End Homelessness

 I agree this is inhuman against homeless people... then again look who controls this town and you may understand why this is happening.. 

St. Petersburg, Florida  needs to boycott  and never visit it at all... then when the town goes bankrupt and their own homeowners goes homeless.. and they get arrested themselves  maybe the laws will change.

So their solution of taking the homeless off the streets are putting them in jail, where it'll only cost them more money as opposed to building adequate shelters, to take care of them?

When cities pass these types of ordinances it really seems like they don't even consider what the consequences will be. People said some really hateful things towards homeless people in the comments section of that article you cited as well. I'm originally from the St. Pete area, so I check the online St. Pete Times pretty often, and I cited the same article in a post that I wrote on my blog about the subject as well. You can visit my blog here: http://www.povertyplanningpolitics.com/2009/05/st-petersburg-sued-for-ordinances.html

If you have the time, you could read it if you'd like. I apologize, I'm a little more long-winded when I'm frustrated about these types of things. Dina, I actually brought up your point in my post as well.
Thank you Shannon, for exposing these outrageous ordinances on change.org! Hopefully we can get enough people tuned into the problem of the criminalization of homelessness in the inner cities to push for major changes!

Who wants to be homeless?

No one. Right? If those homeless people will be given an opportunity have a pleasant home or a pleasant way of living then absolutely they will not go back on sleeping on public parks. Why not the government of St. Petersburg, Florida have not think of this? Instead of criminalizing the homeless whey don't they give then a desent life. I agree that instead of wasting their money on putting this people in jail, why don't they help them anyway. Eventhough they are homeless, they are still people like us, they still have the right to live a good life.

St. Petersburg, Florida wake up and help them.

Marty, exactly. It really looks as if the St. Peterburg Mayor and City Council think that homeless people just love living on the street when they pass and enforce ordinances like this. Personally, I think that Rick Baker and some of those City Council members should try living on the street for a couple weeks and see if they still think the same way.

This is so wrong to do this to the homeless, Its hard enough on them every day to get by much less having cops messing with you. They don't know what its like maybe if they were in there shoe's they would be more understanding. I have been there and I know what its like. I'm far from rich nor my husband for we both are on disabilty, when I see anyone if I have any money I will give it and pray for them to make it. It breaks my heart to see it. Jesus loved the poor and homeless for even himself was homeless.

A “SINGLE VOICE PROJECT” is the official name of the petition sponsored by:  The National Public Service Council To Abolish Private Prisons (NPSCTAPP)

THIS PETITION SEEKS TO ABOLISH ALL PRIVATE PRISONS IN THE UNITED STATES, (or any place subject to its jurisdiction)


The National Public Service Council To Abolish Private Prisons (NPSCTAPP) is a grass roots organization driven by a single objective. We want the United States government to reclaim sole authority for state and federal prisons on US soil.
We want the United States Congress to immediately rescind all state and federal contracts that permit private prisons “for profit” to exist in the United States, or any place subject to its jurisdiction. We understand that the problems that currently plague our government, its criminal justice system and in particular, the state & federal bureau of prisons (and most correctional and rehabilitation facilities) are massive.  However, it is our solemn belief that the solutions for prison reform will remain unattainable and virtually impossible as long as private prisons for profit are permitted to operate in America.

Prior to the past month, and the fiasco of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, AIG, Lehman Brothers, and now the “Big Three” American Automobile manufacturers, the NPSCTAPP has always felt compelled to highlight the “moral Bottom line” when it comes to corrections and privatization. Although, we remain confounded by the reality that our government has allowed our justice system to be operated by private interests.  The NPSCTAPP philosophy has always been “justice” should not be for sale at any price.  It is our belief that the inherent and most fundamental responsibility of the criminal justice system should not be shirked, or “jobbed-out.” This is not the same as privatizing the post office or some trash pick up service in the community. There has to be a loss of meaning and purpose when an inmate looks at a guard’s uniform and instead of seeing an emblem that reads State Department of Corrections or Federal Bureau of Prisons, he sees one that says: “Atlas Prison Corporation.”

 Let’s assume that the real danger of privatization is not some innate inhumanity on the part of its practitioners but rather the added financial incentives that reward inhumanity. The same logic that motivates companies to operate prisons more efficiently also encourages them to cut corners at the expense of workers, prisoners and the public.  Every penny they do not spend on food, medical care or training for guards is a dime they can pocket.  What happens when the pennies pocketed are not enough for the shareholders? Who will bailout the private prison industry when they hold the government and the American people hostage with the threat of financial failure…“bankruptcy?”  What was unimaginable a month ago merits serious consideration today. State and Federal prison programs originate from government design, and therefore, need to be maintained by the government.  It’s time to restore the principles and the vacated promise of our judicial system. 



