New Raleigh ordinance prohibits loitering, panhandling on roads and medians
Analyzed on Jul 17, 2025 at 4:58 PM
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New Raleigh ordinance prohibits loitering, panhandling on roads and medians
Wednesday, July 16, 2025 6:09PM
New Raleigh ordinance cracks down on loitering, panhandling
There are new rules in Raleigh taking aim at potentially dangerous behavior on busy streets.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- There are new rules in Raleigh taking aim at potentially dangerous behavior on busy streets.
Earlier this month, city leaders passed an ordinance that updates the city policy on loitering on medians and in traffic, while also specifically targeting panhandling in the street. That ordinance, which was approved by the council and the mayor on July 1, states: "No person shall stand, sit, or loiter in the right-of-way of any streets in the City, including on any median or median strip in a manner that impedes the normal movement of traffic."
It also adds a new paragraph to another section of the city code prohibiting "approaching a motor vehicle for the purpose of soliciting contributions".
More generally, panhandling must be approved by permit in Wake County.
ABC11 spoke with a business along New Bern Avenue about the new rules, which will go into effect on Nov. 1.
"I think it's going to be something that's going to be difficult to regulate. Like I said, are there people that are in the median and ask for money? Yes. But there are also plenty of people also just trying to get point A to point B that may walk through the median," said Jonathan Harward, a pharmacist at Josef's Pharmacy.
In 2024, there were dozens of complaints for panhandling filed with the Raleigh Police Department in southeast Raleigh.
Stay on top of breaking news stories with the ABC11 News App
"I certainly understand what the city's trying to do, but I think it's very nuanced and it's it's going to be a hard process no matter what," Harward said.
The City and Raleigh Police have dedicated new resources in recent years to handle complaints about people experiencing homelessness and providing compassionate service to those people. That includes RPD's ACORNS unit, which is made up of officers as well as social workers.
On Wednesday, RPD addressed the changes in a statement, saying:
"Panhandling is permitted in Raleigh. A new ordinance, set to take effect in November, prioritizes the safety of our community members. This new ordinance regulates any activity taking place in the median or right-of-way. While the Raleigh Police Department will enforce city ordinances, our primary focus remains on education and safety before taking any enforcement action."
ALSO SEE | Raleigh woman charged with DWI in crash that closed popular North Hills restaurant
ABC11 also spoke with Mayor Janet Cowell, who said it can be challenging balancing a compassionate approach to homelessness with public safety.
"I think we're trying to protect rights, but then also protect the safety of the entire community. Both the individuals actually panhandling, but also pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers, anyone that is out there in the traffic of a big, congested city," Cowell said.
Cowell said that panhandling is a protected right, but they're trying to eliminate dangerous situations on busy streets. She also confirmed new signage will be going up in the coming months as part of the city's efforts to educate first and then enforce.
ABC11 is tracking crime and safety across Raleigh and in your neighborhood
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Copyright © 2025 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Wednesday, July 16, 2025 6:09PM
New Raleigh ordinance cracks down on loitering, panhandling
There are new rules in Raleigh taking aim at potentially dangerous behavior on busy streets.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- There are new rules in Raleigh taking aim at potentially dangerous behavior on busy streets.
Earlier this month, city leaders passed an ordinance that updates the city policy on loitering on medians and in traffic, while also specifically targeting panhandling in the street. That ordinance, which was approved by the council and the mayor on July 1, states: "No person shall stand, sit, or loiter in the right-of-way of any streets in the City, including on any median or median strip in a manner that impedes the normal movement of traffic."
It also adds a new paragraph to another section of the city code prohibiting "approaching a motor vehicle for the purpose of soliciting contributions".
More generally, panhandling must be approved by permit in Wake County.
ABC11 spoke with a business along New Bern Avenue about the new rules, which will go into effect on Nov. 1.
"I think it's going to be something that's going to be difficult to regulate. Like I said, are there people that are in the median and ask for money? Yes. But there are also plenty of people also just trying to get point A to point B that may walk through the median," said Jonathan Harward, a pharmacist at Josef's Pharmacy.
In 2024, there were dozens of complaints for panhandling filed with the Raleigh Police Department in southeast Raleigh.
Stay on top of breaking news stories with the ABC11 News App
"I certainly understand what the city's trying to do, but I think it's very nuanced and it's it's going to be a hard process no matter what," Harward said.
The City and Raleigh Police have dedicated new resources in recent years to handle complaints about people experiencing homelessness and providing compassionate service to those people. That includes RPD's ACORNS unit, which is made up of officers as well as social workers.
On Wednesday, RPD addressed the changes in a statement, saying:
"Panhandling is permitted in Raleigh. A new ordinance, set to take effect in November, prioritizes the safety of our community members. This new ordinance regulates any activity taking place in the median or right-of-way. While the Raleigh Police Department will enforce city ordinances, our primary focus remains on education and safety before taking any enforcement action."
ALSO SEE | Raleigh woman charged with DWI in crash that closed popular North Hills restaurant
ABC11 also spoke with Mayor Janet Cowell, who said it can be challenging balancing a compassionate approach to homelessness with public safety.
"I think we're trying to protect rights, but then also protect the safety of the entire community. Both the individuals actually panhandling, but also pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers, anyone that is out there in the traffic of a big, congested city," Cowell said.
