Panhandling:
Legislation in place: Akron
City of Akron Ordinance (current)
135.10 Unlawful panhandling and fraudulent solicitation.
A. For purposes of this section,
"panhandling" means any solicitation made in person requesting an immediate
donation of money. The purchase of an item for an amount far exceeding its value, under
circumstances where a reasonable person would understand that the purchase is, in
substance, a donation shall be considered a donation. "Panhandling" does not
include passively standing or sitting with a sign or other non-verbal indication that one
is seeking donations, without addressing any solicitation to any specific person other
than in response to an inquiry by that person.
B. No person shall panhandle after sunset
or before sunrise on any street, sidewalk, public right-of-way, or other public property.
C. No person shall panhandle any person(s):
1. At a bus stop or train stop;
2. In a public transportation vehicle or facility;
3. In a vehicle on the street; or
4. On private property, unless the panhandler has written permission
from the owner or occupant of the private property.
D. No person shall panhandle on any street,
sidewalk, public right-of-way, or public property by:
1. Blocking the path of the person being asked for a donation;
2. Following a person who walks away from the panhandler; or
3. Making any statement, gesture, or other communication by which the
panhandler knowingly causes another to believe that the panhandler will cause physical
harm to the person or property of the other person.
E. No person shall knowingly make
any false or misleading representation in the course of panhandling. False or misleading
representations include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Stating that the donation is needed to meet a specified need, when
the panhandler already has sufficient funds to meet that need and does not disclose that
fact;
2. Stating that the donation is needed to meet a need which does not
exist;
3. Stating that the panhandler is from out of town and stranded, when
that is not true;
4. Wearing a military uniform or other indication of military service,
when the panhandler is neither a present nor former member of the service indicated;
5. Wearing or displaying an indication of physical disability, when the
panhandler does not suffer the disability indicated;
6. Use of any makeup or device to simulate any deformity; or
7. Stating that the panhandler is homeless, when the panhandler is not.
F. No person shall panhandle stating that the donation is needed for a
specific purpose and then spend the donation received for a different purpose.
G. Whoever violates any provision of this
section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. (Ord. 536-1994) |
