ORD 15-802 - Relating to Interference with Pedestrian and Vehicular TrafficORDINANCE NO. 15 -802
AN ORDINANCE of the City of Federal Way, Washington, relating
to interference with pedestrian and vehicular traffic; amending
FWRC 6.35.030. (Amending Ordinance Nos. 15 -784, 11 -697, 08 -576,
05 -509, 94 -214, and 91 -89.)
WHEREAS, begging in a manner that intimidates citizens or interferes with the safe and
free travel of pedestrian and vehicular traffic remains an issue of concern in the City of Federal
Way; and
WHEREAS, FWRC 6.35.030 has been updated from time to time to remain consistent
with current case law as it has evolved; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of Federal Way finds it is in the best interests of the
citizens to update FWRC 6.35.030 to increase the distance from an ATM that one may beg;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FEDERAL WAY,
WASHINGTON, DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. FWRC 6.35.030 is hereby amended to read as follows:
6.35.030 Pedestrian interference.
(1) The following definitions apply to this section:
(a) "Aggressively beg" means to beg with the intent to intimidate another person into
giving money or goods.
(b) "Beg" means to ask for money or goods as a charity, whether by words, bodily
gestures, signs, or other means.
(c) "Obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic" means:
(i) Walking, standing, sitting, lying, or placing an object in such a manner as to
block passage by another person or a vehicle that requires a pedestrian or vehicle
operator to take evasive action to avoid contact; or
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(ii) Loitering on the roadway or on a median between lanes of travel in order to
beg from the occupants of vehicles traveling on the roadway.
(d) "Roadway" has the meaning given that term in RCW 46.04.500 as currently adopted
or as it may be amended in the future.
(e) "Intimidate" means to engage in words or conduct which would likely make a
reasonable person fearful or feel compelled to give money to a person. Evidence of
intimidation includes, but is not limited to:
(i) Persisting in soliciting after a refusal;
(ii) Following or approaching a person after the person has refused;
(iii) Using violent or threatening gestures while begging;
(iv) Using profane, offensive, or abusive language that is likely to intimidate or
provoke a violent reaction from a reasonable person;
(v) Intentionally touching or causing physical contact with another person without
that person's consent while begging; or
(vi) Begging within 45 25 feet of an automated teller machine (ATM).
(f) "Public place" means an area generally visible to public view and includes alleys,
bridges, buildings, driveways, parking lots, parks, plazas, sidewalks and streets open to
the general public, including those that serve food or drink or provide entertainment, and
the doorways and entrances to buildings or dwellings and the grounds enclosing them.
(2) A person is guilty of pedestrian interference if, in a public place, he or she intentionally:
(a) Aggressively begs; or
(b) Obstructs pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
(3) A person violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Section 2. Severability. Should any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, or
phrase of this chapter, or its application to any person or situation, be declared unconstitutional
or invalid for any reason, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of
this chapter or its application to any other person or situation. The City Council of the City of
Ordinance No. 15 -802 Page 2 of 4
Federal Way hereby declares that it would have adopted this chapter and each section,
subsection, sentence, clauses, phrase, or portion thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or
more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses, phrases, or portions be declared invalid or
unconstitutional.
Section 3. Corrections. The City Clerk and the codifiers of this ordinance are authorized
to make necessary corrections to this ordinance including, but not limited to, the correction of
scrivener /clerical errors, references, ordinance numbering, section/subsection numbers and any
references thereto.
Section 4. Ratification. Any act consistent with the authority and prior to the effective
date of this ordinance is hereby ratified and affirmed.
Section 5. Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty (30)
days from and after its passage and publication, as provided by law.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Federal Way this 6th day of October, 2015.
ATTEST:
LERK, STEPHANIE
EY, CMC
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
'TYA U
Y, AMY JO PEARSALL
Ordinance No. 15 -802
Page 3 of 4
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: 09/12/2015
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: 10/06/2015
PUBLISHED: 10/09/2015
EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/08/2015
ORDINANCE NO.: 15 -802
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