Lenoir County Commissioners pass Begging and Solicitation Ordinance

In the last meeting for February, the Lenoir County Commissioners approved a Begging and Solicitation Ordinance for Lenoir County.

“The reason that the ordinance came up is that I was concerned about the safety of the people that were panhandling, particularly at the busy intersections like Skinners,” said County Commissioner J. Mac Daughety.

The purpose of the ordinance is to ensure the safety of pedestrian and vehicular traffic flow, to maintain, promote and protect the well-being of the public, and to foster a harassment-free climate in public places.

“Citizens complained about folks standing in intersections, particularly at the intersection of Highway 11 and 55,” said County Commissioner Chair Linda Rouse Sutton. “We looked at what other counties had and went from there.”

The penalty for violating the Begging and Solicitation Ordinance is a misdemeanor as provided in the General Statute 14-4 and if convicted, a fine of up to $500 per occurrence, imprisonment, or both.

“There are tremendous resources available to address their needs,” said Daughety. “As most small businesses would tell you, if they wanted a job, they’d have a job. Small business can’t find enough employees as it is.”

The City of Kinston already has a Soliciting from rights-of-way ordinance which states, “No person shall stand or loiter in the main traveled portion, including the shoulders, and median, of any state highway or street, excluding sidewalks, or stop any motor vehicle to solicit employment, business or contributions from the driver or occupant of any motor vehicle that impedes the normal movement of traffic on the public highways or streets.”

The penalty for violating the city’s ordinance is a criminal misdemeanor and up to a $500 fine or imprisonment for no more than 30 days.

The County Commissioners passed the Begging and Solicitation Ordinance for Lenoir County unanimously.