I figured I'd post that story here, along with my commentary in italics.
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SANTA MONICA, California (AP) -- This liberal, beachside town passed two laws that will prohibit homeless people from camping in front of businesses at night and limit free meals served to them.
Both ordinances passed Tuesday aim to appease business owners, tourists and residents who have complained about increasing numbers of homeless people on Santa Monica streets.
"The public is scared and tired and just generally want it stopped," Councilman Herb Katz said. I can support that position.
The first ordinance, passed by a 5-2 vote, seeks to limit free outdoor meals by requiring groups serving 150 or more people to adhere to community event laws and county health standards. If event planners have to conform with the law, then soup lines should, too. That's perfectly reasonable.
The second ordinance, passed unanimously, makes it illegal to sit or lie in downtown doorways from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. if the business owner posts a sign to that effect. Good! Power to the people to control their property, their business, and their lives!
Some homeless advocates said they do not believe the new laws will hold up in court.
"When it's all said and done, the laws will be overturned for unconstitutionality," said Moira LaMountain, a homeless activist. "The city will be forced to come to grips with the issues." Interesting how Moira doesn't say on what grounds the ordinances would be unconstitutional. I suspect she's just ignorantly outraged. Property owners should have the right to control access to, from, and on their property, including their business doorways. Long term, the new laws are setting homeless people up as criminals for violation of local ordinances. While not making poverty a crime, its simply making it a crime to be homeless in certain parts of the city, which is something I can support whole-heartedly.
