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Panhandlers and Street Vendors pose a danger for drivers and to themselves

By: Sharon Aron Baron

Soon, many drivers will notice something missing from many major intersections in the city: Street vendors and peddlers.

The Coral Springs City Commissioners recently approved an ordinance amending the City Code regarding “Solicitors, Canvassers, Peddlers, and Itinerate Vendors.” The ordinance prohibits anyone from soliciting, requesting donations, or advertising in the medians at intersections determined to be unsafe for these activities.

According to Deputy City Manager Jennifer Bramley, the ordinance, was effective back in December, however, will not be strictly enforced until Monday, January 13.

“We wanted to notify schools, not-for-profits and other groups that commonly solicit on those corners that the ordinance is in place. To that end, the Police Department has been issuing warnings, and will start to enforce the ordinance on Monday.”

Homeless Voice

Mayor Vincent Boccard said that the passing of the ordinance was an accomplishment. “This is a chance to clear the intersections and make the public safe.”

Vice Mayor Larry Vignola, a big proponent of the ordinance said, “It’s unsafe, and it’s a matter of when, not if, before someone gets hurt.”

Police Chief Pustizzi pointed out at a recent Commission meeting, a motorist traveling at 40 miles per hour needs 140 feet to recognize the need to brake, apply the brake, then come to a complete stop. If someone slipped off the median in one of the major intersections, in all likelihood the motorist would be forced to make the unenviable choice of striking the fallen solicitor or swerving into traffic to miss the fallen person thereby causing an accident.

The City Commission, therefore, felt this action was necessary to protect the traveling public as well as those soliciting from the medians. After careful study, the City Commission believes it is in the best interests of the residents, and those who travel through the City, to prohibit right-of-way solicitors and canvassers on certain major streets located within the City at the following intersections:

Intersections

Royal Palm Blvd & University Drive
Atlantic Blvd & University Drive
Riverside Drive & University Drive

Sample Road Intersections

Sample Road & University Drive
Sample Road & 441
Sample Road & Riverside Drive
Sample Road & Coral Springs Drive
Sample Road & Coral Ridge Drive
Sample Road & Rock Island Road
Sample Road & NW 62nd Street

Wiles Road Intersections

Wiles Road & University Drive
Wiles Road & 441
Wiles Road & Riverside Drive
Wiles Road & Coral Springs Drive
Wiles Road & Coral Ridge Drive

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Sharon Aron Baron

Editor of Talk Media and writer for Coral Springs Talk. CST was created in 2012 to provide News, Views, and Entertainment for the residents of Coral Springs and the rest of South Florida.

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Street Vendor and Panhandler Ban Soon to be Enforced

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