NO NEEDLES IN PARKS. I support this ordinance as a fair and equitable option to serve those in need without jeopardizing safety for families wanting to enjoy our parks.
Please oppose this amendment. It is imperative for groups like ours to connect with our unhoused population. We not only feed them fresh home made food, they receive toiletries and clothing. However the most important thing they receive is a sense of community and connection. This is a valuable connection to help them to receive services that gives them the tools to rehabilitate into society. Work done by Brandy Lynn Chard from Billy's Way Home and her volunteers make a difference, thank you.
I strongly oppose this ordinance. Although I can understand the purpose it has been proposed for (e.g. safety), functionally it fails to achieve its goal. This will not solve the problem of unhoused individuals in parks as they already exist there, regardless of outreach stepping forward to provide them food and medical care. Close all parks at 10;00 pm and ENFORCE IT.
This ordinance functionally limits essential medical and nutritional outreach, creating a significant fiscal and social risk. While safety is a valid goal, a two-permit cap per park forces medical care into acute-care settings like ERs. This creates an unnecessary financial burden on taxpayers and strains emergency infrastructure. A more effective approach would support street medicine’s role in reducing hospitalizations. I urge the Council to reconsider this approach.
I urge the Mayor and Phoenix City Council to repeal Ordinance G-7467 and reject the proposed revisions, as they restrict access to basic necessities like food and medical care for our most vulnerable residents, policies that push people further into crisis instead of helping them, and I ask you to choose solutions that uphold dignity and basic human rights.
I strongly oppose this ordinance. Although I can understand the purpose it has been proposed for (e.g. safety), functionally it fails to achieve its goal. This will not solve the problem of unhoused individuals in parks as they already exist there, regardless of outreach stepping forward to provide them food and medical care. This WILL result, however, in increased deaths and hospital burden of critically ill. Both socially and financially our city cannot afford this burden.
The City of Phoenix is framing this park ordinance as a public safety measure, but restricting access to food, medical care, and life-saving harm reduction services does not create safer communities. I strongly oppose this ordinance and call for its full rejection and repeal.
It is very disappoint to see the criminalization of public solidarity. Standing against community mutual aid whilst also not addressing the issues that force people into these precarious conditions is awful, to see time and time again that instead of addressing what causes homelessness, they'd rather push them away once again to hide them from public sight to increase public ratings. Stand with mutual aid, stand against this ordinance!
I strongly oppose this ordinance. Not only has the state eagerly cut so many residents off SNAP but now the city is trying limit the provision of welfare services in public spaces without actually addressing how it would meet these rising needs? This ordinance appears to only be concerned about which class of people would be allowed to use public spaces in order to minimize the presence of our most vulnerable community members. It reads as cruel, antisocial, and inhumane.
I strongly oppose this ordinance. Not only has the state eagerly cut so many residents off SNAP but now the city is trying limit the provision of welfare services in public spaces without actually addressing how it would meet these rising needs? This ordinance appears to only be concerned about which class of people would be allowed to use public spaces in order to minimize the presence of our most vulnerable community members. It reads as cruel, antisocial, and inhumane.
I strongly oppose this ordinance. It does nothing to address the root causes of homelessness and only tries to hide the symptoms. It will only lead to more problems, more costs to taxpayers, and result in lives lost. It is prohibitive and cruel, and does not make our parks safer in any way.
I strongly oppose this ordinance. Providing harm reduction, food, and medical care for unhoused people isn’t going to make parks any less safe. Have empathy for others less fortunate than you and reject this ordinance.
I oppose this ordinance. My husband and I have been serving meals to the unhoused through Billy’s Way Home for about two years. They are always very appreciative of a good meal. With the high cost of living forcing people to the streets, the need for meals and basic medical care is critical. Without this help, provided mostly by volunteers, the unhoused may end up in hospitals or other care facilities, thus costing taxpayers. Please oppose until the city can house ALL unhoused and their pets.
I think that criminalization of helping the most vulnerable members of our community is an immoral act and a dereliction of duty. There is a veil of public interest here but it is abundantly clear that this is borne of contempt for those some in power deem undesirable. I know how much these programs matter because I was one a homeless youth who relied on food given at Phoenix parks. To try and punish those who have nothing for existing is shameful and should not be tolerated.
