Shreveport, LA Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)

Section 50-166 defines 'ask, beg, panhandle and solicit' broadly to include spoken, written or printed appeals for alms, and it defines 'accosting' as approaching or speaking to someone in a manner that would make a reasonable person fear imminent bodily harm or a crime against their person or property. Subsection (b) lists eight specific places and situations where solicitation is unlawful regardless of manner: on private property once the owner or occupant has objected or posted a no-solicitation sign; within 15 feet of a public restroom entrance, an ATM (or ATM facility entrance), a pay telephone, a bus stop or taxi stand, or a building entrance or exit; inside any public transportation vehicle, bus or subway station; and from the operator of a vehicle in traffic, except for emergency repairs the driver requested.

Subsection (c) separately bans two forms of aggressive conduct regardless of location: accosting another person, and 'forcing oneself upon the company of another,' defined as continuing to ask for money after a negative response, blocking someone's path, or otherwise acting to compel compliance. Subsection (d) exempts organizations holding a city charitable-solicitation permit under Chapter 42, Article X. The ordinance dates to Ord. No. 189, 2004, adopted November 30, 2004, and sits in Chapter 50's offenses-against-public-order article alongside public drunkenness and disorderly conduct.