Ordinance to Prohibit Aggressive Panhandling

An ordinance prohibiting aggressive panhandling in Culver City will go into effect in 30 days, a city official said Wednesday.

Much like an ordinance adopted last month in Los Angeles, the Culver City law prohibits solicitors from blocking another person’s path, from following someone who has declined to make a donation and from touching or threatening people from whom a donation is being sought. The ordinance also outlaws panhandling at bus stops, public parking lots and within 50 feet of ATMs and service station pumps.

City spokeswoman Randi Joseph said the council acted to protect residents and downtown business owners who had complained about aggressive solicitations.

“This is in no way an anti-homeless policy,” Joseph said. “It’s not preventing panhandling, it’s preventing other people from not having the right to say ‘no.’ ”