Panhandling in Prince William County

For everyone who drives in Prince William County, you’ve likely noticed the growing presence of panhandlers at busy intersections—often the same individuals, day after day. While many are asking for help, the method of these interactions has created an undeniable public safety crisis that our board must address.

This is not about criminalizing poverty. It’s about protecting lives—both for those in vehicles and those on foot.

A Real Safety Concern

Let’s be clear: the issue isn’t the act of asking for help. The problem is the physical exchange of items between moving vehicles and pedestrians, and the resulting chain reaction in traffic.

• Panhandling forces drivers to divide their attention, distracting drivers and not on surrounding vehicles or pedestrians in crosswalks.
• Aggressive panhandling, including people knocking on windows or stepping into active traffic lanes, increases the risk of accidents and injuries.
• Once drivers choose to engage—rolling down their window, reaching for cash, or handing over food—they’re no longer focused on driving. This distraction endangers not only themselves, but also every driver and pedestrian nearby.
• Drivers behind them don’t expect sudden stops or slowdowns caused by these handoffs. If something drops during the exchange, the reaction could result in a multi-vehicle accident, or a pedestrian could be injured.

These aren’t theoretical risks. They’re daily realities playing out on our streets in our communities. That’s why jurisdictions like Loudoun County took action back in 2013, enacting a content-neutral ordinance that bans physical exchanges between drivers and pedestrians in traffic lanes. Their solution has held up in court and continues to save lives today.

What the Law Actually Allows

Panhandling—holding signs, making eye contact, asking for help verbally—is protected by the First Amendment. But the “time, place, and manner” of that expression can be regulated—especially because it is a public safety risk.

Loudoun’s ordinance does precisely that. It prohibits all physical exchanges in travel lanes—no matter the content of the exchange. Whether someone hands off a flyer, money, or food, it’s not about the object being exchanged. It’s about when and where that interaction occurs.

Where Prince William County Stands Now

Today, Prince William County does not have such protection in place. Previous panhandling ordinances were repealed due to overly specific language that couldn’t withstand constitutional scrutiny.

In 2024, Supervisor Yesli Vega proposed a revised, safety-first ordinance modeled after Loudoun’s approach. It earned bipartisan support but ultimately stalled amid legal questions. As it stands, there is no enforceable regulation preventing dangerous roadside exchanges.

Meanwhile, panhandling continues—often inches from moving traffic—putting everyone at risk.

What We Should Do

Prince William County can be both compassionate and wise. Here’s how:

1. Adopt a Roadway Exchange Ban
   • Reinstate a content-neutral ordinance banning physical exchanges between drivers and pedestrians in travel lanes.
   • Mirror Loudoun’s legally upheld model to ensure enforceability and public trust.
2. Restrict Standing on Channelization devices
   • No person shall stand, sit, kneel, lie, or remain within any portion of a roadway, including any channelization device, traffic island, or median, that is not designed or intended for pedestrian use, except when:
       A. Actively crossing the roadway at a marked or unmarked crosswalk; or
       B. Authorized by a government agency or emergency personnel for official duties.
3. Expand Awareness Campaigns
   • Educate “Give Where It Counts” into a broader initiative with increased visibility at intersections and across online platforms.
   • Make safety a non-negotiable in all programming.
4. Investigate Potential Exploitation
   • Recognize the growing concern that some panhandling may be part of coordinated, organized activity—including trafficking rings.
   • Equip law enforcement with tools to distinguish between voluntary panhandling and exploitation.

Final Thoughts

Safety is not political. It’s not partisan. And it’s not incompatible with compassion.

We can—and must—craft a solution that preserves constitutional rights while protecting lives. That begins with acknowledging the real danger of roadside exchanges and taking measured, enforceable steps to eliminate them.

Let’s follow Loudoun’s lead, revive Supervisor Vega’s proposal, and adopt a modern ordinance that reflects the seriousness of this issue.

Public safety and compassion are not opposites. They’re partners in real solutions.