The Georgia city will pay $55,000 to train its police officers on free speech after a veteran was arrested for "panhandling."

A Georgia city will modify its free speech policies and pay $55,000 to settle a lawsuit over a veteran's arrest for panhandling, which occurred more than two years ago.

Jeff Gray, an Army veteran and self-proclaimed First Amendment auditor, frequently journeys through the southeast, occupies public spaces, and displays a sign that reads "God bless the homeless vets." He does this to assess officials' responses and frequently records police officers who accuse him of unlawful demonstrating or begging.

In January 2022, Gray stood outside Alpharetta City Hall with his sign and called out "God bless the homeless vets" to passersby. A police lieutenant soon approached him, stating that two individuals had reported Gray for panhandling.

Gray was handcuffed by Lt. Furr while saying "God bless the homeless veterans" on public property. Furr also took Gray's camera and turned it off, claiming it was to preserve the battery, as recorded on Gray's Apple Watch.

Another officer joined in the detention and interrogated and berated Gray before eventually releasing him without charges, according to the lawsuit. However, when he tried to resume his sign-holding, police again asked him to leave, and Gray complied.

In 2023, Gray filed a lawsuit against the city of Alpharetta with the help of the nonprofit Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE).

Last month, the city reached a settlement, committing to revise its policies and pay $55,000. The majority of this amount will be given to Gray, with a portion also going towards his legal representation.

"Alpharetta police attempted to expel [Gray] from the city due to their belief that displaying a sign was a form of disorderly conduct, according to FIRE attorney Adam Steinbaugh. "This incident serves as a reminder that free speech rights must be upheld," Steinbaugh stated."

In 2024 and 2025, the city must provide "two hours of First Amendment training" to each officer, with a focus on freedom of speech, assembly rights, recording police activity, profanity towards officers, and refusing to answer officers' questions, as per the settlement.

No comment was immediately provided by Alpharetta officials or Furr's attorney upon request.

The First Amendment safeguards individuals' right to request financial assistance from others, even if Gray had been panhandling. However, the police in the city of approximately 67,000 residents frequently stopped people and threatened them with citations or arrest, as revealed by public records obtained by FIRE.

Alpharetta's new policy, effective July 18, prohibits police from making blanket statements that panhandling is illegal.

The new policy states that officers may explain that certain areas or manners have restrictions on panhandling due to ordinances or state law, as long as the explanation accurately reflects the existing laws.

FIRE announced that Alpharetta officers accused of violating the First Amendment will undergo a more rigorous internal investigation.

FIRE also represented Gray in lawsuits against two other Georgia cities.

In Blackshear, Gray was charged with holding his sign without a permit, while in Port Wentworth, he was arrested for refusing to leave the area outside city hall where he was holding his sign, according to the lawsuits.

Both lawsuits were settled last year.