OPP, North Bay police try to curb roadside panhandling through education campaign

Campaign takes aim at roadside soliciting Police in North Bay are working to educate the public on the dangers of giving money to people on the highway.

Ontario Provincial Police are working with the Crisis Centre North Bay and city police on a new campaign to educate drivers and low-income people on the dangers of roadside soliciting, otherwise known as panhandling.

Oftentimes, at busy Highway 11 or Highway 17 intersections, vulnerable people will stand in the median and ask people in cars for money. This can be very dangerous.

Even with the best intentions, stopping to give money can cause distractions and police say even a second of inattention behind the wheel can lead to a crash.

"The more that we have persons on the highways, the streets, the roadways, the intersections, we're going to have risks for collisions and risk for distracted driving," said OPP Const. Renee Taylor.

It’s a growing problem for police officers.

"We’ve seen soliciting and people even taking shifts doing it at the same intersection," said North Bay Police Const. Douglas MacIntosh.

Police are taking a new approach to try and curb the practice. Officers are educating the public about the Safe Streets Act and are encouraging people to donate to local charities and shelters that work with the vulnerable population -- like the Four Elms Emergency Shelter or low-barrier shelter -- instead of giving at the roadside.

"We’re looking at the total picture and trying to find ways, as a community, to resolve safety issues and provide support," Taylor said.

Under Ontario’s Safe Streets Act, panhandling near roads or intersections can lead to fines. But most importantly, police say the 25-year-old law exists to keep drivers, solicitors and pedestrians safe.

"Rather than punish people by giving them a $65 ticket, we’re trying to overall change the behaviour," Macintosh said.

Instead of taking a strict enforcement approach, officers want to strike a balance with the needs of vulnerable people while ensuring the safety of all residents through education.

"We will be at various intersections and areas where we are seeing increased solicitation. We are going to be handing out these information fliers," Taylor said, holding up two fliers.

The fliers offer tips on how drivers can help low-income people but through other means.

Recently, officials were at the Northgate Shopping Centre Mall speaking to public about the campaign and the dangers of panhandling.