New Brunswick, NJ Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)

In the City of New Brunswick, New Jersey, Section 9.04.060 regulates begging, panhandling and soliciting by targeting the manner of the request, not the request itself. Subsection A records the City Council's findings: the city has a duty to protect First Amendment rights, the section is not intended to limit anyone from exercising the constitutional right to solicit funds, picket or protest, and the restrictions are meant to be narrowly tailored time, place and manner rules. The council was adopted by Ordinance O-051503 on May 20, 2015.

Subsection C defines an aggressive manner through eleven items. They include approaching or following a person in a way that is intended or likely to cause a reasonable person to fear bodily harm or loss of property, continuing to solicit after a negative response or after being ignored, intentionally touching another person or property without consent, intentionally blocking the safe or free passage of a pedestrian or vehicle, using violent or threatening language or gestures, soliciting anyone who is stationary such as waiting in line for tickets, and begging in a group of two or more persons in an intimidating fashion.

Two items work as fixed location and time rules. Item 10 prohibits soliciting any person within twenty-five (25) feet of the entrance to, or parking area of, any bank, automated teller machine or ATM facility, check cashing business, mass transportation facility or stop, public restroom, pay telephone, theatre or place of public assembly, or of any outdoor seating area of any cafe, restaurant or other business. Item 11 prohibits soliciting any person in public after dark, defined as the time from one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise.

The definitions of begging and soliciting cover asking for money or objects of value with the intention that the transfer happen at that time and place, using spoken, written or printed words, gestures or signs, and they include an offer to immediately exchange or sell goods or services.

Subsection D gives a police officer who observes a violation the power to request or order the person to cease and desist and to issue a summons if the person fails to comply. Subsection E sets the penalty.