This kind of legislation works. I've seen it first hand, in action, and it works. I experienced the support environment for the homeless population in Orlando before the laws, and I experienced the same environment after. There is a difference, and it is beneficial. I saw it, I heard about it, I experienced it, and I witnessed others follow the same path. So I know exactly what I'm advocating. But don't take my word for it, read the article and listen to people who live this every day and are also advocates.
Second, you've developed one heck of a straw man. I don't know where people think this law says you "can't feed/help the homeless". It never says that. It makes it illegal to reward destructive behavior patterns. If you want to help or feed the homeless you may do so! Just donate a couple dollars to your local shelter, or spend a night doling out mac n' cheese. Of course, now you can no longer do these things on your own terms, but then again this isn't about you (as in the royal "you"). This is about helping the people that get no help otherwise.
We're trying to encourage the use of the existing community solutions here, not ban them. This "ad-hoc" method of random gift giving that you seem to approve of is actively harmful to both the community and those it aims to help.
And actually (insert meme here), this removes state action from the equation, believe it or not. Police everywhere spend ridiculous amounts of time dealing with unscrupulous panhandlers, jerks who want to mess with the homeless, etc. etc. Now this law is probably just as unenforceable as "don't feed homeless people poison on purpose", but hopefully it creates a culture shift where people are pre-disposed towards more beneficial methods of activism, and the police don't have to worry about ne'er do wells messing with defenseless people, or people taking advantage of other's generosity. Nobody is throwing money at the state, nobody is getting a "fix". In fact, this places more burden upon people to take it upon themselves to support their local organizations, and places a heavier burden on those organizations (because now they have more people to feed! which is an excellent problem to have, because now we have people seeking real help, instead of just trying to make it through the day!).
I appreciate your gracious hints, but I highly recommend you see the problem for yourself instead of relying on knee jerk reactions and the top google result.
Second, you've developed one heck of a straw man. I don't know where people think this law says you "can't feed/help the homeless". It never says that. It makes it illegal to reward destructive behavior patterns. If you want to help or feed the homeless you may do so! Just donate a couple dollars to your local shelter, or spend a night doling out mac n' cheese. Of course, now you can no longer do these things on your own terms, but then again this isn't about you (as in the royal "you"). This is about helping the people that get no help otherwise.
We're trying to encourage the use of the existing community solutions here, not ban them. This "ad-hoc" method of random gift giving that you seem to approve of is actively harmful to both the community and those it aims to help.
And actually (insert meme here), this removes state action from the equation, believe it or not. Police everywhere spend ridiculous amounts of time dealing with unscrupulous panhandlers, jerks who want to mess with the homeless, etc. etc. Now this law is probably just as unenforceable as "don't feed homeless people poison on purpose", but hopefully it creates a culture shift where people are pre-disposed towards more beneficial methods of activism, and the police don't have to worry about ne'er do wells messing with defenseless people, or people taking advantage of other's generosity. Nobody is throwing money at the state, nobody is getting a "fix". In fact, this places more burden upon people to take it upon themselves to support their local organizations, and places a heavier burden on those organizations (because now they have more people to feed! which is an excellent problem to have, because now we have people seeking real help, instead of just trying to make it through the day!).
I appreciate your gracious hints, but I highly recommend you see the problem for yourself instead of relying on knee jerk reactions and the top google result.