Tali Catz
student
- July 15, 2009 • 9:37 pm PDT
- + responses
NPR - Two Washington-based groups - the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, and the National Coalition for the Homeless have complied a list of the top ten meanest municipalities in the country as a part of their "Homes not Handcuffs" report.
1. Los Angeles
2. St. Petersburg, Fla.
3. Orlando, Fla.
4. Atlanta
5. Gainesville, Fla.
6. Kalamazoo, Mich.
7. San Francisco
8. Honolulu
9. Bradenton, Fla.
10. Berkeley, Calif.
The survey shows "an increase in the trend in cities around the country to criminalize homelessness." The past three years have shown an 11% increase in anti-loitering laws and 7% rise in reuglations banning camping in certain public places, directly affecting homeless people.
NLCHP Executive Director Maria Foscarinis: "The meanest cities are cracking down on people for living in public places and for begging and eating and for seeking assistance in public places. Some cities are also punishing organizations and some people who are trying to help by offering food to poor people in public places."
There are other 'mean' things a city can change or enforce, just to increase unlawful activity, which places them on the top ten list. Largest number of quick-changing yellow traffic lights, or least garbage pickups per month. Better chances for you to get busted running a red light, or littering.
Maria Foscarinis urges cities across the country to take more constructive approaches: providing housing, jobs and social services. In the end, she says, "that's more cost effective than deploying more police and spending more money on prisons and jails."
1. Los Angeles
2. St. Petersburg, Fla.
3. Orlando, Fla.
4. Atlanta
5. Gainesville, Fla.
6. Kalamazoo, Mich.
7. San Francisco
8. Honolulu
9. Bradenton, Fla.
10. Berkeley, Calif.
The survey shows "an increase in the trend in cities around the country to criminalize homelessness." The past three years have shown an 11% increase in anti-loitering laws and 7% rise in reuglations banning camping in certain public places, directly affecting homeless people.
NLCHP Executive Director Maria Foscarinis: "The meanest cities are cracking down on people for living in public places and for begging and eating and for seeking assistance in public places. Some cities are also punishing organizations and some people who are trying to help by offering food to poor people in public places."
There are other 'mean' things a city can change or enforce, just to increase unlawful activity, which places them on the top ten list. Largest number of quick-changing yellow traffic lights, or least garbage pickups per month. Better chances for you to get busted running a red light, or littering.
Maria Foscarinis urges cities across the country to take more constructive approaches: providing housing, jobs and social services. In the end, she says, "that's more cost effective than deploying more police and spending more money on prisons and jails."
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