BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.—We’ve all seen them from time to time, roadside vendors requesting a monetary donation. Often they approach drivers during a traffic stop, seeking cash for their charitable cause.
However, some county leaders say some people are abusing the system and actually keeping the money for themselves.
Berkeley County councilman, Dennis Fish of Goose Creek, says it’s particularly a problem along College Park Road.
“I think it’s becoming a tremendous nuisance,” said Fish.
The county attorney, Nicole Scott Ewing, had been tasked with reviewing every ordinance in effect that regulates solicitation of motor vehicles in other jurisdictions in order to prepare something similar for council to consider.
“Any time you start treading on anybody’s first amendment right to speak, you have to tread carefully,” Ewing warned council. “I recommend that you all do so and not pick one group over another.”
Ewing stated that North Charleston appeared to have the strongest ordinance in place in terms of being deemed constitutionally sound.
After a short debate, council voted to pass first reading of an ordinance that prohibits roadside vending and soliciting activities directed at occupants of motor vehicles.
Councilman Steve Davis was the only member to oppose the ordinance.
“We need to be very, very careful—not only when it comes to the first amendment but we have equal protection laws, too,” said Davis. “A rat is a nuisance, too, but you still can’t kill all of them. We don’t want to create a situation where we subject ourselves to lawsuits.”
In order for the ordinance to take effect, it must pass on third reading.
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Is this going to include the panhandlers who solicit money from vehicles in the parking lots of Walmart, Lowe’s, Target, etc? Seems there is beginning to be a huge problem – no telling how much money these people are pocketing, yet they advertise themselves as jobless with a family to feed…yet refuse food and drinks.
No, Andrea Gaele, it will not cover those folks. However, make sure if you tell a manager at the store that you are visiting. Most of the time, the managers are not aware of them. They CAN get rid of them. Those places are considered ‘private property’ and the manager can call local police and ask that they be sent off the property.