A federal judge on Monday rejected the city’s ban on feeding poor or homeless people in city parks.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman had argued that handouts discourage homeless people from seeking help from social service providers set up to handle mental health and substance abuse problems.

Neighbors had complained of large numbers of homeless people congregating at downtown parks, drawn by groups providing meals.

But U.S. District Court Judge Robert Jones issued an injunction prohibiting enforcement of the ordinance, passed in July, and told lawyers for the city and the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada that he intends to issue an order killing the measure. No date was set for final action.

Las Vegas officials vowed to rewrite the law so it would pass constitutional muster.