Phoenix considers new rules for homeless services in parks

New Phoenix ordinance could criminalize feeding homeless in parks without permits

A proposed Phoenix ordinance could lead to jail time for those who distribute food to the homeless in public parks without a permit. FOX 10's Megan Spector learns more about the new rules sparking debate.

PHOENIX - A possible crackdown is coming to help the homeless in Phoenix. 

What we know:

In just over two weeks, giving homeless people food without a permit could land you in jail. The city is weighing a new ordinance that would criminalize providing medical care or food distribution to the homeless in parks without a permit. 

Timeline:

Back in December, the City Council approved the "Safe Medical Treatment in Parks" ordinance, which bans unauthorized medical events and treatment in all city parks. That was supposed to go into effect on March 30, but was delayed.

If approved, you can only obtain two permits per month for the same park. If you violate this, it is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

What they're saying:

City of Phoenix weighing permits for food, medical aid at parks

Phoenix is taking community feedback surrounding offering services to the homeless at city parks. FOX 10's Megan Spector has more, ahead of the city council vote in a few weeks.

Some support these restrictions because of public safety concerns, but others feel it’s unfairly targeting the homeless population.

"Personally I’ve fed thousands. I mean I’ve been doing food sharing since 2001," Elizabeth Venable, a lead organizer for Fund for Empowerment, said.

Over the last two decades, Venable has seen the direct impact these feeding events have on the community. 

"I can see a bunch of ways in which this ordinance is extremely broad and extremely punitive and extremely limiting of any sort of services in the park. And I also think it hurts people because people actually depend on these programs," Venable said.  "This helps thousands of people in Phoenix all the time.It’s really a way that people stay alive."

Local perspective:

Neighbors like Mohogany Webbs said the services provided at the park weren't just a meal, they were a lifeline.

"Five years ago I was kind of lost in Phoenix," Webbs said. "I’ve been off of fentanyl and pills for two years and two months, and I’ve been going strong, and it’s all because people care. I was at Margaret T. Hance Park. I was at Steele Park. I was at CASS. But by the grace of God and good people like Elizabeth and these programs, I get to stay in this beautiful house in Mesa, and I have wonderful housemates, and I go to classes Monday through Friday."

To Webbs, the ordinance represents a barrier to a much needed support system.

"We depended on it a great amount of time. And there’s people still out there that still do," Webbs said. 

The other side:

Council members backing the plan say it is a matter of public health, arguing these activities overstretch city resources, draw large crowds, and leave behind trash, making it harder for others to enjoy the park. 

"The things that are going on at the parks are prohibiting people from using the stuff they paid for, that their parents paid for, that their grandparents paid for," one said. "So that people could get out and not just watch video games, but get out and get exercise and enjoy the outside."

"This should not be allowed in a park, any park," another added. "It’s not acceptable. We’re trying to get more neighbors and children involved in our parks and the use of drugs is not helping."

What you can do:

To vote in the survey regarding the proposed provisions before the ordinance is presented to city council in May, click here.