CHARLOTTE LOOKS TO END STREET SOLICITATION

CHARLOTTE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ON TUESDAY BEGAN WORK ON AN ORDINANCE THAT WOULD PROHIBIT SOLICITATION ON ALL PUBLIC ROADS.  THE MEASURE WAS BORN OF COMPLAINTS BY RESIDENTS OF OUT-OF-TOWN PANHANDLERS WHO TRICK MOTORISTS INTO BELIEVING THEIR DONATIONS ARE HELPING AREA VETERANS WHEN IN FACT THEY’RE SHIPPING THE MONEY OUT OF TOWN AND POCKETING SOME OF THE PROFITS.  THE COUNTY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE IS WORKING ON THE LANGUAGE OF THE MEASURE WHICH WILL LIKELY MIRROR THE ONE IN SARASOTA COUNTY.  COMMISSIONERS SAY THEY CAN’T SINGLE OUT CERTAIN GROUPS, ALTHOUGH THEY KNOW OF TWO THAT ARE DOING BUSINESS ON THE ROADS OF THE COUNTY…THE DISABLED VETERANS FOUNDATION AND THE VETERANS SUPPORT ORGANIZATION.  LOCAL VETERANS WERE IN ATTENDANCE TUESDAY IN SUPPORT OF THE ORDINANCE.