The Omaha City Council approved the median ordinance, which would prevent panhandlers from standing on the median on a high-traffic roads in the city.
The ordinance applies to medians within 200 feet of high traffic intersections with posted speed limits of 30 mph for higher. The city will post a sign explaining the ordinance on each intersection where public works deems a need.
The city council voted 6-1 on the measure.
"This will be enforced in a reasonable fashion for those that may be in the median," said Councilman Pete Festerson.
The ordiance will be enforced by warnings or citations, but the penalties could increase if violators continue to occupy the medians.
"If they continue to refuse to follow the law, we'll then we have to you can't excuse people from our laws based upon their economics, this isn't a tool where we are looking at officers to go around arresting people," said Councilwoman Aimee Melton.
"The ordinance addresses public safety and the risk to everyone who uses our city streets," mayor Jean Stothert said. "The Public Works Department already evaluates all intersections for safety and publishes a list each year of the most dangerous intersections. We will use this list to determine which locations meet the criteria established by the ordinance."
Councilman Festersen says he is in support of the median ordinance because it is just limited to certain dangerous intersections.
— Nick Starling (@NickStarlingTV) October 24, 2017
Councilman Harding wants this ordinance to be more wide-reaching but is in support of this 'first'step' for public safety. @3NewsNowOmaha
— Nick Starling (@NickStarlingTV) October 24, 2017
Councilwoman Melton is also in support or ord. for public safety, says the neutral support from ACLU is a telling sign. @3NewsNowOmaha
— Nick Starling (@NickStarlingTV) October 24, 2017
Councilman Jerram, was on the fence about a week ago-didn't want to restrict 1st amendment, but the narrowness of this ord. he'll support.
— Nick Starling (@NickStarlingTV) October 24, 2017
Councilman Palermo says the panhandlers will find other intersections to go to, doesn't solve the bigger problem of poverty. @3NewsNowOmaha
— Nick Starling (@NickStarlingTV) October 24, 2017
