Chapter 9.16
PEDESTRIAN INTERFERENCE
Sections:
9.16.010 Offenses designated.
A person is guilty of pedestrian interference if, in a public place, he or she intentionally:
A. Obstructs pedestrian or vehicular traffic; or
B. Aggressively begs.
(Ord. 1454-996 (part), 1996)
9.16.020 Definitions.
The following definitions apply in this section:
“Aggressively begs” means to beg and to engage in conduct that would likely intimidate a reasonable person, including touching, following, persistently begging after being refused, using violent or threatening language or gestures, or taking similar actions for the purpose of inducing another person into giving money or goods.
“Beg or begs” means to ask for money or goods as a charity or in an express or implied exchange for services, whether by words, bodily gestures, signs or other means.
“Obstruct pedestrian traffic or vehicular traffic” means to walk, stand, sit lie, grasp a person, or place an object in such 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 as an exercise of ones constitutional right to picket or legally protest shall not constitute obstruction of pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
“Public place” means an area generally visible to public view and includes alleys, bridges, buildings, driveways, parking lots, parks, plazas, sidewalks, and streets open to the general public including places that serve food or drink or prove entertainment, in the doorways and entrances to the buildings or dwellings and the ground enclosing them. (Ord. 1454-996 (part), 1996)
9.16.030 Penalties.
Violation of this ordinance shall be a misdemeanor and shall be a fine up to one thousand dollars and/or up to ninety days in jail. (Ord. 1454-996 (part), 1996)