Acworth, GA Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)

Acworth Code of Ordinances § 54-5 starts from a default that asking, begging or soliciting money is not itself unlawful, but carves out two categories of conduct that are. First, "manner" violations under subsection (d): soliciting "by accosting another," defined as approaching or speaking to someone in a way that would cause a reasonable person to fear imminent bodily harm or a criminal act against their person or nearby property, or "by forcing oneself upon the company of another," defined as continuing to request alms after a negative response, blocking a person's passage, or otherwise compelling someone to accede to demands.

Second, "location" violations under subsection (c) bar soliciting money anywhere on private property after the owner or occupant has objected or posted a no-soliciting sign, and within 15 feet of a public toilet entrance, an ATM or ATM facility entrance, a pay telephone or telephone booth, a bus stop or taxi stand, inside a transit vehicle or station, from a driver in traffic, from anyone waiting in a line for building entry, or within 15 feet of any building entrance or exit, public or private.

Subsection (e) allows any witness, including police officers and bystanders, not only the direct target, to support a prosecution, and permits testimony or video evidence to prove a violation. The section was enacted by Ordinance No. 2005-01 on January 20, 2005, replacing a prior § 54-5 that traced to Code 1983 § 13-9, and was last carried forward by Ordinance No. 2021-16 in 2021. 00, imprisonment up to six months, or city labor up to 60 days, with each day of continued conduct a separate offense, prosecuted in Acworth Municipal Court.