Hopkinsville City Council passed the first reading of an ordinance Tuesday night establishing pedestrian and safety guidelines that address panhandling on heavily traveled roadways within the city.
Mayor Carter Hendricks says the pedestrian and traffic safety is the priority of this ordinance but also addresses panhandling.
The ordinance would affect roadways, which carry the most traffic within the city and would include portions of the following streets:
3200-4200 Canton Pike
1400-3100 Canton Street
100-800 Country Club Lane
2500-3500 Cox Mill Road
100-1000 East 7th Street
100-1800 East 9th Street
200-400 East 21st Street
2100-4900 Fort Campbell Boulevard
100-1500 Glass Avenue
3000-4200 Lafayette Road
100-500 McLean Avenue
100-800 North Drive
100-1600 North Main Street
900-1200 Skyline Drive
100-2400 South Main Street
100-2900 South Virginia Street
900-2300 Walnut Street
100-1100 West 7th Street
100-700 West 9th Street
100-300 West 14th Street
Hendricks says he has also received some comments that some of the areas do not have an issue with panhandling but it’s a preventive measure on those streets.
Any person violating any provisions of the ordinance will be charged with a misdemeanor and/or violation through the Christian County District Court. A first offense will result in fines up to $100, second offense up to $200, and other offenses up to $300.
The ordinance passed by a 9-1 vote with Jason Bell casting the lone nay vote. Councilmen Terry Parker and Don Ahart were absent from the meeting.
The second reading of the ordinance will be at the next city council meeting on November 5th.
During recognitions, Mayor Hendricks honored Wayne E. Parthun, who he says a well-known advocate for the Holiday Park area and the city.
City Council also recognized seven Trash for Cash groups, who collected 5,220 pounds of trash over 46 miles for a total of $3,450.
The Hopkinsville Committee of the Whole will meet Thursday night at 6:00 at the Municipal Center Council Chamber.
