Following a yearlong battle with the city of Tempe, groups that offer food and shelter to the homeless are now required to have a special-event permit for groups over 30.
Following over four hours of public comment, the council voted unanimously to approve the ordinance, requiring a permit and a fee of $25, or punishment of being fined up to $1,500 with possible civil or criminal violations if a group does not comply.
In July 2024, the founder and CEO of AZ Hugs Austin Davis was arrested for trespassing in Tempe parks after receiving multiple warnings and citations from December 2023 to May 2024. Davis was first cited for not having a special-event permit after serving food to the unhoused population of Moeur Park, a 10-acre plot with grass, ramadas and picnic tables north of Loop 202 and Tempe Town Lake.
