Franklin Township, PA Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)

Franklin Township's Park Rules and Regulations, Chapter 16, Part 1 (adopted by Ord. 2012-01, 4/18/2012, and amended by Ord. 2019-03, 12/18/2019), lists 26 lettered prohibitions in § 16-103 that apply to any park the township operates. Section 16-101 defines "park" broadly to include all parks, playgrounds, recreation areas, open space, recreation structures and facilities, and their entrances and approaches, whether currently or hereafter operated by the township. Subsection F of § 16-103 bans begging or soliciting outright, with no written-permission exception, unlike neighboring Subsection M, which allows offering items for sale only with the township's written permission.

This is a park-specific rule; the Code has no separate township-wide panhandling ordinance covering streets, sidewalks or private property. Enforcement runs through § 16-106: any person found guilty of violating Chapter 16, Part 1 in a summary proceeding before a Magisterial District Judge is subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 per occurrence or act, plus costs of prosecution, and imprisonment not to exceed 90 days, unless another penalty is otherwise provided by law for summary offenses. Each day a violation continues, and each separate subsection of § 16-103 found to have been violated, is treated as a separate offense subject to additional per diem fines.

Section 16-107 lets the Board of Supervisors adopt further park rules, and § 16-105 requires park users to follow directions given by a township representative, which covers on-site enforcement of the begging ban by township staff.