JAIL ISN'T THE ANSWER

Incarcerating Homeless May Produce Unintended Results

There are better ways for cities to handle homeless people who are
mentally ill or substance abusers who commit nuisance crimes than to
lock them up in jail.

The Florida Legislature passed an ill-considered bill that mandates
six months in jail or a residential facility for anyone convicted of
five misdemeanors in a 12-month period. Gov. Bush should veto the
bill. It is a shortsighted solution to a complex problem.

The bill targets homeless people. According to state Rep. Dan Gelber,
Florida's homeless commit most of the repeat misdemeanor crimes, such
as panhandling or urinating in public areas. The majority of offenders
have substance-abuse problems or a mental illness. They need treatment
to break the cycle of crime and homelessness. But there aren't enough
treatment beds available. The shortage renders the bill's treatment
option useless. The homeless will end up in jail, where they won't get
the help they need.

The bill forces municipalities to spend scarce law-enforcement
resources arresting, prosecuting and jailing the homeless. Jails will
become overcrowded, increasing the likelihood that more dangerous
offenders who are awaiting trial might be released on bond. Their
incarceration isn't mandated by state law. This unintended consequence
would put communities at greater peril.

Homelessness is a vexing problem, but the Legislature's hard-hearted
approach isn't the solution.