Controversial median ban passes in St. Pete

ST. PETERSBURG -- The City Council approved a measure today banning solicitation in public medians. Under the ordinance, just standing in a median would be banned unless you are crossing the street.

Mayor Rick Baker and Assistant Police Chief Luke Williams urged the council to approve the measure, which will affect charities, panhandlers, political campaigns, newspaper vendors, free speech advocates and others who depend on the medians for business or personal use.

"I'm hopeful that we can keep people from going in the road," Baker said. "To me, it's a safety issue."

But opponents said the measure violates a person's civil rights and vowed to challenge it.

"We are disappointed," said Rick Pauley, vice president of the St. Petersburg Association of Firefighters, which holds annual "Fill the Boot" campaigns for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. "It's going to severely limit our ability to collect donations."

The St. Petersburg Times, which hires hawkers to sell the newspaper in medians, sent representatives to the meeting to oppose the measure. The newspaper's attorney, Tom Reynolds, said the measure violates the First Amendment.

The vote was 7-1. Council member Wengay Newton cast the lone no vote.

Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

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Comments

[Kenneth]

Thank God! This had gotten way out of control in the last couple of months. On any given Saturday afternoon, you can find four bums at the corner of Gandy and 4th - one at each end, with others waiting to take their place. And these questionable charities ("Donate to homeless children!") were getting really pushy - walking in front of cars after the light turned.

Good job city council and Mayor Baker!

[Julie]

Bye Bye bums blowing cigarette smoke into my car as I wait at the stoplights on Tyrone Blvd. & Park Street! Now if you can just find a way to roust them out from under EVERY overpass on the Pinellas Trail, my daily bike ride will look and smell better too!

[Martin]

Why not make it by permit only? That way they can approve each individual case. I happily contribute to the firefighters and occasionally buy a Sunday Times via median vendors. What needs to be limited is the begging and distraction caused by individuals, and the unsafe fundraising by kids for sports teams.

This measure prevents private commercial enterprises like the St. Petersburg Times from enriching themselves by using public lands without a permit or permission.

It also prevents any fool with a bucket from standing at my wife's driver's side window, tapping on the glass, insisting she donate to the charity du jour.

In addition, it removes the homeless from our intersections, if you're well enough to walk out to 22nd Ave N and panhandle, you're well enough to walk to Manpower and pick up a day labor job.

I fully support the city's efforts, and absolutely stand against any effort the Times makes to circumvent my rights as a taxpayer.

[Thom]

This is a major safety issue that's finally being addressed. I would think the firefighters would be behind it. A street corner works just as well for hawking, panning or asking for donations. At least you wouldn't be standing between two lanes of cars speeding in opposite directions. There's already too many distractions on the road.

[David]

Not only does this address the safety issue, it prevents harrassment of drivers by beggars, whether they be bums or claim to be with a charity.

Safety issue my A S S..

"...panhandlers, political campaigns..."

Just in time for Ray’s playoffs focusing national attention the area... and just in time for a political campaign season that is ripe for Republican demise.

Safety issue… you pinheads would buy a bucket of sand while standing in a freaking desert… Safety issue… what a bunch of malleable mooks.

David, and other on this blog of your ilk… I pray one day that those “beggars” (also known as firefighters) don’t have to break down your door and save you miserable trunk from a house fire that started when you fell asleep boning a fattie of some good elitist gange!

[Rebecca]

I doubt safety was the driving force. I am sure it was meant to get rid of bums and other questionable people begging for money, which I agree with whole-heartedly. Martin's suggestion of making it allowable with a permit would allow the newspapers and fire fighters some leeway.

[OJay]

about time. I hated watching kids in the middle of the street with some buckets for basketball, football, cheerleading, you name the sport....

[Fuber]

Thank you city council!!! I must admit tho, I will miss the Beef O' Brady leprechauns.

Now, if St. Pete can only make it illegal for thugs to shoot people on the streets of St. Pete…. Cause, ya know… “it’s a safety thing”

... dopes

[Tramor]

Thank you City Council. Now if we can only get the Council and the Codes Department to enforce/remove illegal snipe and campaign signs in the ROW.

[Tramor]

Anytime you see someone illegally in the median, including the St. Petersburg Times, please take a picture of the person and mail it to the City Council and the Police Department. This ordinance is only enforceable if the Police actually see the person in the median. Make sure your picture includes a good face shot so that trespass warnings may be issued.

[Dr_Dug]

Thank you... Thank you.....Thank you..Finally. Get these bums away from cars before they get hit and try to sue a working man!!

[Pete]

I hate being asked for money any way, anyhow, any day of the week and on any street corner or otherwise. Money is far too hard to come by for this state employee to be giving it away to anybody, charitable organization or beggar or pestering children with buckets trying to fund some sort of sports activity. Let your parents pay for your sports; get a job to pay for your own food; let people buy their newspapers in stores like they used to; and let the charities wait until we have extra money to spend before they go begging it from us day in and day out. You are bleeding us dry.

