PANHANDLING ORDINANCE UP FOR PUBLIC HEARING TONIGHT

A proposed ordinance that would target aggressive panhandling along Escambia County roadways is up for discussion at tonight's county board meeting. The ordinance would ban soliciting or panhandling in roadway medians and would require people to stay a safe distance off the roadway. A similar law has been proposed by the city, but targets the interactions with vehicles rather their where the panhandler is in relation to the road. Under the proposals, people would still be able to stand on the side of the road with a sign. The county's ordinance is up for a public hearing at tonight's county board meeting.