Judge stays enforcement of city ordinance making it a crime to feed the homeless
A Florida judge on Tuesday stayed enforcement of a controversial Fort Lauderdale ordinance that imposes restrictions on feeding homeless people in parks and public places and makes it a crime to violate these rules.
The decision by Broward Circuit Judge Thomas Lynch concerns Arnold Abbott, 90, who has been cited repeatedly for violating the new law after feeding homeless individuals at the beach for years, the Sun Sentinel reports.
Lynch imposed a 30-day ban on further enforcement and ordered the parties into mediation.
Attorney John David, who represents Abbott, told the newspaper his client is elated by the stay.
The city says it may appeal, the Associated Press reports.
The ordinance restricts areas where the homeless may be fed and requires that property owner permission and public toilets be provided. Violators can reportedly be punished by a jail term of up to 60 days.
Related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Three people cited for violating Florida city’s new restrictions on feeding homeless”
See also:
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