FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(PHILADELPHIA, PA) September 10, 2015 –Today, Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown introduced a bill to combat “solicitations of contributions in the roadway by minors,” otherwise known as street peddling.
The bill aims to reduce street peddling by minors by mandating fines for adults responsible for minors who peddle goods or solicit money in the streets. Chapter 10-308-3b of the Philadelphia code titled Minors would be changed to read as follows:
“Any adult allowing a minor under his or her care, custody or control, to violate the provisions of this Section shall be issued a notice of violation in the amount of three hundred dollars ($300).”
Street peddling most often occurs in busy intersections and on highways with high traffic, and as a result it poses a threat to the safety of both minors and drivers. Peddlers distract drivers, interfere with traffic, and can cause accidents between vehicles or between minors and vehicles. Child peddlers are particularly dangerous because they are smaller, less visible, and typically less educated in road safety and potential injuries caused by even a slow moving car.
The current Philadelphia Code puts the issue of a notice of violation for street peddling at the discretion of the officer present. However, since that legislation was passed in 2007, no city violations have been issued. For eight years, street peddling by minors has continued. New legislation will increase the penalty from $100 to $300 and spark a new dialogue about enforcement with the Police Department.
“Street peddling is dangerous to both children and motorists alike,” said Councilwoman Reynolds Brown. “The last thing anyone wants is for an accident to happen, or for a child to be injured or killed. In 2007, we allowed police officers to enforce current street peddling laws at their discretion, but not one single violation was issued. Given that information, it is clear we must re-ignite this dialogue and work with the police department to achieve a paradigm shift in their policies regarding street peddling. Doing nothing is not acceptable.”
For additional information please contact Communications Manager Jason Lewis at 215-686-3438 or 267-250-2925.
Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown has passed meaningful legislation and supported valuable community programming that positively impacts her core issues: children and youth, women, education, small business development, arts and culture and the environment and sustainability. Councilwoman Reynolds Brown is the only woman to win an At-Large Council seat since 1999.
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