Bridgeport, CT Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)

035 works in layers. The first regulates how a person asks. The code gives "aggressive manner" a specific definition in parts (a), (b), and (c): approaching, speaking to, or following a person in a manner that would cause a reasonable person to fear bodily harm or the commission of a criminal act against them or against property in their immediate possession; touching another person without that person's consent in the course of asking for alms; and continuing to ask, beg, or solicit alms after the person has made a negative response.

Under that definition, a stationary request that ends at the first refusal is not aggressive, while trailing someone who has already said no, or grabbing a sleeve while asking, is. The second layer regulates where and to whom the ask happens, and it applies no matter how polite the approach: begging is flatly barred within 25 feet of any bus or train stop or ATM, barred when directed at occupants of vehicles in traffic, barred when tied to holding a parking space or washing a car, and barred on private property unless the owner has given permission. Enforcement is deliberately graduated. 035.