Apr 14 2006

Another 9th Circuit Circus Decision

Published by at 4:27 pm under All General Discussions

No wonder CA is a basket case:

Los Angeles’ policy of arresting homeless people for sitting, lying or sleeping on public sidewalks as “an unavoidable consequence of being human and homeless without shelter” violates the constitutional prohibition against cruel and punishment, a federal appeals court ruled today.

One of the judges drops this stunner:

In her ruling, Judge Kim McLane Wardlaw said that Los Angeles’ Skid Row has the highest concentration of homeless individuals in the United States. She said that about 11,000 to 12,000 homeless people live in Skid Row, a 50-block area, bounded by Third, Seventh, Main and Alameda Streets.

Gee, could it be the homeless know where they can go to get away with being homeless?  Wonder why so many flock to CA?

Taken to its logical conclusion, this means it is illegal to arrest a homeless person trespassing anywhere because the crime is the person is homeless, not that they are trespassing. I am sure the homeless will be excited to hear they have the run of private and public property now. Think of all the sheds in CA!

Hat Tip Drudge.

4 responses so far

4 Responses to “Another 9th Circuit Circus Decision”

  1. Terrye says:

    Didn’t they used to call this loitering? The truth is they are going to stop arresting them because it costs too much to take care of them.

  2. 9th Circus: Homeless have the right to sit, lie, and sleep on public sidewalks…

    Via the LA Times:
    Los Angeles’ policy of arresting homeless people for sitting, lying or sleeping on public sidewalks as “an unavoidable consequence of being human and homeless without shelter” violates the constitutional prohibition …

  3. sbd says:

    Considering that a block is about 200 ft and the judge claims a 50 block area, that would be 10,000 ft and equate to more than one homeless person per foot. How does anyone get around this neighborhood without tripping over a homeless person?

    Southern California is the ideal location for the homeless because of the nearly year round good weather. Los Angeles is such a huge place, I find it hard to believe that all of these homeless have just set up camp in this part of the city for no particular reason. There must be something else in these particular neighborhoods that is attracting them like easy access to drugs. Why sleap in dirty downtown when you could set yourself up on beach front property and soft white sand?

    SBD

  4. ACLU and the Homeless…

    Hat tip: AJ Strata and several other readers.
    Los Angeles’ policy of arresting homeless people for sitting, lying or sleeping on public sidewalks as “an unavoidable consequence of being human and homeless without shelter” violates t…