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Henrico Panhandling Ordinance challenged in court

Posted at 8:06 PM, Nov 02, 2012
and last updated 2012-11-02 20:06:32-04

HENRICO, Va. (WTVR) – Recently the county of Henrico passed an ordinance that banned people from sitting or standing in road medians in order to “panhandle.” However, one man is filing a lawsuit against the ordinance.

Robert Reynolds of Henrico, filed the lawsuit Wednesday. Reynolds says that he uses money collected from sitting in median strips to pay rent and buy food.

He claims that the new ordinance violates the 1st and 14th amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Those amendments protect free speech and the pursuit of life, liberty and property without due process of law.

Henrico’s Board of Supervisors passed the ban after police complained panhandlers were a public safety concern and a distraction for drivers.