August 13, 2008
Panhandling from Roadway Banned in Henrico….Will it Matter?
Recently, in the Near West End, I’ve noticed that it is commonplace to find a homeless person or vagrant at one of several busy intersections asking for money. Specifically, I’ve repeatedly seen them asking for money from the median strip at Patterson and Horsepen roads, at Glenside and West Broad and also at Glenside and Staples Mill roads.
Now, that practice is illegal. The Times-Dispatch reports:
Last night, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a change in county ordinance that prohibits people from standing in highways and soliciting contributions, distributing handbills, or selling merchandise to drivers or passengers in vehicles.
A violation would be considered a traffic infraction, punishable by a fine of up to $250.
The new ordinance also will keep people from selling items from the median strip or the side of the road and from passing out fliers.
I wonder, will all the homeless and vagrant people move to the city? If so, will Richmond make a similar law? Will the new Henrico law have an effect on panhandlers anyway? How would a $250 traffic violation effect a homeless or vagrant person? How many of these would one have to get before they throw them in the slammer? Is homeless people in jail something that our community wants? What do you think?
Traffic infractions aren’t punishable by incarceration unless the law made it a misdemeanor. Don’t understand the logic of making it a traffic infraction if the people panhandling aren’t worried about their driving records. And homeless people getting locked up for minor crimes has long been a practice of the homeless. Check the jail’s population once it gets colder. Caveat- I’m a traffic defense atty.
The way I read that, it sez that the law “prohibits people from standing IN highways” etc. etc.
I doubt that they are actually standing in the road way.
And how do you define “highway” anyway? Acorrding to my Garmin, the roads mentioned here “aren’t”.
I think the way this law is written, it is not an effective tool. They need to re-do it.
TvNB
tvnewsbadge - the RTD article states that “the ordinance defines ‘highway’ as the entire width of a road or street used for vehicular traffic and the shoulder, the median and the area between the travel lane and the back of the curb.”
It probably will push the homeless into the city… they already are quite effective in keeping them out or moving in my neck of the woods (Chesterfield).
oops
Drove by Glenside and Staples Mill yesterday on the way to Lakeside Farmers Market. Man was banging on windows asking for $money. I guess they are not enforcing it yet? or it is a weak law and he doesn’t care.
don’t you know it is a “first ammendent violation” according the thr RTD’s “esteemed” MPW.
Personally it offends my right not not be solicited by people every and anywhere I go.