[Orlando] Food Not Bombs members Adam Ulrich (left), 22, and Alexandra Willard, 17, dsitribute meals out of a van next to Lake Eola Park in Orlando on Wednesday.
Homeless-meal clash still simmers
The ACLU and others hope to cook up a compromise in the battle over Lake Eola.
Rich Mckay | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted August 2, 2006
Orlando's controversial group-feeding ordinance is headed for another showdown today as the charity [Orlando] Food Not Bombs plans to defy the city -- again.
The Orlando City Council recently made it unlawful for any group or individual to feed 25 or more people in a downtown park without a special permit.
The permits would be available to any individual or group just twice a year.
It was an effort to keep charitable groups from turning Lake Eola Park into a soup kitchen.
Some downtown business owners and residents have complained that hordes of homeless flock to the parks for meals and then hang around.
Some complained about aggressive panhandling, crime blamed on the homeless and sanitation issues.
But [Orlando] Food Not Bombs' ["]leaders["] [members] have said they plan to continue Wednesday night feedings regardless of city sanctions.
The group -- while not popular with local restauranteurs and business leaders -- has the backing of the American Civil Liberties Union, which has said if one person can eat his or her lunch in the park, then everyone can.
Last week, [Orlando] Food Not Bombs' ["]leaders["] [members] skirted the ordinance by allowing just three people at a time to come to their legally parked vehicle and get a meal.
Wherever the people went to eat their food, including the park, was their own business.
The city attorney's office was still studying the issue this week and hasn't said whether the group ran afoul of the law.
Violators face a possible 60-day jail sentence or $500 fine, or both.
But in one concession, the city is offering the permits free.
Typically, if a group wanted to reserve the picnic area of a park, there would be a fee based on group size.
For a family reunion with about 30 people, the cost would be about $60.
George Crossley, president of the local chapter of the ACLU, said he and other groups are drafting a compromise proposal to the city.
He said it includes having the city nullify the new ordinance.
"We're hammering out a counterproposal," Crossley said.
"We want to make a good-faith effort to show the city that there's a better way to handle this."
Rich McKay can be reached at rmckay@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5470. • • •
[Orlando] Food Not Bombs members Adam Ulrich (left), 22, and Alexandra Willard, 17, dsitribute meals out of a van next to Lake Eola Park in Orlando on Wednesday.
Bobby Wilson, 50, eats a meal provided to him by [Orlando] Food Not Bombs at Lake Eola Park on Wednesday.
Food, but no fight, at Lake Eola Park
Rich Mckay
Sentinel Staff Writer
July 27, 2006
It had the ingredients for a skirmish: Police hauling defiant activists off to jail for feeding the homeless and blemishing Orlando's friendly name.
Instead, calm prevailed Wednesday at Lake Eola Park. A new ordinance banning group feedings in downtown parks was skirted and the homeless still ate.
A half-dozen police officers looked on as 40 or so homeless people munched on hot rice casserole under the park's canopy of oak bows.
But the battle isn't over.
The conflict stems from a rule the City Council passed Monday aimed at keeping charitable groups from turning Lake Eola Park into a soup kitchen.
Some downtown residents and business owners had complained that hordes of homeless people flock to the parks for the free meals, and then aggressively panhandle, use the bushes as toilets and commit crimes.
But groups such as [Orlando] Food Not Bombs and the American Civil Liberties Union said that the city has no authority to keep people -- homeless or not -- from having equal access to the park. If one person is allowed to sit and eat a sandwich in the park, then everyone can, they argue.
About 10 members of [Orlando] Food Not Bombs and George Crossley, president of the local ACLU chapter, risked violating the ordinance, which carries a penalty of 60 days in jail, a $500 fine or both.
But both sides came prepared to avoid that.
Street becomes loophole
The [Orlando] Food Not Bombs leaders [members] found what they say is a loophole. The rules cap the feedings at 24 people, including the servers, in the park. But Wednesday, they didn't technically feed anyone in the park. From a van parked on the street, Adam Ulrich and Alexandra Willard of [Orlando] Food Not Bombs doled out large portions of casserole, green salad and diced bananas.
"Wherever they go after we feed them, well, that's their own business," said John Hughes, another volunteer.
Crossley brought printed copies of the ordinance to show officers that they weren't in violation.
But that wasn't necessary -- this time, at least.
Police officers also came armed with an already-signed, one-time-use permit for the group, which would have made Wednesday's feeding legal.
"This is a new ordinance. People may not yet understand all the requirements, so we want to work with them," said Sgt. Barbara Jones, an OPD spokeswoman at the scene.
But some of the homeless were deterred just by the sight of a half-dozen police officers.
Uniforms scare him
Bobby Akins, 55, who says he has been homeless for eight months, just walked away when he saw their uniforms.
"Yes, I'm hungry, but I'd rather be that, than be arrested," he said.
Others, including Karen Agnew, 53, who also said she is homeless, ate in peace in the park. She especially liked the potatoes.
Crossley said: "I think we've won. We got to feed people and didn't break the law."
Group leaders [members] say they're still weighing legal options and will be back next week.
Rich McKay can be reached at rmckay@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5470.