Brookhaven, GA Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)

Sec. 18-73 regulates begging and soliciting alms by accosting or forcing oneself upon the company of another. Subsection (a) supplies the definitions. Accosting means approaching or speaking to someone in a manner that would cause a reasonable person to fear imminent bodily harm or the commission of a criminal act upon his person or upon the property in his immediate possession. Forcing oneself upon the company of another means continuing to request, beg or solicit alms after the person has made a negative response, blocking the passage of the individual addressed, or otherwise engaging in conduct that could reasonably be construed as intended to compel or force a person to accede to demands.

Subsection (b) sets the baseline: except when done in the manner described in subsection (d) or in the locations in subsection (c), it is not unlawful to ask, beg or solicit money or other things of value. Subsection (c) lists eight locations. Solicitation is unlawful on private property where the owner, tenant or lawful occupant has asked the person not to solicit or has posted a sign; within 15 feet of the entrance or exit of a public toilet facility, an automatic teller machine facility or a pay telephone; in any public transportation vehicle or bus or subway station, or within 15 feet of a bus stop or taxi stand; from any operator of a motor vehicle in traffic on a public street; from persons waiting in line for entry to any building; and within 15 feet of the entrance or exit of any building.

The motor vehicle rule has one carve-out: representatives of a tax exempt organization can obtain alms without accosting or forcing themselves on anyone under a police department permit that does not exceed 12 hours in any one day and is not issued to any organization more than once per month. Subsection (d) makes accosting and forcing oneself upon another unlawful anywhere. Subsection (e) lets the victim, and any witness including police officers, security officers, hotel personnel and bystanders, press charges, and evidence can include witness testimony and videotape.