ESCAMBIA ORDINANCE AIMS TO KEEP PANHANDLERS OUT OF MEDIANS AND ROADS

Escambia County is moving towards a new law that could reduce panhandling in busy intersections. The law is essentially a re-write of existing laws that leaders believed would face constitutional challenges. It would make it illegal to impede traffic by standing in a median and be punishable by a maximum fine of up to $500 dollars or up to 60 days of jail time. District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh says the board of commissioners plans to schedule a public hearing on the ordinance for December.