Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060721/...eding_homeless

This law has gone into effect, targeting apparent 'mobile soup-kitchens' that feed the homeless, the reason being that with the large gatherings of homeless in the parks, others can't use them. The hope is that the homeless will use city centers or charities that are more helpful than soup kitchens.

The punishment for setting up one of these mobile soup kitchens: max penalty of $1000 and six months in jail.

My take: targetting charities that feed the poor is kind of stupid, especially considering the weather in Las Vegas. God forbid their gambling/tourism industry suffers.

The whole charity thing is optional, and to ban people from being charitous towards the homeless (regardless of views, whether you think they're lazy or just unfortunate) is retarded.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

:eek:

They're homeless, for God's sake. Let them use the parks to eat, they need food etc. more than the rich.

Yet another way for Las Vegas to try and drag the tourists in:

"No added homeless people!"

They can count me out.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

I remember we had a similar thing happen in Tampa.

Its as simple as this: If the government is not willing to step up their help for the homeless, then that is when these groups appear, and they are getting penalized for helping people who can't help themselves? That is screwed up. But omfg "what are we going to do with those homeless that are in our parks? maybe we should kick out the people who encourage them to meet there for food!"

If the government isn't willing to help the homeless, then by all means, let these people help.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

Aren't these park supposed to be, PUBLIC? I don't think that a lack of a home makes you any less the public.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

EXACTLY! they're pretty much killing people, in order to attract more tourists, it's just plain retarded, yes, i called the Las Vegas City Council retarded.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

Find me a homeless person who lost his job and was forced to live under a bridge. They like being homeless. They like not having to work for anything. They like not having any responsbility. All the soup stands are doing is encoraging this behavior.

Get a job bums, and stop leeching off of people. And don't give me any "there are no jobs" crap. There are jobs out there. They are not the best paying or most glamarous jobs out there, but they will get you off the street.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

Hmm, I dont think you get it, pethegreat. The law is trying to force people to leave the parks and seek help at designed shelters. Many homeless people are drug addicts or mentally ill, so there is not this lazy mentality.

Las Vegas wants the homeless to leave the parks because they are turning them into places of residence instead of going to a shelter to find help. By removing the ability to stay in the park they are forcing them to find help.

This is not the best way to remedy this problem, but if you have homes and business who live near a park with homeless people, "some of whom have people urinating and defecating in front of their door".

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

The homeless don't like the shelters anyways... or they'd be in them.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

What you say is all very well and good, but you don't actually know what you're talking about, do you? A close friend of my family was homeless for two years. He hated every moment of it.

Perhaps it might be a good idea to back up your opinions with a bit of fact.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

"A close friend of my family was homeless for two years. He hated every moment of it." - Fez Boy. Good one. :rolleyes:

The "fact" is that Pethegreat is completely right. The very great majority of the homeless are there because they put themselves there. If they want to eat, they can go to a shelter. If they "don't like the shelter" then guess what: tough shit!

However, I am opposed to this law, but not because I have any sympathy whatsoever for the homeless (except for the mentally handicapped among them).

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

Then why did you not take him in? Friends help friends. I am fine with chartiy for those who want to take it and make something of it. I am fine with some guy using a shelter as a place to sleep while he saves his money to afford a place to live. I am not fine with some homeless drunk leeching off people to live.

Beggars cannot be choosers.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

Actually, some find their standard of living to be higher living on the streets than stuggling to live with a job that doesn't pay enough for the lifestyle it requires. Some find it easier. Some of them are there out of choice, who don't want to have to live by someone else's terms, under another's control. There are ways to get good food for little or no money, if you know how.

Let the charities do their work, even though they shouldn't have to as a government of, by, and for the people should be looking after them.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

i agree
its forcing them to go to shelters where they can be helped better than on the streets/parks. i wouldnt want to see homeless in my park going to the bathroom(you get what i mean), or digging through a trash can. most homeless are alcoholics/duggies or mentally ill, ive read that some mentally ill think their way of life is completly normal. i think they should be forced into a shelter.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

How about we allow mobile insane asylums, and exercise clubs for serial killers in the parks?

Because of all of these druggies, drunks, and the like - the parks were almost unusable by the rest of the population.

The money and time being put into those "mobile soup kitchens" can now be refocused on better located facilities.

The law is sensible.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

It was before we knew him.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

You can see what they are trying to do by enforcing this. Boost tourism and the economy by pretending the problem doesnt exist. I doubt the people who brought the bill through thought about the effect it will have on the homeless.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

Wait there are going to fine $1000 to a homless person?
now thats dumb and stupid, even being kind is against the law.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

no, you should read it properly mate. They are going to fine the people setting up these mobile soup kitchens to help the homeless. That would be ridiculous if they fined the homeless, might as well just throw them straight into jail and let them rot.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

ok my mistake, missed the mobile soup bit.

its still wrong, its a kind gesture rewarded with a punishment

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

Wait... This bill would only fine the mobile soup-kitchens? I thought it would fine anyone offering a hand-out to the homeless while walking down the street. I revoke my previous stance; I'm all for it. These soup-kitchens are not helping; freebies aren't the way to get the homeless of the streets. Get them into a shelter, get them clean clothes and get them a job.

