Don't Ticket A Homeless Man For Searching For Food

  • by: Judy Molland
  • recipient: Charles A. McClelland, Jr., Houston Chief of Police

Earlier this month, James Kelly, a 44-year-old homeless vet, was so hungry that he was driven to digging into the trash to find his next meal in Houston, Texas.

He made the mistake of doing this in a trash bin near Houston City Hall. For that, he received a citation from a Houston police officer that charged him with "disturbing the contents of a garbage can in (the) downtown district."

Dear Chief McClelland.


In early March, James Kelly, a 44-year-old homeless veteran, was so hungry that he was driven to search in a trash can for his next meal. Obviously he was desperate.


However, instead of a meal, or some help, he received a citation from a Houston police officer for "disturbing the contents of a trash can in (the) downtown district."


Homeless people need compassion, not tickets. Please withdraw this citation from James Kelly, who was simply trying to survive.


Thank you for your time.

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