Nonprofit founder due in court after defying Tempe by holding events for homeless

By Casey Torres

Click here for updates on this story

    TEMPE, Arizona (KPHO) — Austin Davis, the founder of the nonprofit AZ Hugs that helps people experiencing homelessness, is due in court in February after defying the city of Tempe.

Arizona’s Family previously reported that Davis was told by the city that he couldn’t host his “Sunday Family Picnics” in city parks without a special event permit. He would host the picnics every weekend at Moeur Park, but since the city notified him of the permit requirement, he began hosting the events in different parks, including Papago Park, to avoid getting fined.

Davis said he applied for a permit in December. “The most vulnerable in our population shouldn’t have extra hurdles to jump over to meet their, just simple daily needs,” said Davis.

Arizona’s Family was at one of the picnics at Papago Park this month when park rangers and police showed up. Davis said officers wrote a report. He said it’s happened a couple of times.

This week, he learned he is due in court next month for a criminal arraignment. A spokesperson for Tempe told Arizona’s Family that Davis will be receiving a citation.

Last week, the city announced it had denied Davis’ request for a permit. In a written announcement, the city said AZ Hugs can’t apply for a permit for a year.

It also explained that AZ Hugs continued to violate City Code 5-2 by holding unpermitted food events even after receiving numerous written and verbal notifications about the permit requirement. The announcement also stated that the city is reviewing an application from another organization hoping to host charitable food events. The city said that the organization has stopped its events while it waits for approval.

The city also said nearby residents have raised safety and health concerns about the ‘unsanctioned’ events at a Tempe City Council meeting.

The founder of Clean Up Papago, Kelli Cholieu, sent Arizona’s Family this statement.

Throughout 2023-24, our dedicated team at Clean Up Papago has confronted a disturbing and dangerous increase in litter and drug paraphernalia within the Papago Park area. Our efforts led to the collection of over 300 uncapped, used syringes, 50 of which were alarmingly found in the play sand of Papago Park – a place where our children play. Additionally, we have removed over 1,000 pieces of tinfoil with drug residue and a staggering 6,000 pounds of trash, including human feces within just a square quarter-mile of the Papago Park and Preserve located at 1000 N College Ave, Tempe, AZ 85288

It is our belief that organizations like AZ Hugs and Shot in the Dark, though they may have compassionate intentions, inadvertently contribute to these issues. Their unsanctioned feeding events attract over 150 homeless individuals and drug addicts, significantly impacting the preservation of our natural spaces. These gatherings not only lead to an increase in trash and hazardous materials but also hinder the ability of tax-paying, law-abiding citizens to enjoy common areas such as ramadas and parks. More critically, they pose a substantial safety and public health hazard, particularly to women and children.

Our organization respects and acknowledges the importance of assisting those in need. However, it is equally crucial to consider the broader implications of such charitable activities, especially when they occur without the necessary permits and oversight. The unchecked accumulation of waste and the presence of drug-related items significantly detract from the safety and enjoyment of our public spaces.

We urge those organizing such events to work collaboratively with city authorities to find solutions that uphold the safety, health, and enjoyment of all community members. We believe in the power of collective action and the importance of respecting our shared spaces while assisting those in need.

Kelli Cholieu, Clean Up Papago

“Our neighbors experiencing homelessness help us to pick up the trash and dispose of it properly. I would love to discount that,” said Davis. Davis said he still plans to help the homeless community but is figuring out a different way to do so. He does ask that people who live in the area put together care bags and hand them out to someone who needs help.

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.