As the cost of living continues to rise, more individuals/families are being pushed into impossible situations. Grocery prices are climbing, essential benefits like SNAP are being reduced/eliminated, and many of us are forced to choose between keeping our healthcare or having enough money for groceries. It's our duty as a community to care for each other. Food distribution & medical care/services are essential to our livelihood and should not be banned from existing or operating in any capacity
To all voting this Wednesday please look inside your heart and reject this ordinance. I honestly believe society is losing empathy for human suffering because as a society we used to be encouraged to care for the downtrodden and now we are what? Being told to just look the other way because this weekly meal that we serve for them in the park is now going to be a crime if we help them. We should not be worried about getting in trouble if we cook food for and feed the hungry. Do the right thing.
City Parks aren't only for "children and families" they are for EVERYONE and rules should apply to EVERYONE equally. When will City Council act to actually solve the problems our city has, not just print red tape and take credit? The City should be partnering with our residents who are working to fix things instead of printing red tape. We all want solutions to serious issues we share as neighbors but this process doesn't solve a thing, in fact it contributes to these problems.
I found myself homeless I battled with addiction, hunger and isolation For the past five years Billy's way home has consistently showed up with nice hot home cooked meals for me and over 150 other of my family members experiencing homelessness. They shower us with love and acceptance, they demonstrate massive amounts of patience love and devotion, and as a result I now have the strength to face my addiction head on and the courage to turn my pain into purpose. Thanks for listening.
I oppose this ordinance and strongly encourage everyone to please oppose this inhumane thing! Do the right thing and permit food and health care to go to these people with no other resources. Most of us are taught to be generous to those who are less fortunate than we are! Keep with those childhood teachings and stop trying to regulate human kindness. Most people are just 1 paycheck away from being homeless. Let's do what we can for all.
I strongly oppose this ordinance. It should not be a crime to feed people in need. Those who come to have one hot meal a week are disabled veterans, local families that are struggling, individuals and families that are living out of their vehicles, and some with mental health/addiction. Unhoused are deserving of empathy and support and the City of Phoenix should be helping these organizations work on real solutions, not criminalizing their efforts.
NO NEEDLES IN PARKS. I support this ordinance as a fair and equitable option to serve those in need without jeopardizing safety for families wanting to enjoy our parks.
Please oppose this amendment. It is imperative for groups like ours to connect with our unhoused population. We not only feed them fresh home made food, they receive toiletries and clothing. However the most important thing they receive is a sense of community and connection. This is a valuable connection to help them to receive services that gives them the tools to rehabilitate into society. Work done by Brandy Lynn Chard from Billy's Way Home and her volunteers make a difference, thank you.
I strongly oppose this ordinance. Although I can understand the purpose it has been proposed for (e.g. safety), functionally it fails to achieve its goal. This will not solve the problem of unhoused individuals in parks as they already exist there, regardless of outreach stepping forward to provide them food and medical care. Close all parks at 10;00 pm and ENFORCE IT.
This ordinance functionally limits essential medical and nutritional outreach, creating a significant fiscal and social risk. While safety is a valid goal, a two-permit cap per park forces medical care into acute-care settings like ERs. This creates an unnecessary financial burden on taxpayers and strains emergency infrastructure. A more effective approach would support street medicine’s role in reducing hospitalizations. I urge the Council to reconsider this approach.
I urge the Mayor and Phoenix City Council to repeal Ordinance G-7467 and reject the proposed revisions, as they restrict access to basic necessities like food and medical care for our most vulnerable residents, policies that push people further into crisis instead of helping them, and I ask you to choose solutions that uphold dignity and basic human rights.
I strongly oppose this ordinance. Although I can understand the purpose it has been proposed for (e.g. safety), functionally it fails to achieve its goal. This will not solve the problem of unhoused individuals in parks as they already exist there, regardless of outreach stepping forward to provide them food and medical care. This WILL result, however, in increased deaths and hospital burden of critically ill. Both socially and financially our city cannot afford this burden.
The City of Phoenix is framing this park ordinance as a public safety measure, but restricting access to food, medical care, and life-saving harm reduction services does not create safer communities. I strongly oppose this ordinance and call for its full rejection and repeal.
