An Arizona woman has filed a lawsuit against the city of Bullhead after she was arrested for feeding the homeless at a public park.
RELATED STORIES: Homeless Man Refuses To Leave Los Angeles Woman’s Front Porch
After being detained by police in March while distributing food to the homeless at Bullhead City Community Park, Norma Thornton, 78, was taken into custody. According to NPR, she was accused of breaking municipal law by distributing prepared food in a park without a permit. The Institute for Justice is requesting that the ordinance be completely scrapped on the grounds that it breaches numerous civil rights that Thorton is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment.
The arrest of Thornton was opposed by the police officer in the bodycam footage, who then called his superior and described the incident as a “PR disaster.” Thornton has been feeding the homeless for the past four years because she encountered a similar scenario in her life and felt compelled to give back to the neighborhood.
RELATED STORIES: From Homeless To Millionaire! Palestinian Refugee On Launching Successful Spa Franchise And Being Emancipated At 15
City officials released a statement in response to the lawsuit and said people are free to feed the homeless in any place of residence or business. Still, the ordinance only applies to public parks.
“After years of complaints from families who desired to utilize City parks, the City Council adopted its Food Sharing Event ordinance (Bullhead City Municipal Code, Chapter 5.36). The ordinance does not stop individuals or groups from distributing food or drink to a homeless person, or any other person, in a City park if the food or drink is, “sealed prepackaged foods readily available from retail outlets and intended for consumption directly from the package.”
If the serving of hot-prepared food is desired, it can be accomplished with a City permit but requires the demonstration of a food handler permit. The City takes the safety of its vulnerable populations seriously. It works to ensure that the food provided to the homeless, as with other members of the public, has been prepared, handled, and served safely and responsibly.These stipulations are also required of any individual, organization, or business desiring to serve that type of food for a non-social (public-at-large) event. The ordinance does not apply to private groups or family gatherings that do not offer or advertise food available for the public at-large. The ordinance does not apply to individuals or organizations who serve the food of their choice from private property, such as a church or civic club location.”
Despite the lawsuit, Thorton is feeding the homeless at a temporary location in a private alleyway near a local business.
The post Grandmother Sues City Over Arrest For Feeding The Homeless appeared first on Hollywood Unlocked .