Associated Press Published

Martinsburg Council Debating on Panhandling Ordinance

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The Martinsburg City Council is discussing the possibility of adopting a panhandling ordinance.

The Journal reports that legal counsel to the city council Kin Sayre presented a suggestions for an ordinance to the Martinsburg City Council on Thursday after county councilman Dan Dulyea approached him about coming up with solutions for panhandling.

The suggested ordinance includes definitions of panhandling, times panhandling would be permitted, places where panhandling would be permitted, manner of panhandling and false or misleading solicitation.

Ward 4 councilman Mark Baker raised concerns about the ordinance, saying former city leaders have tried and failed to create panhandling ordinances in the past.

Sayre has been tasked with working to draft an ordinance.