Panhandling at stop signs

I was held up yesterday at TWO intersections, by the same group. The driver in front not only handed over some cash, but proceeded to have a very lengthly conversation with the "panhandler". I was late for work because of it.

There is enough congestion on 30A without adding this to it !

Call the Sheriff's office. 267-2000

I did this to a group from Pensacola recently and 45 minutes later their butts were gone. I have no problem supporting local charities and do to the detriment of my bank account and free time, but if your child chose to get on a paid softball team, cheer leading squad, etc. then get out of our intersections and get a job. To me it's the absolute height of teaching your kids the wrong thing.

One year they did it at Grayton and were from Pensacola. One woman actually stated they came over here because they heard there were people with money. They weren't even staying here. Although if your parents can rent a house in Grayton over a major holiday weekend then you probably shouldn't be panhandling.

I agree with SWGB..the absolute worst thing a parent can do! I would not dare sign my kids up for an activity that I couldnt afford to pay for. Panhandling is not the same as "fundraising" and they should be told to make the kids "get a job" instead of "begging on the street corner".

p.s.. I wonder how their neighbors would think about it if word and pics got out of them "begging"? And how do we know if their kid is even doing whatever they say they want the money for? The people that give them $$ could just be off- setting the cost of the vacation the parents cant afford.

I expect the Sheriff's office might have some issues with the traffic jams. You'd hope, anyway. The last one I got caught in created a colossal jamup at 395-30A.

It's happening almost every Saturday morning

The firefighter's boot fundraiser never bothered me, but now every week there is an organization out there.

The real problem with them standing in the road is safety, not only for them, but for the drivers. The four-way stop doesn't work so well when people are held up because they are chatting or digging out money to donate. Someone is going to be seriously hurt.

They wouldn't be there if people didn't donate, so one way to get them to leave is not to donate.

Unless they are uniformed firefighters, I am calling the Sheriff.

If everyone does so, the problem will quickly be solved.

Unless they are uniformed firefighters, I am calling the Sheriff.

If everyone does so, the problem will quickly be solved.

That's why I posted in the first place. Well, that and to verify that I wasn't the only one receiving smug, self-righteous looks from the groups begging on the road.

The real problem with them standing in the road is safety, not only for them, but for the drivers. The four-way stop doesn't work so well when people are held up because they are chatting or digging out money to donate. Someone is going to be seriously hurt.

They wouldn't be there if people didn't donate, so one way to get them to leave is not to donate.

The truly scary part is these people stand on the center line and wear an orange vest as though that will keep them safe against a 2,000 pound vehicle, it's nerve wracking as all hail.

:bicycle: I wear a Helmet and a Vest

OK - so we have the start of the Memorial Day weekend and the summer/tourist season and at the busiest intersection on 30A, we have another group seeking donations! Who from our county is the rocket scientist that approved this???

OK - so we have the start of the Memorial Day weekend and the summer/tourist season and at the busiest intersection on 30A, we have another group seeking donations! Who from our county is the rocket scientist that approved this???

If its not the firefighters, call the police and they will remove them...

If it's on a county road, they must have a permit and must have it with them. They are not allowed to block traffic. Attached are the standards that the county commissioners approved last week for panhandling/solicitations, which was said to be just putting the county's ongoing policy in written form.View attachment DocumentView.pdf

Today a well-known charity had their buckets out at two of the 30-A intersections we crossed. They quite clearly had volunteers standing in the middle of the road, not on the side.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't that Walton County permit say they must stand on the side of the road (right-of-way), not in it, unless a donation is being offered from a vehicle?

BTW, we had no issue with the particular charity - it's just the idea of folks distracting drivers by standing in the middle of the road on 30-A at busy intersections. Playing in traffic is never a good idea, especially when we have vacationers in town who may already be distracted by the scenic beauty of 30-A...

I went through there and in my opinion, they were not impedeing traffic, and they were in the middle of the road. Those folks who do impede traffic, bicycles on 30A and folks who hesitate to make a move at a designated crosswalk

Bicycles are a whole other issue that needs to be addressed by our elected officials but these kind volunteers from HFH (Which I have worked with) are having a fundraiser at the wrong time. Regardless of their position, just by nature they were slowing traffic down on a major tourist weekend. Certainly I can't be the only person cranky about this?

Since this was brought up, here's the Florida State law on bicycle use http://www.dot.state.fl.us/safety/ped_bike/laws/ped_bike_bikeLaws1.shtm
The use of bicycles on roadways is covered in detail

I'm going to side with Justhavinfun. I not only oppose of groups standing in the middle of 30A distracting locals who know where they're going but tourists who are rubbing necking up and down 30A. This is especially a busy weekend and not only do I think it could be dangerous but what kind of presence does this set for visitors. I'm sure most of them gave at the office on Friday.

I think it is a really bad idea anytime for any group. I will not donate in traffic...there are much better ways to get contributions for worthy causes...ways that do not entail endangering anyone...to do it during a summer holiday on 30A is beyond inappropriate IMO.

I'm with Glenda on this one. There are too many distractions already on 30a. I think it is dangerous. T(he firefighters are the only group I trust to not make some stupid move. (one group of kids one time even had a dog with them - the dog was out in the street with the kids)
Beach Bimmer, it says "right of way" not side of the road. It seems to me that "right of way" includes the entire road as well as the side of the road that is a part of the county right of way. I think you would need to ask the county attorney to be sure. If they meant "side of the road" they probably should have been more specific.

How many softball national championships could there possibly be?

They use the same permit for the bucket drives/fund raisers as for other roadway activities by nonprofits such as parades and races, which are actually in the road. That must be the reason they just say "right-of-way."

I'm just shocked that anybody has the stones to stand out there - what are they, Evel Knievel or sumpm? Some of them are just plain reckless, though well-meaning. There's been a couple times where only my exceedingly marvelous driving skills has prevented catastrophe. I love charity, but sometimes people just overdo it and it becomes a shakedown. In this case, a safety-risking shakedown.

I would rather give to the panhandlers than give to these groups, at least with the panhandlers I know exactly who gets the money.

And the liquor store owners appreciate it.