Florida Couple Fined $746 For Crime Of Feeding Homeless People

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Every Wednesday, the Jimenezes feed more than a hundred people a hearty lunch with dishes of chicken patties, macaroni salad, and fresh vegetables, among others. The meals are entirely funded by private donations and staffed with volunteers.

However, Daytona Beach is one of a handful of cities that enacted ordinances barring individuals from serving food in public. Last week, nearly a half-dozen police officers showed up at Manatee Island Park, where a long line of people had queued to get a meal, and served citations to the Jimenezes and volunteers.

According to the group’s Facebook page, Chico and Debbie, along with four volunteers, were each given multiple 2nd degree misdemeanor citations. The fines totaled $373 per person, $2,238 for the group. The police also permanently banned the group from Manatee Island Park. “We both have made a lot of good friends in the park and are devastated that we are banned the Manatee Park forever,” Debbie wrote. “I am heartbroken.”

Police Chief Mike Chitwood commented about the incident to the Daytona Beach News-Journal: “The ordinance is there, so if we catch you, we’re going to cite you.” He went on to add, “If you want to feed people, and you want to do a good, Christian act, we encourage you to coordinate with the social service agencies.”

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Footage From May 7

More: Think Progress

[SamKnause]

1. Fucking cruel despicable law !!!!

Last edited Tue May 13, 2014, 08:42 AM - Edit history (1)

...........Police Chief Mike Chitwood commented about the incident to the Daytona Beach News-Journal: "The ordinance is there, so if we catch you, we're going to cite you." I guess he doesn't care about protecting and serving the hungry and homeless. The gangs in blue love to tout their authority.

U.S. citizens have to coordinate with social services to feed the hungry and homeless.

What a sick country the U.S. is becoming.

How many people could you feed with $2,238.00 (total of the fines imposed on the do gooders) ????

Insanity has gained a destructive foothold in this country.

[newfie11]

2. I sooo agree

This country is cruel, heartless, and far from the country I grew up in.

[reformist2]

5. It really is insanity. If this were a sane society we would be giving these people food and shelter.

[ejpoeta]

3. well, we keep saying what a christian country we are....

fining people for feeding the homeless.... so shameful. and then to ban them from the damned park!! i hope they sue

[reformist2]

4. Do they have signs that say, "don't feed the people"???

[theHandpuppet]

6. When feeding the hungry is a crime...

...while the wealthy robbing the people is not, it's a sign that we long ago jumped the shark.

[seveneyes]

7. Why not open a licensed restaurant or food stand?

And then feed the people for free/cost and use the homeless to run the restaurant. That would be an even better way to feed them.

[Jefferson23]

8. There would be additional costs involved, although I get where you're coming from.

Their objective seems to me to be, let's just try and feed people in as simple a manner
as possible.

[KurtNYC]

9. Why does the government need to be involved? Someone says they are hungry, I have food.

I give it to them. Same as it ever was.

Opening a restaurant costs $200K+ and probably would not be exempt from this unchristian NIMBY law.

[seveneyes]

10. Food safety, inspections etc

I think we can agree that the health department and other food handling inspection are important when feeding people in public. The cost of licensing helps cover these costs.

With some effort and work from those being fed, the goal can be accomplished.

[frylock]

13. you're right. let the homeless go back to eating out of a dumpster..

where it's far more sanitary.

[eppur_se_muova]

11. I kind of hope they stage a "religious freedom" defense ...

if their religion says to be charitable to the poor (and some do, believe it or not) then these laws are oppressing their religious freedom. Get on it, FAUX and Fiends !

[Jenoch]

12. This is about Daytona Beach not wanting the homeless people to gather in their parks.

They would rather have people ignore the homeless instead of helping them in any manner. This is despicable. I would hope the publicity over these citations will help these people to find a way to continue feeding the homeless.

[hughee99]

14. These are clearly dangerous people and should be sentenced harshly!

If I were the judge, I'd sentence them to 10,000 hours of community services serving free meals at Manatee Island Park.