Irving Strengthens Solitician, Handbill Ordinance

Updated 12:00 PM CST, Mon, Jun 29, 2009

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The City of Irving strengthened its solicitation and handbill ordinance to increase pedestrian and motorist safety, and improve traffic flow and the aesthetics of major roads. The revised regulation prohibits:

· Roadside solicitation except as allowed by state law.

· Costume/sign-holding advertisers in a roadway or on public property adjacent to a roadway.

· Aggressive solicitation, which is defined as:

· Intentionally touching or causing physical contact with another person or an occupied vehicle without the solicited person’s consent.

· Intentionally blocking, either individually or as part of a group of persons, the passage of the solicited person.

· Following closely behind, ahead or alongside a person after he/she has been solicited.

· Using violent or threatening gestures toward the solicited person.o Approaching or speaking to a person in a manner that would cause a reasonable person to believe he/she is being threatened with imminent bodily injury.

· Prohibits solicitation inside any public transportation or public restroom.

· It is unlawful to engage in solicitation within 25 feet of:
- An automated teller machine
- An entrance or exit of a bank, credit union or other similar financial institution
- A pay telephone located outdoors or on the exterior of a structure
- A self-service car wash
- A self-service fuel pump
- A public transportation stop
- An outdoor dining area of a restaurant, cafe or cafeteria

· Distribution of handbills/fliers on any vehicle without consent.

The adoption of the improved ordinance will help residents who feel “uncomfortable or threatened by unwanted solicitation” to “have the law on their side,” said Assistant Police Chief Terry Zettle. “This is another element being implemented to ensure a safe and secure city.” For more information, call the Irving Police Department at (972) 721-2518