Bath Township Can Now Regulate Panhandlers

Panhandlers in Summit County will have to follow new rules following a push by Bath Township for better regulations.

Summit County Council voted this week to impose regulations on people who solicit money from passing motorists and shoppers in the county's nine townships.

They won't be able to stand at certain locations, will have to stay 25 feet back from the street, and can't solicit in an aggressive manner.

The legislation was spearheaded by Bath Township, which saw an increase in panhandlers on its street corners after Fairlawn passed strict regulations in 2012.

"We'd gotten a number of calls from residents concerned about safety issues," Township Administrator Vito Sinopoli said. "We looked to see how we could address the issues."

He met with Summit County Council officials, as well as representatives from other townships, to introduce regulations that were more "workable and reasonable" than a measure discussed — and abandoned — by the council last year.

That legislation would have required panhandlers to register with the county and wear traffic vests while soliciting.

"I think we came up with some workable regulations that impose reasonable restrictions on panhandling," Sinopoli said.

The newly approved measure will keep panhandlers 25 feet from intersections or crosswalks, bus stops, ATMs, outdoor restaurants, and entrances to shopping plazas, churches, schools, libraries and gas stations.

It also prohibits "aggressive" panhandling, which includes following someone or blocking his path, and also begging in groups of two or more.

Sinopoli said Bath police officers will issue warnings to panhandlers for awhile to make sure they're aware of the new law before enforcing it.

"There will be an education period," he said.

Violating the 25-foot setback will be a minor misdemeanor, similar to a traffic citation. A panhandler caught being aggressive will face a fourth-degree misdemeanor, which carries a fine up to $250 and up to 30 days in jail.

The law approved by Fairlawn last year requires panhandlers to register with the city and wear identification tags.