‘No loitering’
Signs requested at intersections to help discourage soliciting
, Staff Writer
10-30-2009
They’re back.
According to Pulaski County Sheriff Jim Davis solicitors are once again approaching motorists in several county intersections attempting to collect donations for various causes.
As a result, the sheriff is asking for “no loitering” signs to be placed at two Pulaski County intersections to discourage solicitors. Signs are being requested for the Route 114 and Route 11 intersection in Fairlawn and the Route 100 and Alexander Road intersection in Dublin.
For several years citizens have complained about solicitors blocking traffic and posing hazards by approaching vehicles stopped at traffic lights at several major intersections in the county.
In an Oct. 14 letter to Pulaski County Board of Supervisors, the sheriff indicates the solicitors “normally leave” when officers advise them of the law. However, he added, “I would feel much safer in dealing with them if we had the two signs posted as requested.”
According to state law, pedestrians are prohibited from loitering “on any bridge or in any portion of the right-of-way of any highway where loitering has been determined by the Commonwealth Transportation Board or the local governing body … to present a public safety hazard and on which (either body) has posted signs prohibiting such action.”
Davis said loitering is “a significant danger to both foot and vehicle traffic.” In a 2007 interview he said the solicitors pose a distraction to motorists. Plus, he noted that motorists complained of feeling intimidated by some solicitors in the area at that time.
“There are some people with good causes who do it, so it’ll eliminate all of it if we put (the signs) up,” said Massie District Supervisor Frank Conner. He indicated he hates to see worthy charities be affected, but “it is dangerous. Sometimes they just run right up to the cars.”
Virginia Department of Transportation Resident Engineer David Clarke said the supervisors also need to realize that it will be the county’s responsibility to install and maintain the signs once VDOT grants approval for them.
Clarke was asked to send the county information on the steps required to adopt a “no loitering” policy for road rights-of-way. One step requires the county to define “loitering.”
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