And to those who say that this bill is to further boost the vice-fueled economy of Las Vegas, you're exactly right. There isn't anything wrong (necessarily) with bolstering the economy, though. When tourists quit traveling to Las Vegas because they're sick of stepping over burn-outs and drunks, just to get back to their car, they'll think twice about spending money in Vegas, next time. And when the soup-kitchens merely make the problem worse with their "charity", everyone suffers; the homeless refuse to help themselves, lest they run the risk of having to pay for what they eat.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

i cant wait til i see Las Vegas in ruins from no tourist...

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

The economy in Vegas is already inflated enough through the frequent flow of people that travel there because of the gambling industry.

Because of this i whole heartidly agree with loco when he says that people will stop traveling to Vegas because the homeless people are becoming a problem there. Not only do they make the place look untidy but they are also rude/smelly drunks and wasters and also in many cases disease ridden, this will no doubt stop people from wanting to visit right.

As was also said the money which has been wasted on soup kitchens could have been spent better in cleaning the place up and ridding the streets of the bums, therefore making Vegas a more social place to visit instead of a dumping ground for American wasters.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

I couldn't disagree more (my reasoning below).

I believe the majority of the homeless are either mentally ill and/or substance abusers. Getting a job isn't exactly an easy task considering these two major factors that torment the majority of the homeless. Who is going to hire a crack head or a person who is schizophrenic? It just simply isn't going to happen unless these citizens get help with their issues. Many cannot afford this treatment, therefore they have no other option besides being on the streets. And for the assumption that "they like it on the streets" is ridiculous. Who would want to be eating scraps out of a trash can and living in a roach filled cardboard box?

In a nutshell, the more aid towards mental illness and substance abuse programs, the less homeless people we be on the streets. While it's hard for me to open my arms to drug abusers, I think treatment is the best option.

How did serial killers get into the equation? Is that even related to this conversation or just a ploy to detract our attention away from the issue? ;)

I suppose we should just stew up a big vat of acid and dip all of the homeless into it. Sounds like a plan to me. :p

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

So your saying all homeless people are a complete waste of space really? Im sure there are some who can reform and try to fit back into society although this would be at a low level. It cant be a completely lost cause.
Nope only the chance of more drugs an alcohol will shift them.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

How many people go to Las Vegas for the parks?

A charity spending it's own money setting up these soup kitchens, perfectly legally, is now told it can't. A gathering of people, yes, homeless people are still people, is not illegal. If some piss in doorways arrest them for civil disobedience or whatever. If there was enough support from shelters these kitchens would not exist.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

I see your point about them being only human but in societies eyes they are considered a low form of human. As has been said before most are druggies,alcoholics,disease ridden and/or mentally unstable hence why they are out on the street in the first place.
Most also refuse to take the help which is offered to them as they enjoy the lifestyle they are living rotting in the sewers.If thats what they want leave them to it.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

Great, again a fascist law that removes freedom in the USA...

Punish charity groups and force the outcasts of the capitalist society back into overcrowded, dirty facilities where they can be monitored easily by the state. So that no rich tourist gets offended while leaving his money in town.

Obviously, poor people have no lobby (and no rights) in the USA. I assume some guys on this forum would even propose labour camps for them...

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

so what if theres too many homeless in the park. its called a PUBLIC park... to all those las vegas residents. you are more filthy then those homeless people...

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

Exactly. They are poor not because of some villainous society - they are poor because of their own - if you'll excuse the pun - poor choices.

Take food for example. Us middle class people buy cheap, frozen food from stores like Safeway. However, the poor people we see tend to buy easy, prepared food. However, prepared food is far more expensive than frozen food. Middle class people buy beer in cheap packs. Poor people buy it one bottle at a time.

They are poor because they are irresponsible, and only see in the short term. This is a generalization yes, but a reliable one.

Its not Disney World. People live there you know.;)

A moot point. If I set up a stand offering free hundred dollar bills, I would get lots of "support" too. People love getting free stuff, but that doesn't mean its beneficial to the neighborhood.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

Nevertheless, it takes away freedom from the charity groups - and the people who would benefit from them.
Of course, this is an evil law and another step to tyranny.

The heartless corrupt politicians who passed this law should burn in hell (if there is one).

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

Parks are public land. The officials hold the responsibility of making decisions about it. Also note that there are lots of people living near these places. I don't have the statistics, but I'll bet they were less than thrilled about having all those hobos wandering about 12 feet away from their houses.

An owner has every right to make decisions about his land. I doubt you would be very happy if a charity set up a trailer in YOUR front yard.

