QUESTION OF THE DAY: Will Columbia's Median Ordinance Be Effective?

Opponents of median safety ordinance protest rule as ban goes into effect

Four demonstrators at Providence Road and Business Loop 70 received citations while protesting the ordinance.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Will Columbia's median ordinance be effective?

An ordinance that prevents people from standing on medians along busy roads in Columbia is taking effect. The police have been on an education campaign, informing panhandlers about the ordinance ahead of Wednesday's effective date. But the ordinance is still meeting political resistance from people who say it unfairly targets those same panhandlers and restricts civil rights. A protest is scheduled for Wednesday morning against the restrictions …

Protestors push back against new Columbia median ordinance

Columbia police began enforcing the new pedestrian safety ordinance on July 1 as protesters argue the policy targets panhandling.

Columbia's pedestrian safety ordinance now in effect; opponents plan to panhandle Wednesday at two locations

Columbia’s new pedestrian safety ordinance takes effect Wednesday morning. Then-Columbia city council member Nick Foster and city council member Vera Elwood attend a budget town hall at city hall (February 26, 2026 file photo from 939 the Eagle’s Brian Hauswirth) The city council voted 5-2 in February to approve the ordinance, which restricts pedestrians and drivers from interacting at medians and intersections that are narrow (less than six fee…