JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville city council is looking to crack down on panhandling. A new bill would make it illegal to stand in a median or to physically interact with a person in a car while it’s on a roadway.
Panhandlers on medians are becoming a common sight in Jacksonville and the public is taking notice.
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“I kind of feel like it’s an everyday thing, and they need to wake them up to get a job,” said Duval resident Johnathan Cotton.
An Action News Jax investigation last month revealed panhandling complaints were up 10% compared to 2021.
Councilman Al Ferraro (R-District 2) said not only are the incidents becoming more common, but panhandlers are also becoming more aggressive.
“They’re reaching into people’s cars; they’re pulling on door handles. It’s dangerous for the drivers who are out here,” said Ferraro.
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A new bill Ferraro is sponsoring aims to put panhandlers on notice. It would make it illegal to stand on a median unless you’re crossing the road.
It also prohibits physical interaction with occupants of a vehicle if it’s on a traveled portion of a roadway and not legally parked.
“You can still get up, you can still hold a sign, you can still do your First Amendment rights. Those are not being touched,” said Ferraro.
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For a first offense, law enforcement would issue an educational notice.
A second offense would result in an official warning.
Only after a third offense could law enforcement issue a $100 civil citation.
A fourth offense could lead to an arrest, with a maximum of 10 days in jail if convicted.
“We want to give them the chance to know that this is illegal. It’s not supposed to be happening. But ultimately, what we’re trying to do is protect our citizens out here,” said Ferraro.
The bill was slated to come up in a committee hearing Tuesday, but it was deferred as councilmembers work with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and human rights groups to hammer out the final details.
Ferraro expects the bill to see some amendments in its next hearing two weeks from now.
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