FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - Despite being charged with violating a new law by feeding the homeless in South Florida, 90-year-old Arnold Abbott said he's not deterred and even went back out to serve more food at a public park.
The faceoff in Fort Lauderdale over the ordinance restricting public feeding of the homeless has pitted those with compassionate aims against residents and businesses trying to protect their neighborhoods.
Abbott, affectionately known as "Chef Arnold," and two South Florida ministers were charged last weekend as they handed out food. They were accused of breaking the ordinance and each faces up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
"One of the police officers said, "Drop that plate right now,' as if I were carrying a weapon," Abbott said.
But on Wednesday night, Abbott and others served a four-course meal by the beach as police filmed from a distance and a crowd of nearly 100 mostly homeless and volunteers cheered their arrival.
"God bless you, Arnold!" some shouted. Others carried signs in support of Abbott.
Abbott, a World War II veteran and civil rights activist, told the Associated Press he has been serving the homeless for more than two decades in honor of his late wife. He has several programs, including a culinary school to train the homeless and help find them jobs in local kitchens.
With tears in her eyes, Rosemarie Servoky broke through the crowd Wednesday night to hug Abbott. Servoky, 68 and a graduate of Arnold's culinary program, said he saved her life.
"I was a crack addict. I was in a homeless shelter," said Servoky, who contacted the mayor to complain about the new law.
Several police officers watched and allowed Abbott's crew to feed everyone before issuing Abbott another citation. Pastor Dwayne Black, who was also handing out food, said he was not given one.
"The officer who wrote the citation said, "We'll always let you feed here, but you'll get a citation no matter what,'" said the pastor. He said that may signal an opening for dialogue with the city.
Fort Lauderdale is the latest U.S. city to pass restrictions on feeding homeless people in public places. Advocates for the homeless say the cities are fighting to control increasing homeless populations but that simply passing ordinances doesn't work because they don't address the root causes.
In the past two years, more than 30 cities have tried to introduce laws similar to Fort Lauderdale's, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless. The efforts come as more veterans face homelessness and after two harsh winters drove homeless people south, especially to Florida.
Mayor Jack Seiler said he thinks Abbott and pastors Black and Mark Sims have good intentions, but the city can't discriminate in enforcing the law. He said it was passed to ensure that public places are open to everyone. He also stressed that the city was working with local charities to help serve the homeless through indoor feedings and programs that get them medical care and long-term help.
"The parks have just been overrun and were inaccessible to locals and businesses," Seiler said.
Black criticized the city for pushing the proposed ordinance to the back of the agenda last week. Many supporters left by the time it came up for discussion, long after midnight. Black said he knew there was a good chance he would be arrested Wednesday night, but he wanted to be there to "reopen the discussion on this ordinance."
Police said the men were not taken into custody and were given notices to appear in court, where the matter will be decided by a judge.
Abbott fought a similar ordinance in court 15 years ago and said he's prepared to mount another legal challenge.
Fort Lauderdale's ordinance took effect Friday, and the city passed a slew of laws addressing homelessness in recent months. They ban people from leaving their belongings unattended, outlaw panhandling at medians and strengthen defecation and urination laws, according to Michael Stoops, director of community organizing for the National Coalition for the Homeless.