John F. Kennedy said, “The time to repair the roof is while the sun is shinning”. Well the sun may not be shinning but, it’s not a bad time to begin repair on a dangerous roof that is certain to fall…. because, “Incarcerating people for profit is, in a word WRONG”

There is an urgent need for the good people of this country to emerge from the shadows of cynicism, indifference, apathy and those other dark places that we migrate to when we are overwhelmed by frustration and the loss of hope.
It is our hope that you will support the NPSCTAPP with a show of solidarity by signing our petition. We intend to assemble a collection of one million signatures, which will subsequently be attached to a proposition for consideration. This proposition will be presented to both, the Speaker Of The House Of Representatives (Nancy Pelosi) and the United States Congress.


Please Help Us. We Need Your Support. Help Us Spread The Word About This Monumental And Courageous Challenge To Create Positive Change. Place The Link To The Petition On Your Website! Pass It On!

The SINGLE VOICE PETITION and the effort to abolish private “for profit” prisons is the sole intent of NPSCTAPP. Our project does not contain any additional agendas. We have no solutions or suggestions regarding prison reform. However, we are unyielding in our belief that the answers to the many problems which currently plague this nation’s criminal justice system and its penal system in particular, cannot and will not be found within or assisted by the private “for profit” prison business. The private “for profit” prison business has a stranglehold on our criminal justice system. Its vice-like grip continues to choke the possibility of justice, fairness, and responsibility from both state and federal systems. 
These new slave plantations are not the answer!

For more information please visit: http://www.npsctapp.blogspot.com
To sign the petition please visit: http://www.petitiononline.com/gufree2/petition.html

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Our City, Asbury Park, NJ, arrests Homeless People for doing Nothing Wrong, as well! But they don't even HAVE the Ordinances (Legal or NOT) to do it with! Nobody even objects (Except for a small group like myself, and we are castigated for it). I don't even KNOW what to do, even though I am an advocate for the Homeless. They (City Government People) had my Car Vandalized THREE Times last year to "Threaten & Punish" me, and now I have NO Car!

The Shame in America~~criminalizing the poor~instead of helping them~~cops putting them in jails & prisons no wonder the nations prisons are dangerously over crowded~Gross Medical neglect,causing inmates to die unnecessarily~The Homeless did not commit a crime,they are the homeless poor~~ May the people start waking up,in this economy,anyone can became homeless in a heart beat !   God Bless America !!

What can you expect from the State of Florida when they allow gay couples to foster children until they are 18 but will not allow them to adopt?  Also, allowed the legal murder of Terry Schiavo.  Homeless people are a piece of cake for them!  Our Federal Government should have equal laws for the homeless in every state.

Let's resolve the issue. #1, Let's get someone in each state to donate 200 or more acres for a homeless site..#2, Each homeless person must work on the site, according to his talents and capabilities. In the beginning food will have to be donated to the homeless site #3, A huge Victory garden will be put in and cared for by the homeless. Apple trees planted etc. #4, Any homeless person who is not taking on his share of responsiblity can not stay at THS(The Homeless Site)....#5Retirees may contribute their expertise or any person or group with something to offer the homeless site. #6, 24 hour surveilance camera a must #7, THS will be strictly a donation site #8, Please,everyone, add or subtract ideas..These people need help.    

Hi,

I am without housing. I am not any of the things the public sees in people without housing. A job and a paycheck would change this situation for me in one or two weeks. You losing your paycheck would make you live on the sreets in the same one or two weeks,  maybe a month. It's just a financial situation. When Judgement Day comes for all of the Bible readers what will they say to God about the disdain they have shown toward His other children?

Yesterday I went to a favorite park along the river. I eat some food, read a bit, and photograph the river and wildlife there. I was rather dismayed when a local police officer approached me saying that he received a call that I was asking for money. I said no such thing officer. Actually, there weren't even any people in the park except for some in their cars. We went back and forth on this and I finally told him that people are always calling in reporting falsehoods in an effort to impose the police on others unlawfully. It rings of Communist Russia when neighbors would call in on other neighbors and the KGB would take them away to jail or Siberia. Our society is becoming just like that but I assured the officer that without anger but with resolve I will work with the information laws and gain the identity of the callers and impose prosecution upon them under Florida Statute for falsifying a report, a felony. I also reported the incident to the ACLU and am hoping for legal support in this cause. I write, make video presentations, and resist lawfully these transgressions. Please watch my You Yube for these presentations. Thank you.

www.youtube.com/pierresplace