Atlanta adopts new anti-panhandling law

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ATLANTA, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- The Atlanta City Council has adopted a new ban on panhandling that allows repeat offenders to be sent to jail.

Under the ordinance that passed Tuesday, anyone asking for money must stop once the person they are soliciting has turned them down, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. First offenders can be sentenced to 30 days community service, while second and third offenses can bring 30 and 90 days in jail.

The city has had an aggressive panhandling ordinance on the books for seven years. But officials said police were unable to use it effectively because it did not allow for jail sentences.

The new ordinance requires panhandlers to stay at least 15 feet away from cash machines and pay boxes for parking.