ATLANTA, April 13 (UPI) -- An appeals court has ruled a Florida city isn't violating the Constitution by placing restrictions on feeding the homeless in downtown parks.
The ruling by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta means the city of Orlando is free to enforce an ordinance that's been winding its way through the courts for five years now, the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel reported Wednesday.
Business owners and residents near Orlando's Lake Enola Park complained frequent feedings of the homeless at the park drew dozens of transients who would then disperse into surrounding neighborhoods.
As a result of their complaints, the city passed an ordinance in 2006 limiting the number of feedings in any single park by requiring permits for each one and allowing a group only two permits per park each year.
The ordinance was challenged in federal court by an anti-poverty group and a church with a largely homeless population.
City Attorney Mayanne Downs called Tuesday's appellate ruling a "ringing endorsement of the city."
Read More
- Social media may up risk for homeless
- Study: TB in homeless alarmingly high
- Report outlines VA homelessness
- San Francisco count tests homeless policy
- Rising homelessness challenges Florida
- Homeless-clearing law struck down
- Report: Family homelessness up 9 percent
- Orlando approves homeless donation meters
