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Aggressive or intrusive solicitation typically includes approaching or following <br />pedestrians, the use of abusive language, unwanted physical contact, or the intentional <br />blocking of pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Aggressive or intrusive solicitation can <br />contribute to the loss of access to, and enjoyment of, places open to the public, and <br />can create an enhanced sense of fear, intimidation, and disorder. <br />Solicitation from people in places where they are a "captive audience" because it is <br />difficult or impossible for them to exercise their own right to decline to listen to or avoid <br />solicitation from others, presents a risk to the health, safety, and welfare of the public. <br />The presence of individuals who solicit money from persons at or near banks or <br />automated teller machines can be intimidating or threatening. Such activity often <br />carries with it an implicit threat to both person and property. Other "captive audience" <br />locations include public transportation vehicles, their designated locations for stops, <br />outdoor dining areas, and gasoline stations. Restricting solicitation in such places will <br />provide a balance between the rights of solicitors and the rights of persons who wish to <br />decline or avoid such solicitations and will help to diminish or avoid the threat of <br />violence in such unwarranted and unavoidable confrontations. <br />Solicitation in the public roadway is unsafe and hazardous for solicitors, drivers, <br />pedestrians, and the general public due to the increased risk of drivers becoming <br />distracted from their primary duty to watch traffic, which may result in automobile <br />accidents, congestion, blockage of streets, and delay and obstruction of the free flow of <br />travel, all of which constitute substantial traffic safety problems. <br />The practice of solicitation near driveways accessing shopping centers, retail <br />establishments, and business establishments is unsafe and hazardous for solicitors, <br />drivers, pedestrians, and the general public. The location of a solicitor near a driveway <br />compromises a solicitor's safety, impedes visibility, and impairs a driver's ability to <br />safely enter and exit. Drivers also become distracted from their duty to watch traffic, <br />which may result in automobile accidents, congestion, blockage of streets, and delay <br />and obstruction of the free flow of travel, all of which constitute substantial traffic safety <br />problems. <br />Sec. 10-701. Definitions. <br />As used in this article: <br />(a) "Aggressive" means any of the following types of conduct: <br />(1) Conduct intended or likely to cause a reasonable person to fear <br />bodily harm to oneself or to another, to fear damage to or loss of <br />property, or otherwise to be intimidated into giving money or any <br />other thing of value; <br />Ordinance No. NS -2945 <br />Page 4 of 9 <br />