Community Corner

From the Media: Pasco County Gives Tentative Approval to Panhandling Ban

Commissioners to hold public hearing before final vote July 26, the Tampa Tribune reports.

Pasco County commissioners are one step closer to passing a proposed ordinance banning panhandling on roadways and at intersections six days a week, the Tampa Tribune reports.

Pasco County commissioners gave the ban preliminary approval after making an exemption for Sundays, writes Tampa Tribune reporter Laura Kinsler. The decision was a “concession to local newspapers,” Kinsler writes. Kinsler reports that 100 of the Tribune’s sellers would be put out of work if the ban was in effect on Sundays.

The commission has scheduled a public hearing for the ordinance  on July 26 at the  West Pasco Government Center before giving it a final vote.

Find out what's happening in New Port Richeywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Read the Tribune’s story here.

Panhandling has become a hot topic in Tampa Bay and Pasco County. In May, New Port Richey passed an ordinance banning aggressive panhandling. The city ordinance makes it a crime for anyone -- including salespeople and those soliciting charitable donations -- from begging for money on the street with "threatening, intimidating, or harassing behavior," and from continuing to harangue people after getting a "negative response to an initial demand."

Find out what's happening in New Port Richeywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

As Patch freelance reporter John Haughey put it: “The short-hand interpretation: Ask once nice -- don't ask twice.”

Read the Patch story on New Port Richey’s ban .


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here