New Law Targets Panhandlers in Sarasota

An ordinance aimed at getting panhandlers off Sarasota streets has been passed by the city commission, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports.

On Tuesday, the commission voted to adopt an ordinance that would keep solicitors from approaching motorists on street corners, whether they're asking for money or handing out leaflets. The law is set up to keep both driver and solicitor safe.

According to the Herald-Tribune: "The new ordinance prohibits transactions — like panhandling — between pedestrians and people in cars, because it is a safety issue."

The ordinance is designed to withstand court challenges, since Sarasota's previous law to ban panhandling was challenged by the ACLU.

The Herald-Tribune is reporting that, anecdotally, there seems to be a dropoff in the number of panhandlers in the city.

Sarasota's city attorney said the ordinance is similar to St. Petersburg's law, which has withstood a legal challenge.

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