If you drive through Miramar, you'll no longer have to pull out any pocket change after the city officially became a no begging zone Monday.
It's one of the latest Broward cities to put a ban on begging at major intersections, according to the Sun-Sentinel.
Anyone caught soliciting for themselves or charity or selling anything on the street could face a $500 fine and up to 60 days behind bars under the new law.
Supporters say the law will actually help panhandlers, who are at risk for getting hit bay cars everytime they stand near the street.
"This is one of the most dangerous places for pedestrians in the county," Miramar Assistant Chief of Police Ray Black told the Sun-Sentinel. "We're all challenged by the high volume of cars and pedestrian activity."
Homeless advocates claim the law is less about safety and more about kicking the homeless out.
"Would it really be all about safety?" asked Sean Cononie, founder of the Homeless Voice shelter. "We don't tell people they can't walk across the street in Miramar. We don't tell people they can't ride their bikes in Miramar. And there're so many more of those kinds of deaths than these."
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Several other Broward communities have similar laws in place, though an attempt to limit panhandlers in Oakland Park by punishing not only the receivers but also the givers of donations was rejected last month.
Also last month, Miami's city commission voted to keep panhandlers out of certain downtown areas around the American Airlines Arena and the Arsht Center.
"This is the very beginning of taking back the streets of Miami," city commission Chairman Marc Sarnoff said following the vote.
