Miami Seeks Changes In Treatment Of Homeless People
MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) — Miami officials have asked a federal judge to allow changes to a 1998 settlement governing the treatment of homeless people.
When the settlement was approved there were several thousand homeless people living on Miami streets. City officials now say there are about 800 chronically homeless. Still, downtown businesses, arts and sports facilities and residents say the presence of so many homeless is bad for business and tourism.
One of the proposed changes would permit Miami police to arrest homeless people if they refuse to take a bed in a shelter. It would also allow shelters to substitute floor mats when there aren't enough beds.
The city also seeks modification of the settlements rules on littering, fires and temporary structures in parks, public nudity and others.
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