Proposed Plan Would Limit Orlando Homeless Feedings

POSTED: 1:46 pm EDT June 19, 2006

UPDATED: 2:20 pm EDT June 20, 2006

The Orlando City Council discussed a controversial plan to limit who can feed the homeless and how often, according to a Local 6 News report.

Each week, several groups travel to Lake Eola in Orlando to provide food for the homeless. However, the feeding sessions have some local businesses and residents concerned that they can lead to a spike in crime.

City Commissioner Patty Sheehan proposed the bill.

Sheehan said the issue has become one-sided against her and she simply has the interest of all parties at heart, Local 6 reporter Chris Trenkmann said.

"City Commissioner Patty Sheehan has become known as the commissioner for the dogs because she helped pass a state law allowing dogs to eat at restaurants outdoors," Local 6 reporter Chris Trenkmann said. "But, now she is being criticized for not allowing the homeless to eat."

"I mean I just really feel like I have not been treated very fairly on this," Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan said. "I want to help people, but proper place, proper time. And if we are willing to provide a location and this group doesn't want to use it because it is not pretty enough -- huh."

Sheehan has proposed moving the feedings to Lake Eola to Silvia Street. But, businesses in the area are not happy about the idea, Trenkmann said.

A group of supporters for the homeless gathered in downtown Orlando Monday who say they have a right to have the feedings at Lake Eola.

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