Don't Feed The Homeless, Please
Written by Brian Garst, Posted in The Nanny State & A Regulated Society
Miami is in crisis! But fear not, the government is here to save the day:
Miami residents may have to think twice before giving up their leftovers to the homeless.
The Miami City Commission is set to consider a proposal next month that would prohibit unauthorized people and groups from feeding the homeless downtown, an ordinance proponents say will cut down on litter and ensure the safety of the food the homeless do eat.
The Miami Downtown Development Authority recently approved the measure, sending it up to the commission.
Though the change could draw objections, David Karsh, spokesman for Development Authority Chairman Marc Sarnoff, said the rule isn’t a blanket ban. He said that anybody would be able to feed the homeless, but they would have to go through formal training first — amateurs couldn’t just give up part of their lunch to help someone they meet on the street.
“The ordinance is not by any means meant to discourage people from feeding homeless people,” he told FoxNews.com, adding that homeless advocacy groups support the measure. “Anybody can do it.”
“Formal training” to give food to someone who is hungry?
This is a classic example of how nanny governments crowd out private charity.