(A) Restrictions. It shall be unlawful for any person on the streets, sidewalks or other public places, within the corporate limits of the town to:
(1) Interfere with or obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic;
(2) Accost or force oneself upon the company of another;
(3) Aggressively coerce, intimidate or harass for the purpose of soliciting alms, or begging charity for the private benefit of the solicitor or any other person whether in the form of money or goods.
(4) It shall be unlawful to engage in begging, panhandling, soliciting alms or contributions from another person at any location between sunset and 9:00 a.m. or at any time within 100 feet of an automated teller machine or at any other machine at which money is dispensed to the public.
(B) Definitions.
ACCOST OR FORCE ONESELF UPON. Approaching or speaking to an individual or individuals in a manner that would cause a reasonable person to fear imminent bodily harm, continuing to beg in close proximity even after a negative response or blocking the passage of the individual addressed.
AGGRESSIVELY COERCE, INTIMIDATE or HARASS. Making physical contact with, threatening or violent gestures toward, torment persistently or frighten an individual into submission or obedience.
INTERFERE WITH OR OBSTRUCT. To walk, stand, sit, lie or place an object in a manner so as to block passage by another person or vehicle, or to require a person or vehicle to take evasive action to avoid physical contact.
STREETS, SIDEWALKS OR OTHER PUBLIC PLACES. An area generally visible to public view and includes alleys, bridges, buildings, driveways, parking lots, parks, plazas, sidewalks and streets open to the general public.
(1985 Code, § 131.05) (Ord. 2013-06, passed 7-19-2012) Penalty, see § 131.99
Statutory reference:
Regulation of begging, see G.S. § 160A-179