Penalty is a fine of $2,000 and/or up to 30 days of community service
By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
If you are going to panhandle and ask for money, you better find another place to do it — that’s the message from Lawrence Township officials.
In response to citizens’ complaints that they were being approached by panhandlers in an “aggressive” manner — being followed by the panhandler or otherwise intimidated into handing over some money — Township Council signed off on an ordinance that would ban the practice.
Municipal Manager Richard Krawczun was quick to point out that the new ordinance does not affect individuals, groups, sports organizations, military organizations, religious groups or other organizations that apply for permission to raise money for their groups.
”It does not affect soccer or Little League team solicitations. They are going to ask for money at certain times, and that’s fine,” Mr. Krawczun said. That’s because they will have applied to the Municipal Clerk’s Office for a permit and received it.
But panhandlers do not seek permits, and the goal of the ordinance is to protect residents and visitors from them, he said. Occasionally, panhandlers have approached citizens outside stores or in multi-family developments to ask for a hand-out.
The ordinance was suggested by the Lawrence Township Police Department, which has received calls from residents about panhandlers, Mr. Krawczun said. The Police Department recommended a panhandling ordinance because it would be “one way to deter that type of activity,” he said.
”It would strengthen the Police Department’s ability to have some of them (panhandlers) cease this activity,” Mr. Krawczun said. Police officers will enforce the ordinance, but complaints can be brought against violators by citizens, also.
The ordinance defines panhandling as “asking for money or objects of value, with the intention that the money or object be transferred at that time and at the place.” The purpose of panhandling is to “obtain an immediate donation of money or other thing of value.”
It also defines “aggressive manner” as approaching or speaking to a person before, during or after panhandling if that conduct is likely to make that person feel intimidated into giving money. It also applies to panhandlers who approach a car that is stopped in the roadway and who knock on the car window or reach inside the car.
Aggressive panhandling also involves continuing to ask for money after the person has said no, as well as coming into physical contact with a person without that person’s consent while panhandling.
Using profane, abusive or offensive language, as well as using violent or threatening gestures, also constitutes “aggressive panhandling.”
Blocking or interfering with a pedestrian’s or motorist’s ability to walk or drive safely, forcing them to take evasive action to avoid physical contact, also is considered to be aggressive panhandling, according to the ordinance.
Panhandling is banned in public places, which the ordinance defines as “streets, highways, parking lots, transportation facilities, shopping centers, schools, and any place of amusement, park or playground.”
The penalty for aggressive panhandling is a maximum fine of $2,000 and/or up to 30 days of community service for the first offense.
If someone is convicted of panhandling again within one year of the initial violation, the fine is a maximum of $2,000 and/or up to 60 days of community service.

