The city of Orlando on Monday approved changes to its rules governing panhandling within city limits.
- City of Orlando approves new panhandling ordinance
- People don't need to stay within blue boxes while asking for donations
- Going into traffic to ask for money could lead to jail time
"We've had a number of court decisions that put in question the ordinances we had in place and whether they were enforceable or not," Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said following Monday's decision. "And that led to (the Orlando Police Department) not knowing what they could or couldn't do."
The new rules forbid panhandlers from approaching people at ATMs, people seated in outdoor patio areas or people in line for an event. The new ordinance does end the practice of requiring people to stay inside blue boxes painted on sidewalks while asking for donations within the city of Orlando.
Panhandlers can't block parking areas or structures so that vehicles can't enter or exit and they also can't follow people with the intent to harass them into giving them money.
In addition, going into traffic to ask drivers for money can also land a panhandler in jail.
"Panhandling is a free speech, but there are certain things you cannot do," Orlando Police Chief John Mina said. "Such as aggressively panhandle or panhandle from someone who is at a sidewalk café."
Mina said the agency's police officers will work to inform people on what the new rules are and how they can enforce them before they make any arrests.