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Panhandlers Banned From Standing In Medians

LONGMONT, Colo. (CBS4)- Starting Monday it is illegal to stand in the medians of nine high-traffic intersections in Longmont.

The city installed signs on the medians to alert people to the new ordinance.

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Police stress this doesn't keep people from panhandling, only from staying off medians.

"It was just a big concern that people were going to fall off and get hit by a car. Most of the intersections are pretty heavily traveled and can be fairly high speed," said Longmont Police Dept. spokesman Joel Post.

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Penalties for violating the ordinance are up to 90 days in jail and a $500 fine. Police plan on issuing warnings before actually ticketing violators.

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