Bristol, CT Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)

Bristol defines "aggressive manner" panhandling in Sec. 15-7 to include approaching, speaking to or following someone in a way that would make a reasonable person fear bodily harm; touching another person without consent while asking for alms; continuing to ask after a negative response; following the person solicited; blocking or interfering with safe passage of a pedestrian or vehicle; or directing abusive or profane language at the person solicited. The same section separately defines "false or misleading manner" to cover claiming a fabricated specific need, falsely claiming to be stranded out-of-towners, wearing a fake disability indicator or military uniform, simulating a deformity, or falsely claiming to be homeless.

Sec. 15-8 then sets four prohibited-conduct rules: no aggressive-manner solicitation anywhere open to the public; no false-or-misleading solicitation; no solicitation on any public transportation vehicle or within twenty-five feet of a bus stop; and no soliciting a driver or occupant of a vehicle in traffic without the police chief's prior approval. Enforcement under Sec. 15-9 requires an officer to first advise the person of the prohibited conduct and order them to stop, giving them a chance to comply; only continued violation after that warning is citable, at a flat $90 fine under Sec.

15-9(c), enforced through the Chapter 23 citation procedure. Sec. 15-10 carves out passive sign displays asking for donations, without a vocal request, as long as they do not block sidewalks or streets, and Sec. 15-11 preserves constitutionally protected speech.