Law enforcement cracking down on panhandling in Onslow County - WCTI12.com

JACKSONVILLE, Onslow County — Onslow County is putting a stop to panhandling. County Commissioners approved an ordinance that will prevent people from asking for money near businesses and on public streets and highways.

Sheriff Hans Miller said after multiple reports of people in medians who were going up to drivers in traffic, it was important to have an ordinance like this to prevent accidents.

Owner of Furniture Plus on Marine Boulevard, Greg Popkin, said over the years people asking for money in the area has gotten worse.

“We’d have customers come into the store and they’d go back outside, they’d be hassled about getting money from them,” he said.

Popkin didn’t want that to be a distraction from people coming through the doors of his store.

“People don’t want that, and we don’t like it either,” said Popkin.

Miller said it’s things like this that prompted a panhandling ordinance for the county, to protect businesses and people in traffic.

“The primary concern was safety, safety not only of the person that does those things but also the drivers to make sure they are not distracted,” he said.

Miller said the ordinance also prevents people from being within 50 feet of places like churches, schools, and ATM machines, something Popkin is happy about.

“I think it's a really good thing for our customers, them not being hassled in the parking lots and I think it’s going to be great for Onslow County,” said Popkin.

Miller said enforcement will start with a warning first but that people could even face fines up to $500 and jail time.

source: https://wcti12.com/news/local/law-enforcement-cracking-down-on-panhandling-in-onslow-county

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