How often do you wonder, how in the world did a particular bill or law get on the books? Do you consider whether the law targeting a particular bad or harmful behavior that the lawmakers hoped to be eradicated? Maybe the law made sense “in the past”, but its usefulness is no longer there? Or was writing the law itself just a big mistake?
Ban on Internet Cafe
Take for example a recent law in Florida. In Florida, Internet Cafes became illegal after Rick Scott signed the bill into law in 2013. Why? According to the supporters of this bill, it was because the computers at Internet Cafes may be used for gambling. On the other hand, gambling itself is legal. In a twist of fate and in their haste, lawmakers actually made all computers illegal.
Who was targeted by this law? Well, this paper isn’t about who was targeted. In fact, it may not be possible to determine who was targeted. But who is affected? Are you affected? If you are reading this post from your phone or at your leisure in the comfort of your home, you are not affected. On the other hand, the homeless population who may use an internet cafe to send emails to loved ones or to read the news is going to be affected.
Illegal to sit on sidewalk
How about sit/lie ordinances? In these laws, it is illegal to sit down on a public sidewalk. Why? Proponents encourage these laws because, for example, sitting on a public sidewalk makes it difficult for elderly and disabled to continue on the path.
But is a law really necessary to prevent blocking the sidewalk?
Let’s consider, if you are vacationing in Hawaii and wish to sit or lay down for a moment after a short run or hike, isn’t it rather bizarre to expect a citation for your crime? Or is this law targeted towards the homeless?
Public feeding
In a recent discussion with a county based homeless trust with tax revenues of greater than $50M, a question of public feedings was posed. Is it illegal to serve meals to the homeless?
The director of the trust explained to the public that homeless feedings are not illegal. However, public assembly is illegal, and littering is illegal, so if a peace officer identifies that someone is engaged in public feeding, the individual will be cited for public assembly, littering, and “other laws as necessary”. She explained that feeding the homeless is “enabling them”, and that is strictly discouraged.
Fortunately or unfortunately, the laws against public feeding are not uncommon in our free nation. What is the result? People go hungry. A lot of people. And they beg for money to buy a cup of soup, or a hamburger, or a cup of coffee to get out of the rain.
What you can do
Is it illegal to be homeless? Lawmakers and law enforcement will likely emphatically promise you that laws are not created to criminalize homelessness. But what about laws against the homeless? Those exist, and are plentiful.
Many times we go through life and expect that our best interests — and the best interests of others — are being recognized and supported. That isn’t always the case.
There are hundreds of thousands of homeless across our nation and around the world. Unfortunately, they don’t collectively have a common voice.
You can help to be that voice. Advocacy is a start. Awareness is job #1.
<See getsoup.com for original article>