[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Exeter 8-12-2019 by Ord. No. 825. Amendments noted where applicable.]
For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below:
PANHANDLER
An individual engaged in the act of panhandling.
PANHANDLING
Any personal solicitation made in a public place for a donation of money or any other item of value, regardless of whether the donation is intended for the panhandler's own personal use or made on behalf of another individual, a religious group, or a community service organization.
A. 
PASSIVE PANHANDLINGPassively engaging in panhandling by standing or sitting with a sign or otherwise indicating that donations are sought without verbally or physically approaching and/or initiating any solicitation requests. By way of example only, soliciting monetary donations for a nonprofit organization by carrying or holding signs would constitute passive panhandling.
B. 
AGGRESSIVE PANHANDLING
(1) 
Following behind, ahead or alongside a person for more than 25 feet in the course of engaging in panhandling behavior;
(2) 
Continuing to direct panhandling behavior toward a specific individual after such individual has provided a negative response to the panhandler, whether verbally or nonverbally, including, but not limited to, walking away from the panhandler;
(3) 
Intentionally or recklessly touching or causing nonconsensual physical contact while engaging in panhandling behavior;
(4) 
Intentionally blocking or interfering with the safe or free passage of a person or vehicle while engaging in panhandling behavior, including, but not limited to, unreasonably causing a person or vehicle operator to take evasive action to avoid physical contact;
(5) 
Using profane or abusive language, speaking in an unreasonably loud volume, or making any statement or gestures that would cause a reasonable person to be fearful, while engaging in panhandling behavior or following a refusal to the panhandler; and/or
(6) 
Engaging in panhandling behavior with an individual who is waiting to enter a building.
PUBLIC AREA
An area open for use by the general public, including, but not limited to alleys, bridges, buildings, driveways, parking lots, parks, plazas, sidewalks, and streets open to the general public, and the doorways and entrances to buildings and dwellings, and the grounds enclosing them.
A. 
Panhandling shall be permitted in Public Areas between sunrise and sunset as long as it does not violate the restrictions set forth in § 280-3 ("Prohibited conduct").
B. 
Passive panhandling shall not be subject to the time restrictions set forth in § 280-2A as long as such behavior does not violate the restrictions set forth in § 280-3 ("Prohibited conduct").
The following conduct is prohibited at all times:
A. 
Panhandling on private or residential property without the express permission from the owner or lawful occupant of such property.
B. 
Aggressive panhandling.
C. 
Panhandling within 25 feet of an automated teller machine, including within 25 feet of an entrance or exit to a building containing an automated teller machine.
D. 
Panhandling in any manner that blocks, obstructs, or interferes with the orderly flow of vehicles or pedestrians.
E. 
Panhandling in any manner that causes a pedestrian or vehicle operator to take evasive action to avoid physical contact.
F. 
Panhandling in any manner that violates traffic regulations for pedestrians or vehicles.
G. 
Panhandling, other than passive panhandling, between sunset and sunrise.
This chapter shall be enforced by the Exeter Township Police Department.
A. 
A panhandler's first violation shall result in a verbal warning.
B. 
Subsequent violations shall result in an action brought before a Magisterial District Judge in the manner provided for the enforcement of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure and, upon conviction thereof, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $1,000 plus costs and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 90 days.