Sarasota County Commissioners gave a green light to an emergency ordinance today to make sure laws limiting panhandling and other activities in public roadways can stand up to a constitutional challenge. The new ordinance bars individuals from stepping into a road to “distribute any item to, receive any item from, or exchange any item with the occupant of any motorized vehicle.” The changes coming after a judge ruled against the city of Sarasota’s solicitation ordinance, which had been used to roust panhandlers from public streets and sidewalks. That ordinance restricted people from holding signs or soliciting assistance, which was found to be a violation of free speech. The attorney’s in that case had started asking questions about the County ordinance.
