The city of St. Augustine has a new approach to combating homelessness and panhandling in the area.
They opened eight new beds at the St. Francis House.
The city relaxed its panhandling enforcement after federal courts held the First Amendment protects the activity.
We spoke to a homeless man who says he doesn't think extra beds will solve the City of St. Augustine's homeless problem. Find out why tonight. @ActionNewsJax @WOKVNews pic.twitter.com/paXW7JLaR0
— Varisa Lall Dass (@vldass) December 14, 2017
Now the city tells Action News Jax they are in the process of rewriting their ordinances and are looking for creative ways to curtail homelessness and panhandling in the area.
They hope the new beds, among other things, can help stop panhandling activity in the area.
We spoke to another homeless man who says he woke up with frost on his bag this week due to the cooler temps. He still will not utilize the new flex beds the City is offering. Find out why tonight. @ActionNewsJax @WOKVNews pic.twitter.com/1D4J9etVwM
— Varisa Lall Dass (@vldass) December 14, 2017
But one homeless man we spoke to said the new beds will not help people like him.
“It doesn’t really help much because I have service animals, I can’t bring my dogs into the shelter,” Adam Mutschler said.
We spoke to City Manager John Regan who tells us these additional beds for the homeless will provide them with not only more shelter, but more access to rehabilitative treatments for drug and mental health issues. @ActionNewsJax @WOKVNews pic.twitter.com/Pc52iKv5e3
— Varisa Lall Dass (@vldass) December 14, 2017
When we called the St. Francis House, they confirmed what Mutschler said. We were told service animals were not allowed in the house dorms and would have to stay at a separate shelter.
“Just giving someone a bed is not enough. And it’s not going to fix their drug addiction or schizophrenia,” Mutschler said.
8 of the beds will go to the St. Francis house. They would not let us go inside to shoot the beds. We contacted their main office and are waiting to hear back. @ActionNewsJax @WOKVNews pic.twitter.com/R3qRZaEblI
— Varisa Lall Dass (@vldass) December 14, 2017
When we asked the city what treatment services they have for the homeless, they told us the St. Francis House can put their residents in contact with appropriate services.
Federal courts held panhandling is protected under the first amendment. The City tells me they're rewriting their ordinances to try and comply with the first amendment, while eradicating panhandling. This is precedent for the area and we'll let you know when it hits the courts. pic.twitter.com/768kHE5qnQ
— Varisa Lall Dass (@vldass) December 14, 2017
I asked City Manager John Regan “By adding these extra beds, is one of the goals to reduce panhandling?” He said, “Our goal is absolutely to reduce and eliminate panhandling in St. Augustine.” @ActionNewsJax @WOKVNews pic.twitter.com/1msO1VuNI0
— Varisa Lall Dass (@vldass) December 14, 2017
I called the St. Francis house and asked if they allowed service dogs at the facility. They said the dogs are not allowed in the dorms, but can stay at temporary animal shelters. @ActionNewsJax @WOKVNews pic.twitter.com/4rksScDfm8
— Varisa Lall Dass (@vldass) December 14, 2017
Fed. cts held panhandling is constitutionally protected by 1st amendment. Cts hold 1st amendment rights to the strictest standard. To ban panhandling, city has to prove there is a compelling governmental interest, narrowly tailored to meet goal, and it's least restrictive way pic.twitter.com/zxDPWZPKfX
— Varisa Lall Dass (@vldass) December 14, 2017
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