Casper, WY Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)

Chapter 9.18, enacted by Ordinance No. 21-18 in December 2018, opens with council findings in § 9.18.010 distinguishing protected passive solicitation, such as a vocal request, a sign, or ringing a bell, from "aggressive and intrusive solicitation" that threatens security, privacy and freedom of movement. Section 9.18.020(A) defines "aggressive begging, panhandling, or solicitation" to include confronting someone in a way that would make a reasonable person fear bodily harm, touching someone without consent, using obscene or abusive language while soliciting, continuing to solicit after a negative response, blocking a person's path, or otherwise intimidating someone into giving money.

Section 9.18.040 flatly states: "No person shall engage in aggressive panhandling, begging, charitable or political solicitation as defined in subsections 9.18.02A, B, C and D of this chapter at anytime, anywhere in this jurisdiction." Passive solicitation is treated differently: § 9.18.030 protects it as First Amendment speech generally, but §§ 9.18.050 and 9.18.060 layer additional bans on both aggressive and passive solicitation inside defined "areas with heightened personal security concerns" (within twenty feet of a parking garage at night, a bus stop, or building entrances), "heightened privacy concerns" (within twenty feet of an ATM or an open sidewalk cafe), and "heightened public safety concerns" (named high-traffic arterials like 1st, 2nd, 12th, 13th and 15th Streets, CY Avenue, Center Street and Interstate 25, plus narrow traffic medians).

Section 9.18.070 sets the penalty for the whole chapter directly rather than deferring to Chapter 1.28: a fine of not more than $750, jail of not more than six months, or both.