Columbia

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

Published July 1, 2026 4:00 AM

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 taking effect.

Do you think enforcement of the new ordinance will keep people off the medians? Let us know by voting in the poll.

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Matthew Sanders

Matthew Sanders is the digital content director at ABC 17 News.

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