Sarasota Livin'

Another Court decision I disagree with:

County Judge David L. Denkin on Tuesday wrote that the city's "no lodging" ordinance -- the offspring of its "no camping" rule -- gave police officers too much discretion in deciding who is a threat to public health and safety, and who is just taking a nap on the beach.

The judge, however, recognized the "good intentions" of the city commissioners, who may take a third try at an ordinance they say is important to Sarasota residents.

"The public wants it," said Commissioner Ken Shelin. "The public expects it. The public needs it."

........

In the past few years, the issue of how to treat the homeless created debate in a city that takes a "tough love" approach, as a former mayor once put it.

Just as the Salvation Army opened a sparkling new $10.5 million shelter, for instance, police were in the midst of arresting more than 500 people for violating the no-camping rule.

The ordinance drew jeers from one national advocacy group, which branded Sarasota the 11th-meanest U.S. city when it comes to dealing with the homeless.

Most of those arrested were camping on private property such as railroad right of ways. The police are convinced those they are arresting are the cause of lots of local crime. Since we have the Salvation Army facility and it has never turned anyone away because it is full then those sleeping in "camps" must just like sleeping outside or they have "problems" the Salvation Army won't tolerate ... such as alcohol or drugs... guess I am pretty mean..