§ 16-82. Aggressive begging prohibited.

(a)

For the purpose of this section the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given herein:

Beg means to stop or accost another or direct persons or animals to stop or accost another or direct persons or animals to stop or accost another, and to ask for money or other thing of value, either by words, bodily gestures, signs or other devices.

Hinder or obstruct means to walk, stand, sit or lie in such a manner as to block or attempt to block or restrict passage by another or to require a person approaching to take evasive action to avoid physical contact.

Public place is an area open to the general public, including but not limited to streets, sidewalks, bridges, alleys, plazas, parks, driveways, parking lots and buildings open to the general public, and the doorways and entrances to buildings or dwellings and the grounds enclosing them.

Repeatedly means two or more times within a period of one hour.

(b)

It shall be unlawful and a Class "C" offense for any person to aggressively beg as defined by this section. A person is guilty of aggressive begging if he or she:

(1)

Repeatedly begs in a manner that hinders or obstructs the free passage of any person in a public place; or

(2)

By physical action while in the act of begging, intentionally causes or attempts to cause another person to reasonably fear imminent force or violence upon his person or upon property in his immediate possession, or commission of any criminal act upon his person or upon property in his immediate possession.

(Code 1966, § 14-11; Code 1982, § 16-82; Ord. No. 1552, § 8, 12-19-1974; Ord. No. 3202, § 3, 9-17-2012)