NEED. WELL, EVAN, THE CITY OF SHAWNEE SAYS THEY’VE HAD MULTIPLE GROUPS COME HERE INTO THE DOWNTOWN AREA FOR FREE FEEDINGS FOR PEOPLE WITHOUT HOMES AND THEN LEAVE TRASH FOR OTHER PEOPLE TO PICK UP. NOW, THE CITY IS HOPING WITH THIS ORDINANCE, THEY FOUND THE FIX, BUT NOT EVERYBODY IS HAPPY FOR BINS COULD BE COMING TO ANYONE WHO TRIES TO FEED PEOPLE IN DOWNTOWN SHAWNEE IF THEY DON’T HAVE A PERMIT. THERE WERE TWO AND THREE GROUPS COMING IN TO FEED OR WERE GROUPS HAVE LEFT AND 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. THE NEW RULE WOULD NOT OUTLAW HANDING A SINGLE MEAL TO SOMEONE ON THE STREETS, FEEDING OPERATIONS IS ALSO DEFINED AS FOUR OR MORE INDIVIDUALS. ONE WOMAN WHO’S WORKED IN SHELTERS NEAR SHAWNEE FOR YEARS SAYS THIS ISN’T THE RIGHT WAY TO GO ABOUT THINGS. I THOUGHT THAT’S THAT’S OUTRAGEOUS. WE, YOU KNOW, THAT’S A STEP TOO FAR. THEY’RE HUMANS AND THEY DESERVE TO BE TREATED LIKE HUMANS. THE CITY MANAGER TELLS ME PEOPLE CAN’T APPLY FOR A FREE PERMIT TO GIVE OUT FOOD, BUT THEY ENCOURAGE THEM TO WORK WITH THEIR HOMELESS RESOURCE CENTER INSTEAD. WHAT WE WERE TRYING TO DO WAS BALANCE THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY, BE OVERALL AND NOT JUST NOT TIP PROPERTY OWNERS AND BUSINESS OWNERS AGAINST THE HOMELESS NEIGHBORS. BECAUSE WE DO RECOGNIZE THAT EATING IS IS A BASIC REQUIREMENT. THE CITY SAYS A FIRST OFFENSE WILL COST $250 AND $500 FOR A SECOND. BUT THEY STILL WANT PEOPLE TO COME IN AND HELP. YES, I ENCOURAGE THEM TO PULL THE PERMIT JUST SIMPLY AGAIN, IT IS FOR COORDINATION PURPOSES. SO WE DO DO NOT LEAVE AN UNSANITARY ENVIRONMENT ANY ONE COMING
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New Shawnee ordinance would fine those giving out free food without permit
The city of Shawnee said, in the past, it has seen people do free feedings in the downtown area for those without homes, leaving trash for locals to pick up.
Updated: 6:12 PM CDT Nov 2, 2023
A new Shawnee ordinance will soon require people who want to give out free food downtown to get a permit.The city of Shawnee said, in the past, it has seen people do free feedings in the downtown area for those without homes, leaving trash for locals to pick up. The new ordinance aims to address the issue, but not everyone is happy about the decision. >> Download the KOCO 5 App”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. The new rule would not outlaw handing a single meal to someone on the streets. “Feeding operations is defined as four or more individuals,” said Weckmueller-Behringer. One woman who has worked in shelters near Shawnee for years said this isn’t the correct way to address the issue. “I thought, ‘That’s outrageous. That’s a step too far,’” said Sarah Inselman, who works with the homeless community in Shawnee. “They’re humans, and they deserve to be treated like humans.”The city manager said people can apply for a free permit to give out food, but they encourage them to work with their Homeless Resource Center instead. Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.“What we were trying to do was balance the needs of our community overall and not tip property owners and business owners against homeless neighbors because we do recognize that eating is a basic requirement,” said Weckmueller-Behringer.Fines could be issued to anyone who tries to feed multiple people without a permit. The city said a first offense would cost $250, and the second would cost $500. “I encourage them to pull the permit,” said Weckmueller-Behringer. “Just simply, it is for coordination purposes so we do not leave an unsanitary environment.”The city will begin issuing fines starting Thursday, Nov. 16. Top Headlines Crash involving wrecker shuts down northbound lanes of I-35 in Edmond Man driving forklift arrested after slow-speed chase through neighborhood Topping off ceremony set for Okana Resort and Indoor Waterpark hotel project Oklahoma City announces plan to help with homelessness Here’s a look at what movies are coming to theaters in November
A new Shawnee ordinance will soon require people who want to give out free food downtown to get a permit.
The city of Shawnee said, in the past, it has seen people do free feedings in the downtown area for those without homes, leaving trash for locals to pick up. The new ordinance aims to address the issue, but not everyone is happy about the decision.
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>> Download the KOCO 5 App
“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.
The new rule would not outlaw handing a single meal to someone on the streets.
“Feeding operations is defined as four or more individuals,” said Weckmueller-Behringer.
One woman who has worked in shelters near Shawnee for years said this isn’t the correct way to address the issue.
“I thought, ‘That’s outrageous. That’s a step too far,’” said Sarah Inselman, who works with the homeless community in Shawnee. “They’re humans, and they deserve to be treated like humans.”
The city manager said people can apply for a free permit to give out food, but they encourage them to work with their Homeless Resource Center instead.
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.
“What we were trying to do was balance the needs of our community overall and not tip property owners and business owners against homeless neighbors because we do recognize that eating is a basic requirement,” said Weckmueller-Behringer.
Fines could be issued to anyone who tries to feed multiple people without a permit. The city said a first offense would cost $250, and the second would cost $500.
“I encourage them to pull the permit,” said Weckmueller-Behringer. “Just simply, it is for coordination purposes so we do not leave an unsanitary environment.”
The city will begin issuing fines starting Thursday, Nov. 16.
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