Whittier Municipal Code Ch. 9.60 Aggressive Solicitation

A. "Aggressive manner" is defined as follows:

1. Approaching, speaking to, or following a person in a manner as would cause a reasonable person to fear bodily harm or the commission of a criminal act upon the person, or upon property in the person's immediate possession; or

2. Touching another person without such person's consent in the course of soliciting; or

3. Continuing to solicit from a person after such person has made a negative response or otherwise indicated a desire not to contribute; or

4. Intentionally blocking or interfering with the safe or free passage of the person solicited by any means, including causing such person to take evasive action to avoid physical contact or preventing such person from departing the location of the solicitation; or

5. Intentionally following the person solicited, without such person's consent, for the purpose of continuing to solicit after such person has made a negative response or indicated a desire not to contribute; or

6. Making any statement, gesture, or other communication which a reasonable person in the situation of the person solicited would perceive to be a threat of bodily harm; or

7. Rendering any service to a motor vehicle, including but not limited to cleaning, washing, protecting, guarding or repairing of said vehicle or any portion thereof, without the prior consent of the owner, operator or occupant of such vehicle, and thereafter soliciting payment for the performance of such service, regardless of whether such vehicle is stopped, standing or parked on a public street or upon other public or private property; or

8. Intentionally blocking, preventing, impeding or interfering with the free and unobstructed ability of the person solicited to enter into or emerge from any vehicle during the course of soliciting, or following a negative response by the person solicited to any such solicitation; or

9. Intentionally blocking, preventing, impeding or interfering with the operation or movement of any vehicle operated or occupied by the person solicited, during the course of soliciting, or following a negative response by the person solicited to any such solicitation.

B. "Solicitation" includes, but is not limited to, asking or begging by means of the spoken, written, or printed word or such other act, conducted for the purposes of obtaining an immediate donation of money or thing of value, signature or endorsement whether for personal use or as a charitable contribution to any individual or organization, or for any other purpose.

(Ord. No. 2959, § 1, 11-9-10)

No person shall solicit any other person in an aggressive manner in any place open to the general public, whether publicly or privately owned, including but not limited to any sidewalks, streets, alleys, driveways, parking lots, parks, plazas, buildings, doorways and entrances to buildings, gasoline service stations, and the grounds around or enclosed by buildings.

(Ord. No. 2959, § 1, 11-9-10)

This chapter is not intended to restrict the exercise of protected free speech.

(Ord. No. 2959, § 1, 11-9-10)