The Police Department in Mobile, AL is under fire for a now deleted post where officers mock those experiencing homelessness. The officers took panhandling signs stolen from people living on the streets and put them together as a “quilt” for their commanding officer.
"Wanna wish everybody in 4th precinct a Merry Christmas , especially our captain," read the Facebook post from the personal profile of an officer with the Mobile Police Department. "Hope you enjoy our homeless quilt!"
The department issued an apology later today but many are calling it a little too late. Mobile Police Department Chief Lawrence Battiste apologized for the picture saying it was an "insensitive gesture."
"As a police department entrusted with serving and protecting our community, we offer our sincerest apology for the insensitive gesture of a Facebook post by two of our officers where they are holding up a homeless 'quilt,' made of panhandling signs," the statement read. "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 our community service providers to help us help those faced with homelessness with hope to improve their quality of life."
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