Oklahoma City’s Ordinance Will Fine People for Feeding Meals to the Homeless Without a Permit
A new ordinance in Shawnee, Oklahoma, will fine good samaritans for giving meals to homeless people — unless they have a permit.
Any person handing out food without a permit will be fined $250 for a first offense and $500 for subsequent offenses.
The city claimed that people handing out free food has led to trash being left for people to clean up.
“There were two and three groups coming into feed or where groups have left and left trash in the downtown area, which then either city staff had to clean up or nearby property owners depending on which way the trash blew,” said Shawnee City Manager Andrea Weckmueller-Behringer, according to a report from local station KOCO.
