(A) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ACCOSTING ANOTHER PERSON. As approaching or speaking to someone in such a manner as would cause a reasonable person to fear imminent bodily harm or the commission of a criminal act or damage to property in his or her immediate possession.
BEG, PANHANDLE OR SOLICIT CONTRIBUTIONS. Includes, without limitation, the spoken, written, or printed word or such other acts as are conducted in furtherance of the purpose of obtaining contributions.
DIRECT WRITTEN APPEAL. Begging, panhandling, or solicitation by handing to a person or attempting to hand to a person a written solicitation for immediate contributions.
FORCING ONESELF UPON THE COMPANY OF ANOTHER PERSON.
(a) Continuing to request or solicit contributions in close proximity to the person addressed after that person has responded negatively;
(b) Blocking the passage of the person addressed; or
(c) Otherwise engaging in conduct which reasonably could be understood as intended to
force a person to accede to demands.
INTIMIDATE ANOTHER PERSON. Acting in such a way as would cause a reasonable person to fear bodily harm and therefore to do something he or she would not otherwise have done.
NIGHTTIME. The time from dusk to dawn.
PUBLIC PLACE. Includes streets, highways, and roadways (including the shoulders and medians), sidewalks, alleys, and other public property, as well as town-owned and town-controlled property and private property open to the public unless permission to solicit has been obtained from the town or from the property owner or other person in authority.
VOCAL APPEAL. Begging, panhandling, or solicitation of contributions by spoken word or other verbal request. This shall not include the act of performing music with a sign or other indication that a contribution is being sought, without any vocal request other than in response to an inquiry.
(B) Activities prohibited.
(1) No person shall beg, panhandle, or solicit contributions in a public place in a manner so as to intimidate another person or by accosting another person, or by forcing oneself upon the company of another person.
(2) No person shall beg, panhandle, or solicit contributions from another person within 50 feet of an entrance or exit of any bank or financial institution or within 50 feet of any automated teller machine.
(3) No person shall beg, panhandle, or solicit contributions in any public transportation vehicle inside the town or at any station for such vehicle or within six feet of a bus stop sign, bus stop shelter, or bus stop bench.
(4) No person shall beg, panhandle, or solicit contributions while sitting or standing on a roadway or the shoulder or median of a roadway.
(5) No person shall beg, panhandle, or solicit contributions in a public place by vocal appeal or direct written appeal during nighttime.
(Ord. 2014-08, passed 10-8-2013) Penalty, see § 131.99