and their supporters. After all...with Florida's exceedingly low crime rate, what else do the cops have to do?
The churches may see the gestapo, and police state tactics of the Bush administration are coming to roost.
Bush is a dictator and an elitist.
Maybe the Churches are beginning to see the other side of his policies.
I am sure this an aspect of Homeland Security and "Patriot" (what a name) Act.
In the name of national security assembling to feed the homeless is a terrorist act.
REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER, CLEAN THE SLATE IN '08!!