12 Oct 3rd-Oct 9th, 2024 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | Questions? Feedback? Email me at [email protected] • Follow me on RATING (out of 5 McFly’s) IS THE NIGHTSHADE THE NEW STANDARD? 2024 TOYOTA COROLLA HATCHBACK NIGHTSHADE 2024 TOYOTA COROLLA HATCHBACK NIGHTSHADE Get ready to turn Get ready to turn heads with the 2024 heads with the 2024 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Toyota Corolla Hatchback Nightshade! This compact Nightshade! This compact beauty combines style and beauty combines style and attitude, featuring a bold attitude, featuring a bold blacked-out grille, dark blacked-out grille, dark wheels, and striking color wheels, and striking color options that make it stand options that make it stand out in any crowd. out in any crowd. 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BY TJ L’HEUREUX A fter hauling homeless advo- cate Austin Davis into court and into jail during a months-long standoff over feeding unhoused people in city parks, Tempe and Davis reached a plea deal in September. The city had targeted Davis after he’d been unwilling to stop feeding unhoused people without obtaining a special events permit, for which he had applied but was denied. When he kept hosting his feed- ings anyway, he was charged with a viola- tion of Tempe’s special permits ordinance. With the court case pending, the city also arrested Davis for trespassing in city parks, forcing volunteers to continue the feedings without him. The drawn-out confrontation left a growing group of resi- dents and volunteers questioning whether Tempe officials truly wanted to help the homeless or simply wanted to make them disappear. Davis accepted the deal on Sept. 11, according to a press release from AZ Hugs, the organization he founded that hosts the feedings. The city will drop 34 pending charges against Davis, who will plead guilty to one count of hosting an event without an event permit. He’ll receive a year of unsupervised probation, during which he will be unable to enter any park in Tempe, much less host events in them. Davis also is banned from “acting as an officer of AZ Hugs in hosting any events” in Tempe parks, according to the organization’s press release. And Tempe will fine Davis $1,148 if he fails to complete his probation. In a written statement provided to Phoenix New Times, the city said the plea deal was the result of weeks of meetings between its officials and Davis. “Compassionate giving is a quality that the City of Tempe values. As a commu- nity, we don’t want anyone to miss a meal or spend a night on the streets,” the state- ment read. “This case has never been about charitable giving or providing food to the homeless.” What happens to AZ Hugs’ feedings is uncertain. “We’re figuring it out,” Davis told Phoenix New Times. “It’s kind of uncharted territory. It’s weird that serving the homeless is illegal.” But Davis was heartened that the feedings had continued without him, with residents picking up his slack. Those dozens of volunteers, including former Tempe Councilmember and state Senate candidate Lauren Kuby, have kept his “Sunday Picnics” going while Davis stays outside of park boundaries. Other neighbors have dropped off water, ice, pizza and other food. On Sept. 8, Davis said, they also brought clothes, dog food, baby powder and plenty of other necessi- ties to the picnic. “One positive thing that’s come out of all this is we’ve rallied together a coalition of groups, people, folks in the community who want to continue supporting the homeless. So the community — not asso- ciated with AZ Hugs — has continued to feed the homeless,” Davis said. “I’m really thankful and grateful for the community keeping that going.” As part of the agreement with Tempe prosecutors, Austin Davis pleaded guilty to one count of violating the city’s special events code. (Photo by TJ L’Heureux) >> p 14 | NEWS |
