(A) Permitted. It shall be lawful to beg or solicit alms, except in a manner set forth in division (B) below.
(B) Prohibited conduct while begging or soliciting alms. It shall be unlawful for any person to ask, beg or solicit alms or contributions of money, food or clothes, or exhibit oneself for the purpose of begging or soliciting alms or such contributions, by:
(1) Aggressively accosting another; or
(2) Forcing oneself upon the company of another.
(C) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
AGGRESSIVELY ACCOSTING. As approaching or speaking to someone in such manner as would cause a reasonable person to fear imminent bodily harm or the commission of a criminal act upon his or her person, or upon property in his or her immediate possession.
ASK, BEG or SOLICIT. Without limitation, the spoken, written or printed word, or such other acts as are conducted in furtherance of the purpose of obtaining alms or contributions of money, food or clothing.
FORCING ONESELF UPON THE COMPANY OF ANOTHER.
(a) Continuing to request, beg or solicit alms or contributions of money, food or clothing in close proximity to the person addressed after the person to whom the request is directed has made a negative response;
(b) Blocking the passage of the person addressed; or
(c) Otherwise engaging in conduct which could reasonably be construed as intended to compel or force a person to accede to demands.
(Ord. passed 5-14-1997) Penalty, see § 130.99