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Palm Beach County initially OKs road panhandling ban, questions adding jail time

Getting panhandlers off the streets is the goal, but tossing them in jail isn't necessarily the answer.

That was the message Tuesday from Palm Beach County commissioners, who moved ahead with a proposed ban to keep panhandlers and others off the roads, but questioned whether the potential punishments are too steep.

Under the proposal, panhandlers, protesters, peddlers, and anyone else would have to stay off county roads and road medians while collecting money, waving signs or passing out materials.

But several county commissioners raised concerns about the punishments proposed for breaking the new rule.