The St. Augustine City Commission passed an ordinance that will crack down on panhandling in the Ancient City.
The vote was 4-0.
The new law replaces the city’s previous ordinance, which St. Augustine police stopped enforcing last year after a judge ruled that a similar law in Tampa was an infringement on the First Amendment.
Police say there have been an increase in “aggressive panhandling” complaints.
Leaders called panhandling in St. Augustine a “crisis” last year, creating a safety issue and possibly impacting tourism.
Under the new ordinance, panhandling is not allowed within 20 feet of an ATM or a city parking meter.
For schools, it’s 100 feet.