"Aggressive" panhandlers could find themselves in jail in a new ordinance that passed Seminole County's commission Tuesday.
The ordinance was unanimously passed after months of consideration.
Lonnie Griffin spends a lot of time at an I-4 exit ramp at State Road 46 just outside of Sanford, an area where panhandlers are often seen with signs that ask drivers for help. Griffin said he has not been able to find a job since he was released from prison.
“I don’t have family so I was released to the streets. Fifty dollars and an outfit is all they give you and that doesn’t last that long,” said Griffin.
The new law won’t stop panhandlers like Griffin from passively asking for money by holding up a sign near intersections. It’s designed to prevent panhandlers from confronting and approaching people.
The countywide ordinance bans blocking sidewalks or roadways to ask for money, approaching people in private facilities without permission, at bus or trains stops, in parks or sports facilities, near ATMs and other places.
According to the ordinance, panhandlers also can't use curse words, get verbally abusive or use threatening gestures.
“I don’t really ask, I just hold up a sign. If somebody wants to give to me, they can give to me, if they don’t, they can drive by,” said Griffin.
Along with prohibiting aggressive panhandling, the new law also makes it illegal to ask for money within 1,000 feet of a school bus stop when children are there.
County commissioners emphasized that groups collecting donations in buckets will still be allowed to do so, as long as they aren’t being aggressive and stepping into the way of traffic.
The ordinance also only affects unincorporated areas of the county, not within any of the cities.
People found violating the ban could face a fine of up to $500 and/or up to 60 days in jail.
The new panhandling law will go into effect within a couple of weeks.