A Committee of the Whole meeting was held on July 14, providing the St. Louis County Council a forum to solely discuss District 6 Councilman Mike Archer’s bill on regulating “aggressive solicitation.” Aside from conversation, no further action was taken; Archer shared with The Call that this legislation will remain held on the council’s agenda until after the primary election.
Archer’s bill was introduced to the council on June 9, though the topic has long been one of discussion. In 2023, Archer’s predecessor, former District 6 Councilman Ernie Trakas, introduced a bill that banned standing on a county street or median. The bill was passed by the council, but it was later vetoed by County Executive Sam Page.
Archer’s revival of the effort was partially inspired by his time knocking on doors while campaigning for his county council seat in 2024, as well as the increasing number of dangerous incidents involving solicitors getting injured by oncoming traffic, particularly in the dark. The interchange at Bayless and Interstate 55 has continually been brought up.
The recent Committee of the Whole meeting began with Archer sharing pedestrian fatalities across St. Louis County. Though down two fatalities from the year prior, 2025 saw 34 pedestrians killed. It was also shared that the deadliest corridor in St. Louis County for pedestrians is the US 61-67 corridor, running from North to South County.
“(This bill) does not prohibit people from standing on the sidewalk or the corner saying, ‘Homeless, need money’ or ‘Vote for Pedro’ or whatever,” Archer said. “This is strictly a safety bill. One of the things that I have also discussed with some of the non-governmental organizations is the fact that this is a multi-faceted problem, and that we need some of the non-governmental organizations in terms of addressing these issues to come forward, such as mental health, veterans affairs, homelessness and substance abuse.”
Per bill language, “aggressive manner” concerning solicitation includes touching, cursing and other similar intimidating behaviors. This bill also prohibits soliciting “in any public transportation vehicle, or bus or stop,” including the entrance and exit ramps to interstate highways, as well as state or county roads. Other prohibited actions include soliciting from an operator of a motor vehicle in traffic on a public street and soliciting on private property.
If passed as written currently, soliciting would not be permitted between the hours of sunset and 9 a.m. or during inclement weather when visibility is limited. The inclement weather caveat would be enforced no matter the time of day. Soliciting within 15 feet of any entrance or exit of any bank, check-cashing business or ATM during hours of operation without the consent of the owner would also be prohibited under this bill.
While the majority of the council spoke in favor of the legislation, 5th District Councilwoman Lisa Clancy, D-Maplewood, shared that she has heard from some of her constituents who are concerned that this would “essentially criminalize poverty.” She brought up a multitude of points, including the fact that in the winter when it gets dark earlier, approximately two-thirds of the day would have restrictions around soliciting. She also questioned the “aggressive soliciting” aspect of the legislation, stating: “It’s hard to legislate around people’s feelings, so that also gives me concerns because some of that is kind of in the eye of the beholder.”
Municipalities across St. Louis County — including Brentwood, Chesterfield, Des Peres, Ellisville, Manchester and Creve Coeur — have already enacted similar legislation. Council members inquired about challenges to those pieces of legislation, to which Council Attorney Mary Elizabeth Dorsey shared recent updates from Des Peres.
“There was a municipal court case filed. The person was found guilty under the ordinance. It was appealed, and it went in favor of the city. That’s the only recent challenge I’m aware of,” Dorsey said. “The attorneys who were representing the individual in the Des Peres case admitted that they thought they were going to lose because of the way the ordinance was worded. I’m also more than happy to admit that this ordinance is a combination of many ordinances from the municipalities who have already passed similar legislation.”
As far as enforcement, if Archer’s bill passes, it would essentially only be enforceable in unincorporated St. Louis County, according to him. Each county municipality would enforce their own ordinance; if they don’t have their own ordinance on the matter, they would have to pass their own version of this legislation in order to enforce it.
State Senator Doug Beck, along with state representatives Michael Burton, Bridget Walsh Moore and Jim Murphy, were invited to the meeting, but none were present.
