Alabama Police Takes A Picture With “Homeless Quilt,” Department Apologizes

Written by @lessh

The Mobile Police Department in Alabama apologized after two of its officers posed for a photo next to a “homeless quilt” made from cardboard panhandling signs, calling it an insensitive gesture.

The photo was captioned “Wanna wish everybody in 4th precinct a Merry Christmas, especially our captain. Hope you enjoy our homeless quilt! Sincerely, Panhandler patrol.”

In the image, the two officers are holding up cardboard boxes taped together with short messages written on them. One message reads,” Trying To Make It Anything Helps God Bless You.” Another says: “Hungry and Homeless.”

Mobile Police Chief Lawrence Battiste, stated on his Facebook post, “Although we do not condone panhandling and must enforce the city ordinances that limit panhandling, it is never our intent or desire as a police department to make light of those who find themselves in a homeless state.”

Rather, our position has always been to partner with community service providers to help those faced with homelessness with hope to improve their quality of life.”