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Source: The Daily News, Jacksonville, N.迷你倉C.Dec. 26--Though it's the season for giving, local law enforcement wants to remind everyone that panhandling is not allowed by local and state law."They can obstruct traffic and cause people to mash on their breaks," Onslow County Sheriff Ed Brown said. "People aren't expecting people to come across the road like that."According to N.C. General Statute 20-175, "no person shall stand or loiter in the main traveled portion, including shoulders and median, of any state highway street ... or stop any motor vehicle for the purpose of soliciting employment, business or contributions from the driver or occupant of any motor vehicle that impedes the normal movement of traffic."According to Brown, it's a law worth enforcing to maintain the flow of traffic and ensure hard-earned dollars aren't wasted. Brown says signs asking for employment, food and money aren't always what they seem."We just enforce the law," Brown said. "I believe it's a law we need. If they say they will work for money or food, they should go to work."Panhandling also is forbidden in Jacksonville's city limits under city code 17-24, which states: "It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in business as a peddler within this city without first obtaining a permit to do soself storage"Jacksonville Police Department Spokeswoman Beth Purcell said peddler and panhandler is synonymous in this context and "reputable charitable organizations" are exempt from the rule, so long as they have prior permission from the city or a property's owner. Purcell said donations -- especially this time of year -- should be done carefully."When donating money, take consideration to avoid scams and potential fraud," Purcell said. "Never donate money as a result of a telephone or email request without first verifying with whom you are speaking. Do your homework."According to Purcell and Brown, places with busy traffic -- vehicular and pedestrian -- are likely destinations for panhandlers. Brown said people wanting to give to panhandlers should look to more reputable places to give their charitable donations."They work on people's sympathies," Brown said. "People's hearts are softer this time of year. They'll catch traffic coming out of the shopping centers like a toll bridge."Christopher Thomas is a staff writer for The Daily News. To contact him, call 910-219-8473 or send an email to christopher.thomas@jdnews.com.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 The Daily News (Jacksonville, N.C.) Visit The Daily News (Jacksonville, N.C.) at .jdnews.com Distributed by MCT Information Services迷利倉