KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Charitable groups in Kansas City, Missouri, are being asked not to feed the homeless near parks or schools, over concerns that doing so could violate a state law restricting where sex offenders are allowed to be.

The Kansas City Star reports that police discovered a homeless camp in November on the city’s West Side. City spokesman Chris Hernandez says five registered sex offenders were living in a wooded area within 500 feet of a park and 1,000 feet of two elementary schools. State law aimed at protecting children prohibits sex offenders in those areas.

Police found that food was being delivered within the restricted area. State law that addresses the issue of knowingly aiding a sex offender means that those who provide the meals could be cited.