COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Miranda Atnip lost her home during the coronavirus pandemic after her boyfriend moved out and she fell behind on bills. Living in a car, the 34-year-old worries every day about getting money for food, finding somewhere to shower, and saving up enough money for an apartment where her three children can live with her again.
Highlights
- Tennessee is about to become the first U.S.
- state to make it a felony to camp on local public property such as parks.
- Atnip, who is homeless and lives in his car, accepts money from a driver as he panhandles on May 10, 2022, in Cookeville, Tenn.
- Tennessee is the only one to make camping a felony.
- The Herald-Citizen reported last year that complaints about panhandlers nearly doubled between 2019 and 2020, from 157 to 300.
- The law requires that violators receive at least 24 hours notice before an arrest, Sen.