Thursday, August 15, 2024–11:30 a.m.
-David Crowder, WRGA News-
Unlike the City of Rome, Floyd County currently has no ordinance in place regarding panhandling and urban camping, but that could soon change.
Floyd County Public Safety Division Director John Blalock told the county’s public safety committee on Thursday that following recent discussions regarding the homelessness issue in the city, the county was asked to look at putting some ordinances into place. Those ordinances, which pretty much mimic what the city has, have been drafted and are currently undergoing legal review.
Blalock noted that it is not in itself illegal for a person to ask another for money. However, you can put restrictions in place, and that’s what the proposed ordinance does.
“It prohibits asking for donations of money, valuables, or contributions on private property without the permission of the owner,” he said. It also prohibits asking for money within 30 feet of an ATM or bank, or while under the influence.
Panhandling would also be prohibited within 10 feet of the entrance or exit of a building and 30 feet of an outdoor dining area. Soliciting the driver or passenger of a motor vehicle would also be barred.
On public property, you are allowed to ask for money as long as it doesn’t fit the definition of “aggressive panhandling.”
“Which includes physical contact with the person after being told ‘no,’” Blalock added. It also includes placing a person in fear of harm or a criminal act, blocking their passage, using violent, threatening language to a person who is eating in an outdoor dining area, while part of a group of person, or at night.”
The urban camping ordinance prohibits camping in public areas unless it is a designated campground or other area authorized by the county, and you can’t do it if it interferes with the ingress or egress of buildings, private property, or other public areas.
“That ordinance does require the police to warn and give an opportunity to cease before they take any enforcement action,” Blalock said. “A citation or arrest can only occur if a warning does not result in prompt compliance. It does allow for the confiscation of materials that are obviously being stored for camping in a location that is in violation of the ordinance.”
The public safety committee took no action Thursday since the ordinances are being reviewed by attorneys.