VIRGINIA BEACH
The concrete median dividing traffic lanes on Newtown Road has been a prime fundraising spot this summer for football teams, youth groups and the homeless.
It won't be anymore.
The City Council passed an ordinance Tuesday prohibiting people from occupying roadway medians. The new rule is a result of complaints filed by concerned drivers, city spokeswoman Barbara Morrison said.
"Citizens were just concerned that somebody was going to get hit, whether it be somebody running out to do the fundraising or a driver being hurt because they've swerved to keep from hitting somebody," she said. "So it was truly a public safety concern."
Several complaints centered on Newtown Road and Great Neck Road, Morrison said. She said she didn't know how many complaints were filed.
The rule also prohibits drivers from parking on medians, except during mechanical breakdowns or emergencies. The code includes exceptions for pedestrians crossing the street, city employees and their vehicles, and utility workers and their vehicles.
The ordinance is not aimed at any specific group, Morrison said.
"Any activity going on in the median poses a threat to the public safety," she said. "It's just happening more and more."
The regulation is immediately enforceable, said Officer Margie Long, a police spokeswoman. Violations are a Class II misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of as much as $1,500.
Kathy Adams, (757) 222-5155, kathy.adams@pilotonline.com
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Chesapeake on the Ball
Think that it may be against the law in Chesapeake. I saw a bunch of panhandlers at the intersection between Greenbrier Mall & Crossways going in & out of traffic, but then when I made the return trip, it looked like a police officer had them all gathered in the parking lot, had seized their buckets, and was writing them tickets. Although we do still see the firefighters pass the boot. I appreciate their efforts, but think they can find a better and safer way to do it. And the previous comment was right...MANY national & local news agencies have done stories on panhandlers & found that most of them won't work if you offer them a job (even w/transportation included), and do have nice cars & homes somewhere nearby, and are just panhandling because they want easy money. Give to organizations where you know where the money is going to help real homeless people, like Union Mission in Norfolk.
Just curious but....
...does "The code includes exceptions for pedestrians crossing the street, city employees and their vehicles, and utility workers and their vehicles." include firefighters when they are out campaigning for their charity "Pass the Boot"?
How about the sign carrying teens with the car-wash fundraisers?
...just curious.
Get your facts right
Firefighters and other legal non-profit organizations will have permits in place for their activities, and will follow the laws of the city in any activities they do. You can bet on that.
Not so sure about that...
I have seen MULTIPLE times, the fire fighters from that station on the corner of Volvo and Eden Way jaywalking, instead of crossing at the light, walking over to the Rite Aid. On one occasions I had children in the car who asked why the firemen were in the middle of the street.
What about FD
Will this ban include Firemen holding their boots in the median for donations? If the panhandler are banned from it then the Firemen need to be as well
I'll say it again
Laws that exist need to be ENFORCED. Loitering. Panhandling. Public Endangerment. A policeman can "detain" you while indefinitely doing a field investigation. They might even come up with an arrest. VB's finest are the best trained in the area. Some officers have post graduate work.
"The prestige of government has undoubtedly been lowered considerably by the Prohibition law. For nothing is more destructive of respect for the government and the law of the land than passing laws which cannot be enforced. It is an open secret that the dangerous increase of crime in this country is closely connected with this." Albert Einstein
Making NEW laws is not the answer. The first step is actually enforcing the ones now.
I'll believe it when I see it
I'll be waiting and watching to see how many cars get ticketed for parking in the median on Dam Neck Road during the next sellout concert at the amphitheater.
Newtown Road and VB Boulevard are not affected by this
I hate to be a stickler for detail, but the intersection of Newtown Road and Virginia Beach Boulevard is in the City of Norfolk. Virginia Beach's ordinance, though welcome to those of us who live in Virginia Beach, will not affect these kids and panhandlers who knock on our windows when we are obliged to pass through the Newtown/Virginia Beach Boulevard intersection.
I've come close to an accident on more than one occasion by these unwelcome solicitors who run in and out of traffic.
Norfolk, please join Virginia Beach in banning this dangerous and distasteful activity.
Good Decision
I agree with Laura -- I am tired of being panhandled. Good decision, VB!
Good Job City Council
Always politically correct. They call it "Beach bans soliciting". It was really begging for money and sometimes border-line robbery of persons who can't say no.
Con artist
A short true story---A few years back when the police noticed the same four people on Lynhaven Road day after day pleading for a job with a bucket in their hand, they were questioned. It was found out that these people had their car parked a block away which was valued at $24,000 dollars. It was further learned that they were staying at a nice hotel at the beach. They admitted that they were making over $200.00 a day each performing this con job. They agreed to leave town to pursue this Con in another city.
The best thing...
that this city council has done since the election. Thanks!
Great! Norfolk next,
Great!
Norfolk next, please....
FINALLY!
Every time we would see some bogus "charity" group begging for dollars at some intersection - especially Newtown Rd and Virginia Beach Blvd - we would wonder why nobody was questioning the legality of this panhandling that also put people in harms way. A true charity offers receipts for tax purposes. Ask one of these people for a receipt and they will look at you like you've grown a third eye. As for the "homeless" guys, try and offer them a job; they won't take the offer because they make more money - tax free - than they would at a real job. Anyone giving any of these people money is the epitome of the old daw "a fool and his money are soon parted".
Excellent!
It's about time! Glad the City Council finally has done something worthy of news.
this is a
most needed law. tired of being panhandled.
interesting
Now we just need to get legislature out there to ban those dancing statue of liberties during tax season. Their sole intent is to distract drivers. How is that not dangerous?
Interesting
I thought their sole intent was to entice customers into the business.
Do you feel the same about cheerleaders, CPO's and other donation groups that dance and wave signs for a weekend car wash?
Of course
Of course those things should be banned. If the city is going to crack down on driving distractions such as texting, AND crack down on people asking for money on the side of the street, it only makes sense that they would crack down on Charities and Businesses that wave people down, distracting them from driving long enough to give them a little bit of money too.
It's really a somewhat moot point though, as I am pretty sure businesses using that tactic actually ARE breaking Virginia Beach Business Standards as it is; however it seems the city is selective as to who they confront. I have personally seen city officials confront Play N Trade employees who stand on the street spinning their sign around.
I am proud of you guys!
Great law. Thank you.
These panhandlers were getting a little out of hand, prowling up and down the dividers, looking for a bailout.
What really burnt me up, the newest crop looked to be under 30, and in better health than most of the people I see on the street. If they can stand there five or six hours a day, there must be some kind of honest work that most of them can find, if they put in the effort.