Panhandle

In Federated, Justice Taylor adopted this definition of panhandling:

"... to beg for money in the street."

The City of Orlando, Florida, Code of Ordinances, §43-86:

"Panhandling is any solicitation made in person, requesting an immediate donation of money or other thing of value. Purchase of an item for an amount far exceeding its value, under circumstances where a reasonable person would understand that the purchase is, in substance, a donation, is a donation for the purpose of this section. Except as specifically provided in this section, panhandling does not include passively standing or sitting with a sign or other indication that one is seeking donations, without addressing any solicitation to any specific person other than in response to an inquiry by that person."

A City of Vancouver By-law (#7885) since repealed, had defined panhandling as:

"Panhandle means to beg for or, without consideration, ask for money, donations, goods or other things of value whether by spoken, written or printed word or bodily gesture for one's self or for any other person but does not include soliciting for charity by the holder of a license for soliciting for charity"

By-law 3M99 of the City of Calgary, Alberta:

"Panhandling means the personal, verbal and direct solicitation by a person of gratuitous donations of money, food or goods of any kind from any member of the public, but does not include a solicitation allowed or authorized pursuant to the Charitable Fund-raising Act."

REFERENCES:

• Duhaime, Lloyd, Criminal Law Dictionary
• Duhaime, Lloyd, Legal Definition of Vagrancy
• Federated Anti-Poverty Groups of BC v City of Vancouver 2002 BCSC 105; also at 40 Admin. L.R. 3d 159; 28 MPLR 3d 165; 111 ACWS 3d 1193 and at 2002 BCJ 493