II. Offenses Against the Person
Chapter 9.10
COERCIVE SOLICITATION
Sections:
9.10.030 Coercive solicitation prohibited.
9.10.040 Place of solicitation.
9.10.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to regulate and punish acts of coercive and/or aggressive solicitation, also known as begging, and acts of solicitation or begging that occur at locations or under circumstances specified herein which create an enhanced sense of fear or intimidation in the person being solicited, or pose risk to traffic and public safety. (Ord. 1175 § 1, 2016).
9.10.020 Definitions.
The following terms are defined as follows:
A. “Solicitation” for the purposes of this chapter means asking, begging, requesting, or pleading made in person, orally or in a written or printed manner, directed to another person, requesting an immediate donation of money, items, or service of value, or the purchase of an item or service for an amount far exceeding its value, under circumstances where a reasonable person would understand that the purchase is in substance a donation.
B. “Coercive solicitation” means to do any of the following with intent:
1. To approach, speak or gesture to a person in such a manner as would cause a reasonable person to believe that the person is being threatened with a commission of a criminal act upon the person, another person or property in any person’s possession, or to persist in any such act;
2. To approach within one foot of a person for the purpose of making a solicitation without obtaining said person’s initial consent;
3. To willfully and intentionally block the passage of a person, pedestrian traffic, a vehicle or vehicular traffic while making a solicitation;
4. To engage in conduct that would reasonably be construed as intended to compel or force a person being solicited to accede to demands; or
5. To make any false or misleading representation in the course of making a solicitation. (Ord. 1175 § 1, 2016).
9.10.030 Coercive solicitation prohibited.
It shall be unlawful for a person to engage in coercive solicitation. (Ord. 1175 § 1, 2016).
9.10.040 Place of solicitation.
A. It shall be unlawful to solicit at the following places:
1. On-ramp or off-ramp to state route or interstate highway.
2. Within 300 feet of the following intersections:
a. Snoqualmie Parkway and:
i. SE 99th St;
ii. SE 96th St;
iii. SE Jacobia St;
iv. SE Swenson Dr;
v. SE Douglas St;
vi. SE Center St;
vii. Fairway Ave SE;
viii. Fisher Ave SE;
ix. Orchard Ave SE;
x. Allman Ave SE;
xi. Better Way Loop SE;
xii. Railroad Ave SE.
B. It shall be unlawful for a person to sell, or offer for immediate sale, goods, services or publications, or to distribute items without remuneration, to a person in a vehicle, at the following:
1. On-ramp or off-ramp to state route or interstate highway; or
2. Within 300 feet of the street intersections set forth in subsection (A)(2) of this section. (Ord. 1175 § 1, 2016).
9.10.050 Penalties.
Violation of any section of this chapter shall be a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 90 days. (Ord. 1175 § 1, 2016).