[a Corporate Risk Manager]

It appears that Wengay Newton is the only City Council member who understands the Constitution of the United State of America.

Unless the Mayor and City Council can support the "safety issue" with actual injuries that have occurred when automobiles have jumped the medium, there is no “safety issue”. It is clearly a civil liberties issue!

Whooo hooooo... let's get rid of the jews and darkies next!

BANG-O-RANG, 2:00!

So I take it that if Tricky Rick spots a violator in the median, he’ll send the Baker Box-cutter Gang out to slash their collection boots!

Lookout Fire Fighters… we’ll teach you to help others!

[kevin]

Safety Issue? NO WAY
To make it safer you allow the use of the median; taking away the median makes for more work from the sides and a less-safe result.
What is your motive?

[Lee]

I am pretty liberal, but see enough homeless on your way home and you'd be happy to see this pass too. I'm not going to pretend to care about our homeless around Tyrone Mall.
I've seen them throw away food given to them, and walk right into a gas station and buy beer---not even across the street to a grocery where it's cheaper and they could also get food.

[TT]

It's about time. It is a distraction for me when I am driving and people are standing in the median soliciting. And with some I can be somewhat fearful, especially when I am driving my motor scooter. There are enough things to watch for already while driving. They can practice their freedom of speech on the side of the road. They have no business being in the road or median unless they are crossing the street and then they should be in the cross walk. Way to go Rick Baker !

[Edward]

Could we PLEASE get something similar enacted in Hillsborough... this nonsense really has gotten out of hand the last year or so.

This is the greatest thing the St. Pete City Council and Mayor Baker have ever done! Thank God for them and they should all be Re-elected without question.

Signed,

The Mayor, The Council Members, and the other staff members directed to post here today at taxpayer expense, in an effort to cover this blatant attempt to hide the homeless from national TV, remove political competitor’s signage, and complete disregard for the Constitution of these United States!

About time.

[sal]

Thank God! It now will cost me less to get home after work!

Thank God!... If we could just get rid of the poor people, jews, darkies, fags, and gooks... everything will be great in St. Pete!

Love,

Self-centered moron bigots

Wow, have to resort to name calling because you have no basis to argue against the new law !!! Aren't you smart.

Wow, have to resort to BS Spin because you have no basis to argue for the latest bast-rdization of our Constitution !!! Aren't you a fascist.

... bloging on our dime...

[Esquire]

What a great time to eliminate jobs for those who are in need.

Although they may be preventing those paperboys from getting sun cancer.

[TED]

Focus Rick ,your city has bigger problems.The biggest being we have a crappy mayor.Do us a favor ricky avoid any appearances on national media.

[Not a Beggar!!!]

At the Interstate and 54th Avenue South I've seen - on many occasions - a nice cadillac unload the 4 beggars and hand out their signs to them for their daily job.

Signs with verbiage such as "Lost Job", "Tough Times" and "Hungry" from these people irrate the cr@p out of me. I like the guy that has the sign "Want Beer.... Why Lie?" At least he's honest.

And while I'm at it.... have you noticed how lazy these people are, many times resting on the median being propped up by the street signs. They won't even get up!!!

I'm glad that the vote was to absolve these beggars. It does not feel safe to stop at a light when someone comes up to your car and just stands there. Hurrah for St. Pete!!!

I like the racial arguments - they make me smile. Especially so since I have yet to see a single minority hawking the St. Pete Times in traffic -usually they're white, middle-aged men.

"...usually they're white, middle-aged men."

That's why Tricky Rick wants to protect them... "It's a safety thing"

[Jason Gullick]

Let's be honest here peeps. Standing in the middle of an intersection of speeding cars is NOT exacty smart. Plus, you median peeps make the old people slow to a halt because they think your crossing the street EVERY TIME..

[Newz A Roo]

Does this mean the homeless addicts picked up by Times delivery trucks are now jobless? ...Great! Sweep the human debris from the streets of Tampa too!

YEA!! Get the riff-raff OFF the streets!! The times solicitors need to also go elsewhere!! It violates MY civil rights to worry about hitting one while pan-handling!!GET RID OF THE BUMS!!!!

[Kim]

34th St & 22nd Ave So.... a man in a wheelchair in the median.........yes that is a safety issue. I think he was tied to a post in the median. I am glad this happened, I am all for donating to charity, but this has gotten WAY out of hand. And I am sure they make more money than I do and I work....

[Carol]

I bet the guys and gals that hate this new ordinance the most are the poor police officers. They don't have the manpower to enforce this thing, and I am sure that everyone will calling these "violations" in on their cell phones. They will just move when the police come out, and return when they leave. Folks, please don't waste the already overworked police officers by reporting these things.

