[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township
of Middle 11-18-2013 by Ord. No. 1462-13.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Ch. 90,
Begging, adopted 10-7-2013 by Ord. No. 1456-13.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Speaking to or following a person in a manner that would
cause a reasonable person to fear bodily harm or the commission of
a criminal act upon the person or upon property upon the person's
immediate possession or would intimidate another person into giving
money or goods.
To ask for money or goods as a charity, whether by words,
bodily gestures, signs or other means.
To walk, stand, sit, lie or place an object in such a manner
as to block passage by another person or vehicle, or to require another
person or a driver of a vehicle to take evasive action to avoid physical
contact. Acts authorized pursuant to the City's picketing and parade
ordinances and regulations are exempt from this chapter.
An area generally visible to public view and includes the
Boardwalk, alleys, bridges, buildings, driveways, parking lots, parks,
plazas, sidewalks and streets opened to the general public, including
those that serve food or drink or provide entertainment, and the doorways
and entrances to buildings, shops or dwellings and/or grounds enclosing
them.
No person may ask, beg or solicit alms, including money and
other things of value, in an aggressive manner in any public place.
Acts authorized as an exercise of one's constitutional right to picket,
the right to legally protest, any acts authorized by permit or parades
issued pursuant to the Code of the Township of Middle shall not constitute
obstruction of pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
A.Â
A person is guilty of pedestrian interference if, in a public place,
that person intentionally obstructs pedestrian or vehicular traffic
or if that person aggressively begs.
B.Â
No person may aggressively ask, beg or solicit alms in any public
transportation vehicle or at any bus or train station or stop.
C.Â
No person may aggressively ask, beg or solicit alms within 100 feet
of any automatic teller machine (ATM).
D.Â
No person may aggressively ask, beg or solicit alms from any operator
or occupant of a motor vehicle that is in traffic on a public street.
E.Â
No person may aggressively ask, beg or solicit alms from any operator
or occupant of a motor vehicle on a public street in exchange for
blocking, occupying or reserving a public parking space or directing
the operator or occupant to a public parking space.
F.Â
No person may aggressively ask, beg or solicit alms in exchange for
cleaning motor vehicle windows while the vehicle is in traffic on
a public street.
G.Â
No person may aggressively ask, beg or solicit alms in exchange for
protecting, watching, washing, cleaning, repairing or painting a motor
vehicle or bicycle while it is parked on a public street.
H.Â
No person may aggressively ask, beg or solicit alms on private property
or residential property without permission from the owner or occupant.
I.Â
No person may aggressively ask, beg or solicit alms at any time.
J.Â
No person may aggressively ask, beg or solicit alms within 25 feet
of the entrance or exit of any business establishment where the express
intent of such asking, begging or soliciting of alms is to solicit
directly from the employees or patrons of such business establishment.
Nothing herein shall prohibit not-for-profit organizations from
soliciting donations. Such organizations may seek written approval
to solicit same from the Municipal Police Department.
A.Â
First offense: a fine up to $250 plus up to 30 days' jail time and
up to five days of court-approved community service.
B.Â
Second offense: a fine up to $500 plus up to 30 days' jail time and
up to 10 days of court-approved community service.
C.Â
Third offense: a fine up to $1,000 plus up to 30 days' jail time
and up to 15 days of court-approved community service.
[Added 5-15-2023 by Ord. No. 1670-23]
Violation of this Chapter 90 constitutes a breach of the peace.
