Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort Welcomes New Anti-Panhandling Legislation
Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort Welcomes
New Anti-Panhandling Legislation
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (February 20, 2019) – For the past two years, the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort and other businesses in the Daytona area have received an influx of reports about panhandling. These panhandlers have detracted from the overall visitor experience in Daytona Beach and disrupted guests' stay, and the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort has devoted significant time and effort to addressing the issue and reducing the impact these panhandlers have on the visitor experience. The resort team, along with several other businesses, played an instrumental and outspoken role in placing anti-panhandling legislation in front of Daytona Beach city commissioners.
On Wednesday, February 5, the commissioners unanimously voted (7-0) on a new measure that bans panhandling in identified "hot spots" throughout the area, which included the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort and surrounding boardwalk area including A1A. This measure will improve the overall visitor experience and make the city safer and more appealing for families, groups, locals and other travelers seeking the best of Florida’s surf, sand and sunshine.
“It is our duty to each and every one of our visitors and business partners to support and enforce the new panhandling ban,” said Tiler Thiesen, Marketing Manager at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort. “This ban will have a positive impact on not just the resort and surrounding boardwalk area including A1A, but on Daytona's core tourist district, which encompasses the Boardwalk, Ocean Center and beaches. The Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort remains deeply committed to preserving guests' safety and wellbeing at all times, from the moment they arrive to the moment they return to their homes.”
Effective immediately, area police can now charge $200 fines for panhandling and arrest people who solicit in outlawed areas, beg during prohibited hours and try to cajole people in ways deemed to be overaggressive. The new ban will extend within 20 feet of an entrance or exit of commercially zoned property, a bus stop or public transportation facility, an automated teller machine, parking lots, parking garages, parking meters, parking pay stations and any public restroom owned and operated by a governmental agency. The ban will also be strictly enforced on Daytona’s famous Boardwalk, within 150 feet of any signalized intersection and within 100 feet of any daycare center or school including pre-kindergarten through grade 12.
The measure also outlines a list of behaviors that will not be tolerated and will result in a fine and / or arrest. These include but are not limited to approaching people in vehicles to aggressively beg; soliciting people at outdoor dining and merchandise areas; attempting to coax money out of people when they’re standing in line waiting to enter a business; touching a target of panhandling without the person’s consent, or using profane or abusive language when refused money. Panhandling after dark and while a beggar is under the influence of alcohol or illegally used drugs will also not be tolerated.
The Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort looks forward to welcoming new and returning guests to beautiful Daytona Beach. For those who would like to learn more about the legislation or speak with a resort representative, please contact Tara Tufo as noted below.
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About Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort:
Located in the heart of Daytona Beach and steps away from the city’s best oceanside shopping and visitor attractions, the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort is a family-oriented and pet-friendly property offering world-class amenities on Florida’s famed Atlantic coastline. Recently named one of Florida’s best hotels by U.S. News and World Report, the property has undergone a $25 million renovation and is home to 744 rooms, including 32 suites and 30 beachfront cabana suites, as well as two resort-style pools, a spa, gift shop, fitness center, seasonal events, kid-friendly activities and several premiere restaurant and bar venues for every taste. In addition, Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort offers more than 60,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor space for meetings, weddings and other special events.
The Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort is located at 100 N. Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach Florida, 32118. For more information, visit DaytonaHilton.com or call 386-254-8200.
MEDIA CONTACT
Tara Tufo
[email protected]
(727) 821-5155 x 126
