Yes, it’s illegal to stand in the roadway and solicit: OPD is cracking down

ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The Odessa Police Department is cracking down on those standing in the roadway trying to solicit rides and money after receiving complaints from motorists about safety. In the last week, at least eight people have been arrested for violating Odessa’s City Ordinance and the Texas Transportation Code, because of their “aggressiveness” when approaching drivers in the area.

On April 25, officers with the Odessa Police Department responded multiple times to the area of Faudree Road and Highway 191 after drivers in the area called to complain about four men who were seen standing in the roadway. OPD said it takes these calls seriously because of the high volume of pedestrian crashes in the city, as well as the rise in traffic accidents in high traveled areas.

Officers said the four men in this case, identified as Fredrick Forrest, of Natchez, Mississippi, Reginald Young, of Missouri City, Texas, Glarence Perteet, and Jessie McCormick, Jr., both of Houston, were seen darting in and out of traffic as they approached multiple vehicles on both sides of the overpass and knocked “aggressively” on the windows to ask for money. OPD said officers warned all four men to get out of the roadway and arrested them when they refused to comply with those instructions.

Then, on April 29, officers were called to the area of Yukon and Andrews Highway after complains about more roadway solicitors in the area. Investigators said those men, identified as Anthony Yarborough, Tracy Lee Thomas, Justin Chatman, and Shawn Edward Jefferson, all of Dallas, were seen approaching motorists in the dangerous manner, by darting in and out of traffic, to ask for cash and rides.

All eight men were arrested and charged accordingly.

OPD said soliciting from vehicles is a violation of Texas Transportation Code 552.007(a), as well as a violation of Odessa’s City Ordinance, which prohibits this behavior. Odessa’s ordinance states that a person commits an offense if “while occupying any public property adjacent to or in a public roadway in the city, he knowingly conducts a solicitation directed to, or intended to attract the attention of, the occupant of any vehicle stopped or traveling on the roadway. An offense occurs when the solicitation is made, whether or not an actual employment relationship is created, a transaction is completed, or an exchange of money, goods, or service takes place.”

It is not, however, illegal to enter the roadway if you need to request aid or assistance in an emergency situation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin.