7 Arrested For Feeding Homeless; Tampa Police Respond

TAMPA, FL — Seven people face misdemeanor charges after Tampa Police say they refused to stop feeding homeless people in Gaslight Park Saturday afternoon.

The problem wasn’t that they were feeding the homeless, rather police say about 30 to 40 people from the group Tampa Food Not Bombs did so without city approval or proper permitting to hold such an event.

“Tampa Police supports efforts to feed the homeless,” the agency noted in a clarification issued about the arrests late Sunday night. “TPD homeless liaisons work closely with the homeless and with area agencies and groups that provide resources to the homeless.”

According to the police department, the incident that led to the Jan. 7 arrests began to unfold around 4 p.m. at the 410 N. Franklin St. park. Officers, the agency wrote in an email, spoke with group members and explained that city ordinance prohibits food distribution to the “general public without a permit or written permission from parks and recreation department.”

Without either requirement met, officers told group members they had to move along.

“The officers attempted to give them other alternatives to distribute food somewhere other than a city park, since they did not acquire a permit,” the agency’s email said. “Despite these attempts at conversation the group continued to set up tables. Police gave multiple verbal warnings over a three-minute time span explaining that they were being trespassed and that they would be arrested if they did not stop distributing food.”

Seven people, the agency said, didn’t listen to the warnings “and ignored police.”

After a final warning was given, the arrests were made. All seven were given notices to appear in court with an additional trespass warning from Gaslight Park, the agency said. Those arrested were not taken to jail. They were:

• Bert Donaldson, 38
• Dezeray Rubinchik, 38
• Jason Grimes, 26
• James Dunson, 32
• William Payton, 46
• Roger Butterfield, 26
• Christopher Mince, 30

A video of the incident was posted to Facebook.

Tampa Food Not Bombs also took to Facebook on Monday to ask supporters to reach out to the City of Tampa requesting “that they immediately cease enforcement of (city ordinance) 16-43 against Tampa Food Not Bombs as it does not apply to our circumstance.”

The group has announced a Tuesday breakfast for homeless people at Gaslight Park starting at 8 a.m.

Image via Shutterstock