FAYETTEVILLE -- The Fayetteville City Council is proposing an ordinance that would ban people from giving or accepting donations on the side of the road. 

Some city leaders say the law is about public safety and keeping traffic moving, but those who survive on the streets disagree.

If the ordinance becomes law, the first offense comes with a warning, then fines could range $25 to $100 dollars for repeated offenses. 

"I think it's pretty ridiculous that someone could get fined for that," said panhandler, Robert Moran. "People should have the right to give to who they want to, how they want to, and however much they want to." 

"We were having groups work this intersection at all four medians at some of the busiest times of the day and night," said Councilman Jim Arp. "It was a real safety issue."

Arp says the ordinance isn't targeting panhandlers. It would apply to any group soliciting donations on public streets or intersections, like fundraisers or car washes.