6149-97
ORDINANCE NO. 6149-97
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CLEARWATER,
FLORIDA, CREATING A NEW SECTION 21.17 RELATING
TO BEGGING BY INTIMIDATION; PROVIDING FOR
DEFINITIONS; PROHIBITING BEGGING WITH THE INTENT
TO INTIMIDATE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Clearwater City Commission finds that individuals begging for
money while engaged in conduct intended to intimidate persons into acceding to the
beggar's demands is adverse to the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the City;
WHEREAS, the ordinance is not intended to infringe upon any person's right to
Constitutionally protected free speech, but is intended to prohibit conduct that would
cause a. reasonable person to be fearful of imminent harm to his or her person or
property; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA:
Section 1. Section 21.17, Code of Ordinances, is created to read as follows:
Sec. 21.17. To beg by intimidation.
f tAlp
(1) Definitions.
(a) Beg means to ask, solicit, or plead, whether orally or in a written or printed
manner, for the purpose of receiving money, goods or gifts of items of value for one's self
or another person.
(b) Intimidate means to engage in conduct toward a person in such a manner
as would cause a reasonable person to be fearful of imminent harm to his or her person
or property.
(2) It shall be unlawful for any person to beg with the intent to intimidate.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
ii Ordinance 6149-97
PASSED ON FIRST READING August 7, 1997
PASSED ON SECOND AND FINAL August 21,_1997
READING AND ADOPTED
Rita Garvey, Mayor-Com sioner
Approved as to form: Attest:
#ti '
Robert J. rette Cyn 'a E. Goudeau, City Clerk
Assistant ty Attorney
Ordinance 6149-97