Matthew Prensky

Comms. Associate w/ @IJ (Institute for Justice) • Fmr @USATODAY Network • Drone photographer, daytripper, local news fan • Tweets are my own

[The Wall Street Journal @WSJ]

From @WSJopinion: L.A.’s wildfires highlighted one of the government’s counterproductive tendencies: barring qualified people from helping their communities because of irrelevant criminal records, write @matthewprensky and Andrew Ward https://t.co/I952LLCpPW

[Wall Street Journal Opinion @WSJopinion]

L.A.’s wildfires highlighted one of the government’s counterproductive tendencies: barring qualified people from helping their communities because of irrelevant criminal records, write @matthewprensky and Andrew Ward
https://t.co/ewzkCyv5J4

[Andrew Wimer @andrewwimer]

California could use more firefighters, but the state categorically bars people they train as firefighters while they are incarcerated from working many fire jobs once they get out. @WSJopinion from @matthewprensky and Andrew Ward: https://t.co/GWQHkLUEZ6

[Institute for Justice @IJ]

Well-meaning Americans shouldn’t face jail time, excessive fines, or mountains of government red tape and fees for simply trying to help someone in need.

Issues such as homelessness are complex, but criminalizing acts of charity isn’t the solution. Local governments and states should encourage Americans to create private solutions to public problems such as hunger, homelessness, and more. Enabling these private solutions allow for more people to get the help they need while also lessening people’s reliance on the government to solve every big social problem.

Read more from @MatthewPrensky:
https://t.co/xVAe8M81Wh

[Matthew Prensky @matthewprensky]

Americans shouldn't be jailed or fined for trying to help someone in need. These acts of kindness should be encouraged, not criminalized.

So, be careful this holiday season. What you might think is an innocent act of kindness could land you in jail. (4/)

https://t.co/oeOMvRcn2Q

[Matthew Prensky @matthewprensky]

Many Americans choose to celebrate the holidays by helping others in need. But those innocent, well-meaning acts could land you in jail.

Some cities have criminalized acts of kindness. Now, individuals in Dayton, OH & Eugene, OR are learning about this issue the hard way. (1/)

[Institute for Justice @IJ]

As we enter this season of appreciation and compassion, people may unwittingly find themselves in a world of legal trouble for helping others because cities and states across the country have decided to criminalize well-meaning acts of kindness.

Read more from @MatthewPrensky here:
https://t.co/xVAe8M81Wh

[Matthew Prensky @matthewprensky]

A Dayton nonprofit is suing the city after police arrested a volunteer for handing a burrito to a homeless person.

The group's attorney argues the city's permit mandate "... basically extort these groups for money and essentially keep them from doing what they want to do." (3/)

https://t.co/KMjDDTVmI8

[Matthew Prensky @matthewprensky]

Americans shouldn't face jailtime, excessive fines, or mountains of red tape for simply trying to help others.

Issues like homelessness are complex, but criminalizing acts of compassion isn't the solution. Cities should encourage private acts of kindness, not shut them down.

[Matthew Prensky @matthewprensky]

The holidays are a time of giving thanks & lending a helping hand to others.

But as we enter this season of compassion, people should be careful how they help others cause cities across the nation have decided to criminalize acts of kindness. (1/) @IJ

https://t.co/oeOMvRbPdi

[Matthew Prensky @matthewprensky]

Lastly, Kathy Hay wanted to share resources w/ her neighbors in need so she built a small free pantry.

Kathy's local gov ordered her to close the pantry unless she received an exhaustive list of approvals & paid thousands in costs the gov. amassed (4/)

https://t.co/8e2uX9yenp

[Institute for Justice @IJ]

Today the Dept of Justice suspended the DEA's controversial practice of having agents intercept airport travelers, interrogate them and, insist on searching their bags. These encounters are supposed to be consensual.

The suspension comes on the heels of today's Office of the Inspector General report that criticizes the practice + refers to shocking footage of one traveler’s experience, which IJ released in July.

Watch here:
https://t.co/YaY8gFczWr

[Institute for Justice @IJ]

Excellent News!
Today, the Flathead Warming Center won a critical early victory to keep its doors open overnight—when temperatures are forecast to drop into the 20s.

This afternoon, Federal Judge Dana Christensen issued a preliminary injunction allowing the shelter to operate its essential overnight services while the lawsuit challenging the city of Kalispell’s permit revocation continues in court.

The court found that Kalispell’s process was “subjective, nebulous, and thus a meaningless basis for rescinding the” permit.

This decision, which means the shelter can continue to provide lifesaving warmth and safety to the homeless throughout the winter, will remain in effect until a final decision in the lawsuit.

The shelter will open tonight for overnight stays. A team of shelter staff and volunteers are already working to spread word that the Warming Center will be open tonight.

Read more about this case here: https://t.co/7ZolFbfTzD

[Matthew Prensky @matthewprensky]

Law enforcement mistook @oliviarodrigo for another person & nearly threw her in jail because of it.

This story highlights the horrifying nightmare Americans like Jennifer Heath Box & others face thanks to lazy policing.

https://t.co/H41Tc8LWwd

[The Tonight Show @FallonTonight]

.@oliviarodrigo explains the mix-up between her and an “Olivia Rodriguez” that almost landed her in jail on the #GUTSWorldTour 😬 #OliviaOnFallon #FallonTonight

[KMUW @KMUW]

A statewide public opinion survey conducted by the Docking Institute of Public Affairs at Fort Hays State University found support for high-density, mixed-use housing development despite local controversies.
https://t.co/G8efp7ERYt

[Institute for Justice @IJ]

Today, 2 Norfolk-area residents teamed up with IJ to file a federal lawsuit against the city, challenging the constitutionality of its massive vehicle surveillance system, which allows police to monitor the comings and goings of all drivers in the city. https://t.co/W5gPOuskqH

[Matthew Prensky @matthewprensky]

The #Constitution requires officials to create narrow rules & remain neutral when restricting people's #FirstAmendment rights. Here in Westfield & in other places like Honolulu, HI, officials didn't do that.

That's why @IJ is getting involved.

https://t.co/zqg8pjvkoH

[Matthew Prensky @matthewprensky]

Shawn Mullen was running for Town Council in 2021 so he set up a table w/ some political signs in a park.

However, Westfield, NJ police forced Shawn to remove his signs, because Westfield, officials have unlimited power to ban signs on public land. @IJ

https://t.co/egpjejnFdS

[Matthew Prensky @matthewprensky]

What makes Westfield even more concerning is it seems town leaders are only enforcing its sign code against its political opponents, according to a substantial amount of evidence reviewed by @IJ.

If that's true, it represents an egregious violation of the #FirstAmendment.