If the voters disagree with the decision, they can vote for someone else come next election.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

As said before, it is PUBLIC ground for a reason. Every citizen (even the underprivileged ones) should be allowed to be there. Otherwise it were not public. Forcing them away by removing the charity groups is evil.

The tyranny of the majority. The rich majority votes away the freedom of the poor citizens. Rich "mob" rule ;).

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

I know people live there, what was being said by some is that it would affect tourism, something not stated within the article.

I did not use "support" in terms of popularity amoungst homeless people but in terms of help from shelters, I thought that was clear, I guess not. Your actions would be entirely legal, as would a gathering of people coming to recieve the free money. If some were to spend that money to buy drugs (although in the case of food there is little you could do but eat it) it is not your fault, nor is it the fault of the others who use the money for beneficial purposes. Those that buy the drugs should be punished, not you and everyone else benefiting from your actions. Simply banning everything would not address the problem of drug use properly, nor does this law address homelessness properly. Some do wrong, so punish everyone.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

They should be rounded up and taken to research facilities to be experiemented on. They serve no other purpose to society so we might as well treat them like the vermin they are.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

Do you really think the world would be better with more Josef Mengeles who experiment with the "vermin" of the society?
I hope you didn't mean this seriously.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought something like 70% of the US's wealth is held by 20% of the population. Hardly a majority there.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

You assume that "everyone" is being punished. So the people who live near the parks, and use the parks, are irrelevant? I doubt this law would have happened without local complaints about the bums.

I'm glad that they actually got a say in the matter. In my city, and insane asylum was put into a neighborhood, despite huge protests from the people living there.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

I doubt that the majority of Las Vegas politicians belongs to the lower classes.
Obviously these rich corrupt politicians hate the lower classes.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

No, I wasn't being serious, but at the same time I don't think that charity is the way forward. Like the US, and like all other developed countries, homelessness is a plagued which blights society. These people need to be properaly assessed and if they are capable of work; put to work. I'm sick of having my taxes pay for a bunch of lazy, anti-social misfits. Get jobs!

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

They won't get jobs as long as they are getting free food, shelter, and money.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

Every homeless person is being punished, regardless of whether they have commited an offence or not. It is not a crime to sit in a public park. I doubt many locals complained homeless people were been given free food, they may have objected to the pissing in doorways etc, but then punish those idividuals, not all of them. This method is not addressing the problem properly.

Then why do your parents work? These people need help, not to be starved to death. If the council said we're banning soup kitchens but setting up 2 more shelters I might be more understanding.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

I found a stat that some 33% of homeless men in America are war veterans.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

Quote:

I found a stat that some 33% of homeless men in America are war veterans.

That would be a misleading statistic.

-45% of these men suffer mental illness.

-More than 2/3 of them served before the Vietnam War - older people have a harder time financially - which compounds the problem of mental illness and financial irresponsibility.

-The military attracts all sorts of people, many of whom are unfortunately less undesirable individuals.

So no, I am not surprised that a third of homeless men served in uniform at one time or another.


Are you accusing my parents of taking welfare money? Since you mentioned my parents, are you accusing ME of not having a job?

Why do your parents work? :rolleyes: (BTW - what do our parents have to do with any of this anyway?)

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

I doubt you pay much taxes for homeless. Well, at least, where I am, that's how it is...

I mean, you can't give them social aid paychecks because they don't have lodging nor any adress and they can't get an adress because they don't have any social aid!;)

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

Why won't those homeless people make an effort and get a job?

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

Why should you, when the government is more than willing to pick up the tab for you?

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

I think that what most of you fail to realize is that many, if not most, homeless people are unable to get a job due to mental illness, drug or alchohol addiction, lack of education, and the general neglect of the urban inner city (esp. in the USA).

They are not like this because they are lazy, but because they are unable to succeed.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

As far as I can tell, the ghettos are no worse than the British inner city, or the Parisian slums.

Yes. But this inability lies within themselves. It is unfair to expect others to pay for their own laziness/drunkeness/mental instability.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

I specifically mentioned the USA because I am more familiar with the contions of the urban inner city here than in Europe. I did not want to make broad generalizations just to be proven inncorrect later, thus negating my arguement.

How are people paying for others to be homeless? Soup kitchens, food banks, and shelters do get money from the gov't, but a lot comes from charities and donations.

It is the lack of money that people are giving to organizations helping homeless people that is forcing the government to spend more on them.

Re: Las Vegas bans feeding homeless in parks
 

That doesn't give anyone the right to place an undue obligation on everyone else.

Anderson Cooper even did a great bit on Oprah one day about the homeless. He talked about how easy it actually is to get on your feet, if you're ambitious enough. If you know Anderson Cooper, or Oprah for that matter, you'll know that this is an unexpected thing for him to say. The only thing stopping the homeless from bettering themselves is themselves.