It is very disappoint to see the criminalization of public solidarity. Standing against community mutual aid whilst also not addressing the issues that force people into these precarious conditions is awful, to see time and time again that instead of addressing what causes homelessness, they'd rather push them away once again to hide them from public sight to increase public ratings. Stand with mutual aid, stand against this ordinance!
I strongly oppose this ordinance. Not only has the state eagerly cut so many residents off SNAP but now the city is trying limit the provision of welfare services in public spaces without actually addressing how it would meet these rising needs? This ordinance appears to only be concerned about which class of people would be allowed to use public spaces in order to minimize the presence of our most vulnerable community members. It reads as cruel, antisocial, and inhumane.
I strongly oppose this ordinance. Not only has the state eagerly cut so many residents off SNAP but now the city is trying limit the provision of welfare services in public spaces without actually addressing how it would meet these rising needs? This ordinance appears to only be concerned about which class of people would be allowed to use public spaces in order to minimize the presence of our most vulnerable community members. It reads as cruel, antisocial, and inhumane.
I strongly oppose this ordinance. It does nothing to address the root causes of homelessness and only tries to hide the symptoms. It will only lead to more problems, more costs to taxpayers, and result in lives lost. It is prohibitive and cruel, and does not make our parks safer in any way.
I strongly oppose this ordinance. Providing harm reduction, food, and medical care for unhoused people isn’t going to make parks any less safe. Have empathy for others less fortunate than you and reject this ordinance.
I oppose this ordinance. My husband and I have been serving meals to the unhoused through Billy’s Way Home for about two years. They are always very appreciative of a good meal. With the high cost of living forcing people to the streets, the need for meals and basic medical care is critical. Without this help, provided mostly by volunteers, the unhoused may end up in hospitals or other care facilities, thus costing taxpayers. Please oppose until the city can house ALL unhoused and their pets.
I think that criminalization of helping the most vulnerable members of our community is an immoral act and a dereliction of duty. There is a veil of public interest here but it is abundantly clear that this is borne of contempt for those some in power deem undesirable. I know how much these programs matter because I was one a homeless youth who relied on food given at Phoenix parks. To try and punish those who have nothing for existing is shameful and should not be tolerated.
As the cost of living continues to rise, more individuals/families are being pushed into impossible situations. Grocery prices are climbing, essential benefits like SNAP are being reduced/eliminated, and many of us are forced to choose between keeping our healthcare or having enough money for groceries. It's our duty as a community to care for each other. Food distribution & medical care/services are essential to our livelihood and should not be banned from existing or operating in any capacity
To all voting this Wednesday please look inside your heart and reject this ordinance. I honestly believe society is losing empathy for human suffering because as a society we used to be encouraged to care for the downtrodden and now we are what? Being told to just look the other way because this weekly meal that we serve for them in the park is now going to be a crime if we help them. We should not be worried about getting in trouble if we cook food for and feed the hungry. Do the right thing.
City Parks aren't only for "children and families" they are for EVERYONE and rules should apply to EVERYONE equally. When will City Council act to actually solve the problems our city has, not just print red tape and take credit? The City should be partnering with our residents who are working to fix things instead of printing red tape. We all want solutions to serious issues we share as neighbors but this process doesn't solve a thing, in fact it contributes to these problems.
I found myself homeless I battled with addiction, hunger and isolation For the past five years Billy's way home has consistently showed up with nice hot home cooked meals for me and over 150 other of my family members experiencing homelessness. They shower us with love and acceptance, they demonstrate massive amounts of patience love and devotion, and as a result I now have the strength to face my addiction head on and the courage to turn my pain into purpose. Thanks for listening.
I oppose this ordinance and strongly encourage everyone to please oppose this inhumane thing! Do the right thing and permit food and health care to go to these people with no other resources. Most of us are taught to be generous to those who are less fortunate than we are! Keep with those childhood teachings and stop trying to regulate human kindness. Most people are just 1 paycheck away from being homeless. Let's do what we can for all.
I strongly oppose this ordinance. It should not be a crime to feed people in need. Those who come to have one hot meal a week are disabled veterans, local families that are struggling, individuals and families that are living out of their vehicles, and some with mental health/addiction. Unhoused are deserving of empathy and support and the City of Phoenix should be helping these organizations work on real solutions, not criminalizing their efforts.