CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The Clarksville City Council will vote Thursday night on an amendment to the city’s code that applies to panhandling laws.
Currently, the city code prohibits the sale of merchandise from vehicles in certain circumstances and prohibits obstruction of public rights-of-way generally.
The amendments were proposed by Councilwoman Deanna McLaughlin and councilman Richard Garrett. If their proposal is approved, the following would be prohibited:
Occupying any portion of the public right-of-way, including any public street, road, highway, interstate, exit, roundabout, median, alley or sidewalk, whether federal state or local, within the City, for the purpose of:
(1) Storing or exhibiting any goods, merchandise or other materials.
(2) Selling, or attempting to sell, any goods, merchandise or other materials, or any services.
Individuals would also be prohibited from accepting a donation of money or any other item from the occupant of any vehicle while the vehicle is located in or on a public street, road, highway, interstate, exit, roundabout, or alley being used by, or open to use by, vehicular traffic.
Those in vehicles would be prohibited from engaging in similar activities with those standing in public rights-of-way.
The proposed amendment says it would not prohibit the sale, delivery, transfer, or distribution of newspapers, magazines, periodicals, handbills, flyers, papers or similar materials unless a right-of-way was obstructed in the process.
The code would also not apply to emergency workers, construction workers, private property, government employees or contractors, licencees, franchisees, lessees, or permittees.
The vote will be decided Thursday evening during the City Council meeting.