Ocala seeks new ways to curb aggressive panhandling after ordinances deemed unconstitutional

OCALA, Fla. — Life is hard for those living on the streets in Ocala.

Tony Taylor, who has been homeless for 15 years, said he sometimes panhandles.

“I don’t see anything wrong with panhandling for those who need it,” he said.

Taylor said he is aware that some panhandlers can be aggressive and block heavily trafficked areas.

Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn said the behavior is getting out of hand in downtown.

“People would ask them for money. They would say ‘no.’ And then the other person would say, ‘No, please give me some money,’” he said.

So the city passed aggressive ordinances to crack down on the behavior, but parts of the ordinances have been determined to be unconstitutional.

The city now seeks to repeal portions of the ordinances about where people can ask for money.

Guinn said the city will consider other ways to curb panhandling.

“We’ll go back to the drawing board, figure something else out to try to stop it,” he said.