Cowell said that panhandling is a protected right, but they're trying to eliminate dangerous situations on busy streets. She also confirmed new signage will be going up in the coming months as part of the city's efforts to educate first and then enforce.
ABC11 is tracking crime and safety across Raleigh and in your neighborhood
Report a correction or typo
Copyright © 2025 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.
OVERALL ASSESSMENT
Moderately Pro-Punishment Bureaucracy
Medium confidence
Moderate bias present
This article presents a new anti-panhandling ordinance primarily through the lens of officials and law enforcement with minimal critical analysis. Readers should seek additional perspectives, particularly from homeless advocates and affected individuals, to understand the full context and potential impacts of this policy.
Critical Evidence
Frames the issue primarily as a public safety concern rather than a socioeconomic or homelessness issue
Uncritically presents the ordinance as addressing 'potentially dangerous behavior' without substantiating the danger
Significant source imbalance (2 system-supportive sources vs. 0 reform advocates)
No voices from affected populations (people experiencing homelessness or panhandlers)
No discussion of root causes of homelessness or panhandling
No evaluation of effectiveness of criminalization approaches to homelessness
Vague reference to 'dozens of complaints' without context or verification of actual safety incidents
Uncritical presentation of police statement about 'education before enforcement'
Portrayal of police as compassionate through mention of ACORNS unit without evaluation of effectiveness
Framing police as balancing 'compassion' with 'safety' without questioning this dichotomy
Presenting complaints to police as evidence of a problem without verification
No questioning of whether police are appropriate responders to homelessness issues
Narrative Analysis: Law enforcement is positioned as a balanced, reasonable actor that prioritizes education over punishment and provides 'compassionate service' through specialized units. The article presents police as having to balance competing interests rather than questioning whether criminalization is an appropriate response to homelessness.
Punishment Framing: The article softens the punitive nature of the ordinance by emphasizing 'education before enforcement' and focusing on safety concerns rather than the criminalization aspect. The potential consequences for homeless individuals are not discussed, nor is there any questioning of whether punishment addresses the underlying issues.
Source Balance Analysis
Perspective Distribution:
System: 2
Reform: 0
Expert: 0
Affected: 1
Jonathan Harward
Pharmacist
"Expresses concern about the difficulty of regulating the ordinance and notes the nuance of the situation, distinguishing between panhandlers and …"
Raleigh Police Department
Law Enforcement Agency
"States that panhandling is permitted but the new ordinance prioritizes safety; emphasizes education before enforcement"
Janet Cowell
Mayor
"Discusses balancing compassionate approach to homelessness with public safety; states panhandling is a protected right but they're trying to eliminate …"
Narrative Framework
PRIMARY THEME
New Raleigh ordinance prohibiting loitering and panhandling on roads and medians
SUPPORTING THEMES
Public safety concerns
Homelessness issues
Law enforcement approach to implementation
Business community reactions
STORY TYPE
policy_analysis
FRAMING APPROACH
neutral_reporting
Key Entities & Context
INCIDENT TIMELINE
New Raleigh ordinance prohibiting loitering and panhandling on roads and medians
Ordinance approved July 1, 2025; will go into effect November 1, 2025
PEOPLE MENTIONED
law_enforcement
Raleigh Police Department
political_figures
Janet Cowell (Mayor of Raleigh)
Raleigh city leaders
city council
experts
Jonathan Harward (pharmacist at Josef's Pharmacy)
affected_individuals
people experiencing homelessness
panhandlers
LOCATIONS
primary_location
Raleigh, North Carolina
jurisdiction
Raleigh, N.C.
Wake County
institution
Raleigh Police Department
RPD's ACORNS unit
Josef's Pharmacy
New Bern Avenue
Skepticism Balance
OVERALL ASSESSMENT
Moderately Skewed Pro-Punishment Bureaucracy
The article primarily presents the new ordinance from the official perspective with minimal critical questioning. While it includes a brief skeptical comment from a local business owner about implementation challenges, it doesn't deeply examine effectiveness, alternatives, or potential negative impacts. The article mentions the ACORNS unit as an alternative approach but doesn't evaluate its effectiveness. The framing presents the ordinance as addressing 'potentially dangerous behavior' without substantiating the danger or questioning whether criminalization is the most effective approach to addressing homelessness and panhandling.
Analysis shows moderately skewed pro-punishment bureaucracy based on content framing and source treatment, though specific skepticism toward individual groups was not explicitly measured.
Statistical Evidence
1
Total
1
Official
0
Academic
dozens of complaints for panhandling filed with the Raleigh Police Department in southeast Raleigh
Complaints about panhandling in southeast Raleigh in 2024
Presumably Raleigh Police Department records
Assessment Summary
REPORTING STRENGTHS
- Includes some nuance through the business owner's perspective on implementation challenges
- Acknowledges that panhandling is a protected right
- Mentions the ACORNS unit which includes social workers alongside officers
- Avoids overtly dehumanizing language about homeless people
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT
- Fails to question the effectiveness of criminalization approaches
- No investigation into root causes of homelessness or panhandling
- No voices from directly affected populations
- Uncritically accepts framing of panhandling as a safety issue
- No discussion of potential negative consequences of the ordinance
- No context for the 'dozens of complaints' statistic