A new ordinance in Shawnee, Oklahoma, will fine good samaritans for giving meals to homeless people — unless they have a permit.
Any person handing out food without a permit will be fined $250 for a first offense and $500 for subsequent offenses.
The city claimed that people handing out free food has led to trash being left for people to clean up.
“There were two and three groups coming into feed or where groups have left and left trash in the downtown area, which then either city staff had to clean up or nearby property owners depending on which way the trash blew,” said Shawnee City Manager Andrea Weckmueller-Behringer, according to a report from local station KOCO.
There will be an exception for giving out food to fewer than four people.
Don’t cater to it and it won’t grow like it has in Wicomico
If it is free they will come., at which point it becomes an entitlement and they will DEMAND more.
Feeding just encourages them more. Feed a stray cat and it will come back tomorrow for more. Keep feeding and it and it will bring more strays
Hope you folks never have to see a hungry day!