The city of Tempe has dropped a criminal charge it brought against a local activist for feeding unhoused people in a city park without a permit, a surprising about-face after more than a year of ramped-up enforcement that targeted advocates for the homeless.
The activist in question is Ron Tapscott, whom the city charged in January with a violation of its special permits ordinance. The 77-year-old Tapscott had been hosting feedings for unhoused people in city parks under the banner of his organization New Deal Meal.
At a scheduling hearing Monday, Tapscott and others learned that city prosecutor Alan Witt would dismiss the charges without prejudice, meaning they could be refiled at a later date. Witt filed a motion to dismiss the case without prejudice on May 7, writing simply that he was dropping the case “in the interest of justice.” Tempe Municipal Court Judge Kevin Kane approved the motion on Friday…