There are 74 cities that have laws against the homeless. In Rochester, NY if a homeless person gets caught panhandling
they will face fines and a second violation results in a 15-day jail sentence. Since 2007, St. Petersburg, FL passed six new
ordinances that target homeless people. These ordinances included outlawing panhandling throughout most of downtown,
prohibit the storage of personal belongings on public property, and make it unlawful to sleep outside various locations
(CityMayors Society, 2009, July).
Pensacola, FL has a "no blanket" ordinance. What this means is - it is illegal for a homeless person to cover them self
with a blanket, cardboard box or any type of material that would cover their body. When the City made this ordinance they
did not take into affect this ordinance not only covered the homeless, but the whole community of Pensacola. Anyone using
a blanket to cover themselves could be arrested. What is a homeless person to do when the weather is 17 degrees and
raining and there are no shelters available?
Reference: CityMayors Society (2009, July).
Pictures: http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=homelessness
they will face fines and a second violation results in a 15-day jail sentence. Since 2007, St. Petersburg, FL passed six new
ordinances that target homeless people. These ordinances included outlawing panhandling throughout most of downtown,
prohibit the storage of personal belongings on public property, and make it unlawful to sleep outside various locations
(CityMayors Society, 2009, July).
Pensacola, FL has a "no blanket" ordinance. What this means is - it is illegal for a homeless person to cover them self
with a blanket, cardboard box or any type of material that would cover their body. When the City made this ordinance they
did not take into affect this ordinance not only covered the homeless, but the whole community of Pensacola. Anyone using
a blanket to cover themselves could be arrested. What is a homeless person to do when the weather is 17 degrees and
raining and there are no shelters available?
Reference: CityMayors Society (2009, July).
Pictures: http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=homelessness