Alabama bill would make homelessness an 'arrestable offense'

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

ALABAMA (WHNT) — A bill aimed at making it easier to arrest anyone without a place to call home is one step closer to becoming a reality.

HB24, sponsored by Rep. Reed Ingram, R-Montgomery, would make two or more arrests for loitering a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by spending up to 30 days in jail and up to a $500 fine.


Law enforcement would still be required to offer a ride to the person or ask them to peacefully leave the premises before arresting anyone, according to the bill.

On Tuesday, May 16, the Alabama Senate approved the legislation unanimously in a 33-0 vote.

Those opposing the bill said it targets vulnerable groups, with AL.com citing Lily Milwit, an attorney with the National Homelessness Law Center.

“We can’t, as a society, in the way that we make policy, pit the public safety of some people against the public safety of other people,” Milwit said.

https://whnt.com/news/alabama-news/alabama-bill-would-make-homelessness-an-arrestable-offense/

[RegulatedCapitalistD]

1. The cruelty is the point

[no_hypocrisy]

2. This "crime" used to be called vagrancy.

Hobos who traveled across the country, those who lost their homes b/c of The Depression, etc. used to get thrown in jail for this.

[hippywife]

4. The crime of vagrancy/loitering...

was created specifically to imprison Black people, especially men, as an excuse to arrest them in order to commit them to the peonage system.

[elleng]

3. Alabama, sounds about right.

In its majestic equality, the law forbids rich and poor alike to sleep under bridges, beg in the streets and steal loaves of bread. Anatole France.

[MiHale]

5. Let's just outlaw compassion and empathy...

Makes it easier, knocks out the little details.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

8. Of course. Because they are "christian". . . . nt

[DBoon]

11. That is what the "anti-woke" movement does

[Vinca]

6. The people signing this bill will be in the front pew on Sunday. Disgusting.

[Glorfindel]

7. I wonder...does nobody in Alabama remember this O. Henry story?

They really should read it before passing such a law.

https://americanenglish.state.gov/files/ae/resource_files/the-cop-and-the-anthem.pdf

[HAB911]

9. If they are incarcerated, then they have a home

would it not be better to cut out the middleman and provide some help and housing? DUH

[Chainfire]

10. Fresh from the bible belt; how to beat a man when he is down.

[sarcasmo]

12. Social Security ends, homelessness begins, arrested for being homeless. Cruel on purpose.

[CanonRay]

13. Are there no work houses?

Ebenezer Scrooge

[marybourg]

14. I 've lived too long.

Every day I'm reading stories about history repeating itself. Battles that were fought in the 1950's, '60,s, 70's, are having to be fought again! Truly this is not conservativism we are facing. This is radical reactionism.

[moondust]

15. More free prison labor?

New approach to slavery?