Panhandling Ordinance Approved in Lompoc

The Lompoc city council unanimously approved a panhandling ordinance that will restrict panhandlers to where and how aggressively they can ask for money.

If the ordinance is approved in a second vote in January, panhandlers will not be able to follow or touch you.

They won’t be able to repeatedly ask anyone for money.

They also won’t be able to panhandle within 20 feet of an ATM, within 20 feet of a bus stop after dark, in a parking structure, in a public restroom, or within five feet of an occupied car.

Also as a part of the ordinance, police are also encouraging people to donate to non-profits and shelters instead of giving money to panhandlers at all.

If the ordinance is approved in January, it will go into effect in February.