Eugene council hears proposal to ban handing items from vehicles in travel lanes; no vote taken

Police Chief Chris Skinner brought a sample ordinance to the Eugene City Council work session on Sept. 17, 2025, asking the council to consider banning the exchange of money or goods from motor vehicles while stopped in travel lanes. The council discussed the proposed “unlawful transfer” rule, its public-safety rationale and legal risks; members did not vote and directed staff to reschedule the item so the absent councilor can participate.

The proposal grew out of a council request from an April 2025 work session; Chief Skinner opened with a brief update on related enforcement efforts including metal-theft reductions and a city effort to return shopping carts to stores. “I have, since that time, witnessed very, several near misses as I've watched people walk into traffic,” Skinner told council, describing incidents in which pedestrians crossed lanes to accept items passed from vehicles. He said the department prefers an education-first approach but that an ordinance would give…