A judge in Ohio found a pastor guilty of criminal charges for operating his church as a shelter for homeless people without proper fire code compliance. The pastor could face fines and jail time, sparking debate about balancing public safety with aiding those in need during extreme weather conditions.
A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect for all of Ohio through midday Wednesday. Wind chills as cold as -20 possible.A judge in a northwest Ohio city found a pastor guilty on criminal charges Tuesday for failing to comply with the city's fire code after he opened his church and let homeless people and others stay inside overnight to escape the winter chill.
Bryan Municipal Court Judge Kent North's decision is another step in a legal battle that began in late 2023 between the church and the city of Bryan over the legality of the church operating as a temporary shelter for homeless people and others in the area. The temperature in Bryan was in the single digits Tuesday as the Northern Plains up to the tip of Maine endure dangerously cold temperatures.
Last year, police filed 18 criminal charges against the pastor over allegations the rented church building next to a separate homeless shelter along Main Street in Bryan was violating the zoning ordinance, lacked proper kitchen and laundry facilities, and had unsafe exits and inadequate ventilation.
HOMELESSNESS RELIGION PUBLIC SAFETY FIRE CODE WEATHER
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