Madison police focus on education as roadway panhandling ordinance takes effect Monday

Madison Police Department officers can begin citing people standing on roadway medians Monday, but will focus on educating offenders first, Lt. Mike Hanson said.

An ordinance prohibiting people from standing on medians and terraces for prolonged periods of time takes effect Monday. People are also banned from approaching vehicles in operation.

Hanson said officers will make an effort to educate those standing in medians by talking to them and handing out informational pamphlets for the next three weeks.

“This is to keep both the motorist safe, so they do not deviate from traffic or slow down or create any road rage, and it’s also to keep the pedestrians that are on the medians safe as well, so no one gets struck or injured or causes any kind of accidents,” Hanson said.

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