The 91大黄鸭 RCMP鈥檚 municipal traffic section and 91大黄鸭 city bylaw enforcement officers are teaming to crack down on what they call 鈥渁ggressive roadside panhandling.鈥�

The police plan to conduct a co-ordinated enforcement campaign to address the issue, particularly panhandlers who stand on road medians at intersections and ask driver waiting in traffic at stop lights for money.

91大黄鸭 RCMP Const. Jesse O鈥橠onaghey said the practice is not only dangerous, it is also illegal and is a distraction to motorists. Intersection panhandling flared up along the Highway 97 corridor in the last 18 months. Starting this week, O鈥橠onaghey said the public will see RCMP and city bylaw officers targeting panhandlers who stand at intersections.

O鈥橠onaghey said during their interactions with panhandlers鈥攁lthough typically short鈥攎otorists often create unnecessary delays to normal traffic flows, which can be frustrating to other motorists.

鈥淥ftentimes motorists feel intimidated by these individuals and feel pressured into donating for fear of damage to their vehicles,鈥� he said.

Local officials ask the public not to feel compelled to donate to panhandlers, and say donations would be better given to support social service agencies throughout the community.

The issue of intersection panhandling was raised last year during a 91大黄鸭 city council meeting by Coun. Luke Stack. But he said the response he received at the time was tepid. 鈥淚 was told the police had bigger issues to deal with,鈥� he said.

But he said he was pleased and surprised to hear about the new campaign.

Stack said while he has noticed the practice growing around the city, especially at busy intersections like Cooper Road and the Highway 97 and Dilworth Drive and Highway 97, he has not found the panhandlers to be aggressive. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just dangerous,鈥� said Stack.

While the city does has a bylaw making it illegal to panhandle close to banks and bank machines and its bylaw officers can also stop people from blocking sidewalks and road ways, there are not specific city bylaws about intersection panhandling. There are, however, provincial laws.

O鈥橠onaghey said the multiple enforcement options are available through the B.C. Motor Vehicle Act and the Safe Streets Act. The Motor Vehicle Act prohibits soliciting vehicles roadside, as well as soliciting in an aggressive manner and carries a minimum fine amount of $109. The Safe Streets Act prohibits soliciting a person in a vehicle, and carries a fine of $86.

鈥淚 think there is a general concern about this,鈥� said city manager Ron Mattiussi, adding he has noticed more panhandlers around city hall of late and they are more aggressive in asking for money.

He said in light of that, the city has increased security patrols at the nearby Queensway bus loop.