[Sensible]

This is great! Frankly I was so fed up I was going to just bring my own chair, sit down on the 22nd Ave No Exit "median" with my sign that says--
GOT A JOB--PLENTY OF FOOD--DONT NEED ANYTHING--BUT IF YOU WANT TO GIVE ME YOUR MONEY--FEEL FREE. GOD BLESS--HAVE A NICE DAY. PS NOT A VET

[Paul]

Yet another useless law in our beloved St Pete. I want my dammmm taxes lowered, that's what I want. Not some speculative safety issue, with zero supporting facts or studies 'i feel its a safety issue'.. well good for you Ricko Bakerman, then don't stand in a flippin median.

Everytime I see someone with a sign asking for a handout, I am thankful its not me or anyone I know. Where is humanity heading here in St Pete. I mean, they slashed the poor folks tents last year, are working on making homelessness a crime, have no begging zones... inch by inch, this City is becoming an over regulated place. Let people live. You don't like it, then don't give them money. Or, lets examine your lives and see what we don't like about YOU and make that illegal.

What a bunch of self centered moronic jackofffz with these opinions on here.

They can't stand in the MEDIAN! That is where it is UNSAFE!!!

They can still sell, promote, and beg on the sides of the road.

No more huge bundles of newspapers, precariously balanced in the median anymore. No one to accidentally step off the center and into the path of your moving car.

[Dave]

Stupid and selfish this takes away the RIGHT to even talk politices , it takes away another freedom , and it had nothing to do with anyone hurting traffic, or getting hurt , just another attack on individual freedoms , even works against the fire dept, police dept , its just some snippy elective people who complain to gutless officials about panhandlers , so what they beg big deal , so take another of our rights away for some people that do want not to see poverty or realty. just stupid

[Amanda]

Like 6:13 said, they're not stopping the homeless from begging or charities from soliciting drivers. They're making it illegal to do it from the median. Side of the road and street corners are still perfectly legal. As someone said at the meeting this morning, if a car loses control and swerves off the road, where are you going to be more likely to get out of the way safely? On the median, or on the side of the road?
However, I wonder why they couldn't have just restricted WHICH medians could be used for soliciting. Perhaps ones on roads with speedlimits under 40 mph, for example, or only on medians that are at least four feet wide. Something along those lines.

[Edward Ringwald]

I feel this is a desperately needed ordinance St. Petersburg needs. I have seen way too many St. Petersburg Times and Tampa Tribune hawkers out there on Sundays, at times standing dangerously in the road trying to sell newspapers. As someone else mentioned, 4 St N and Gandy Blvd has the worst - not only the newspaper hawkers but people aggressively soliciting donations, selling flowers and other stuff. After all, this is a pedestrian safety issue, not a First Amendment issue.

[David]

Yes it is a safety issue. It's about time. It is so distracting when they beg for money. Can't they see I'm talking on the phone and they're interupting me.

[tim]

First amendment my butt. The Times should have no more right to sell newspapers in the middle of the road than I should have to sell tube socks, mutual funds or smoked mullet. Good for Baker.

[Karl]

The St. Petersburg Times hires independent-you-don't-really-work-for-us hawkers to sell from the middle of the street because their own employee safety insurance wouldn't have anything to do with it.

[jason r]

This is long, long overdue. People hovering about in medians with signs, for whatever purpose, are distracting and put themselves at great risk of being hit. A person loitering in the median for whatever purpose is a definite traffic hazard. Shame on the council for taking so long to address this issue.

[Tonto]

With the pull of one trigger, the shotgun wipes out the villains and heroes, alike. I did a search and can't find a single incident where a firefighters was killed or injured while collecting. What a shame that they won't be able to collect for MDA. They're the biggest supporters of Jerry's kids. The firefighters regularly hand Jerry multiple million dollar checks over the Labor Day weekend telethon. I hope they can find a means to keep collecting by permit.

[matt goldman]

How on earth does restricting soliciting from the median of a thoroughfare impede one's First Amendment right re: free speech? That's more than a stretch, rather like a leap to reach that theory. My understanding is that to save money on insurance/benefits initially, the Times cut positions of their paid sales force, thus many people became independent contractors selling the papers from the medians.

[True Blue]

THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN NEWTON. This is not a safety issue, this is a civil rights issue and you are the only smart one who can see this. Of course many of the idiots on Council are up for election or re-election next year so this is a good issue to feed to the public.

[It's about]

On two occasions I've had cars in front of me come to an abrupt stop to buy a newspaper - both times with a green light! This is dangerous and frankly, a law suit waiting to happen.

The decline of newspaper sales is due to the internet and new media. Hawking a few newspapers in the median on weekends and endangering public safety isn't going to change the fate of the print news media. Time to stop this dangerous practice - well done City Council.

[Truth]

The decline of newspaper sales is due to biased and special interest hack journalism. And this has nothing to do with safety.