On homelessness in Crestview

It has been identified and well-documented that Crestview faces a challenge with regard to its homeless population. Many are concerned for the welfare of these individuals; others fear they may have a negative impact on the Crestview area’s future business growth.

Townhalls have been held, and citizens have been afforded the opportunity to voice concerns. However, to date, Crestview’s City Council has yet to take any substantive course action meant to address the current situation.

It would seem that the easiest course of action would be to adopt an ordinance banning the practice of panhandling altogether. Last year, nearby Pensacola attempted to do just this. 

Within days, the ACLU took action threatening the city with a long and costly lawsuit. The result: Pensacola’s city council quickly reversed their decision. In recent years, the ACLU has been able to establish the legal precedent such that total panhandling bans are deemed unconstitutional – a violation of First Amendment Rights.

Given the high probability of a successful lawsuit, a total ban on panhandling is not a realistic course of action for Crestview. There are, however, other solutions to the problem at hand. The council could adopt an ordinance banning the practice of aggressive panhandling. Often, this entails banning panhandling within 30 to 100 of ATMs and financial institutions. Panhandling while occupying medians, intersections, or at the entrances of businesses is also off-limits.

Individuals may ask for a handout, but repeated requests, following, and violent gestures and language are also prohibited. Another option the council could explore is implementing an ordinance that addresses the issue under the umbrella of charitable solicitation.

I see merit in the council establishing a Citizen’s Task Force to Address Homelessness. Much like the recent Charter Review Committee, our city’s elected officials should appoint individuals to a temporary committee tasked with developing a series of policy and procedure recommendations for the council to review.

Immediately coming to mind, such a task force could research the requirements and available sources of funding for the establishment of a homeless shelter. Perhaps such a task force could even develop draft ordinances that the city council and city attorney could review and further develop.

The point is: solutions exist. I appreciate the officials who have hosted townhalls discussing homelessness within the City of Crestview. But, it is time to take action. Townhalls yielding only complaint or more conversation are nothing more than public shows.

Additionally, with election season creeping up on us, names for our consideration are already being floated. As voters, demand that these individuals seeking office take their rhetoric beyond simply appealing to our conservatism.

We cherish our Constitutional rights, but representing a municipality requires more policy knowledge than the ability to assert one’s self as the protector of second amendment rights. Let’s keep discussing the issue but focus our conversation and effort towards taking action that moves Crestview forward.

Josh Molyneux is a Crestview resident and public administration professional.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: On homelessness in Crestview