– There have been more than 1,100 calls to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to report panhandling around the city this year.and on medians without a permit.MORE:So far, in the three weeks since JSO has gone live with their enforcement of the plan, no one has applied for a permit that is now needed to ask drivers for money on the right-of-way of any public street or highway.
“Some people, they need it. Some people are veterans, homeless and need a couple bucks. Some people don’t,” said Jacksonville resident Carlos Ruiz. “I give all the time. Whatever change I have in here. They should not penalize the people who have a good heart,” Ruiz said.The ordinance includes two permits per applicant per year, and the time to solicit is now no more than three days during 12 hours of daylight.