Well-to-do Frankfurt fines homeless people for sleeping rough
Germany’s financial centre issues on-the-spot penalty
In the shadows of Frankfurt’s skyscrapers, a growing number of destitute people sleeping on the streets has prompted the German banking capital to come up with a novel solution: fine them on the spot.
The move was confirmed on the same day that German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier called for better support for the nation’s homeless, Deutsche Welle (DW) reports.
The decision by Frankfurt City Council has caused bewilderment and anger among some of their constituents, says local newspaper Frankfurter Rundschau. But Christoph Schmitt, a member of the center-right Christian Democrats, argues that there are many homeless shelters across the city, while the Green Party’s Beatrix Baumann says these services are “often unused”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“Neither politician touched on the issues of mental illness or threats of violence that can keep the homeless from sleeping in shelters,” DW says.
Councilor Astrid Buchheim told the news service that the fine is about €40 (£35) and that those who can’t pay must deal with Frankfurt’s regulatory authority. Officials says the homeless are fined only if they refuse “multiple requests to move” from public areas.
Germany isn’t the only country demanding money from those sleeping rough. Homeless people who keep possessions in doorways in Oxford have been warned they face fines of up to £2,500, the BBC reported in July.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
What would it be like in jail for Trump if he's convicted?
Today's Big Question The Secret Service has begun grappling with how to protect a former president behind bars
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
How much can you save shopping secondhand?
The Explainer Many Americans are buying pre-owned items to counteract the effects of inflation
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Downtown St. Louis is in a real estate 'doom loop'
Under the Radar The city is ripe with abandoned buildings and vacant lots, with its real estate market in dire straits
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Penile fracture risk higher over Christmas
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Gaza hospital blast: What the video evidence shows about who's to blame
Speed Read Nobody wants to take responsibility for the deadly explosion in the courtyard of Gaza's al-Ahli Hospital. Roll the tape.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Confused man's front lawn is stolen
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Giraffe poo seized after woman wanted to use it to make a necklace
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Helicopter sound arouses crocodiles
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Woman sues Disney over 'injurious wedgie'
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Emotional support alligator turned away from baseball stadium
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published