Spare the change

Edmontonians are urged to donate to social agencies that help the homeless rather than give change to panhandlers, according to a city report that addresses the issue of aggressive panhandlers.

A proposed public education campaign aims to send the message that the best way to assist panhandlers is "by donating money, time and resources directly to the social agencies who are the best source to help panhandlers."

While Coun. Kim Krushell said she supports this approach, she still has a few questions about the campaign -- which is poised to include posters and "viral communications."

"We are going to see if we can get corporate sponsors to fund this campaign," Krushell said, adding it's an expansion of the 2008 pilot campaign Have a Heart Give Smart on Whyte Avenue.

The report has ruled out a voucher program, in which the public would give panhandlers or the homeless vouchers redeemable for food, clothing, shelter or transportation.

Such a system was launched in 1993 by the Edmonton Police Service and abandoned five months later when officers discovered the vouchers were being bartered in the inner-city in exchange for drugs and alcohol.

Fine options were also not recommended at this time, which directs offenders to conduct community service work, as it would require city supervision and take up city resources.

This report, which goes to the council's community services committee today, comes a year after Mayor Stephen Mandel asked for the city to crack down on aggressive panhandlers.

In the document, these individuals have been identified as those who "obstruct the passage of another person, make continued requests after receiving a negative response, insult, threaten, coerce or intimidate, make physical contact, or are intoxicated by alcohol or under the influence of illegal drugs while panhandling."

Edmonton has a group of 30 repeat offenders -- not a large number compared to other major Canadian cities, but still posing a problem for citizens who have been accosted, states the document.

Proposed amendments to the public places bylaw dealing with aggressive panhandling are expected next month.

"There are currently some things in the bylaw that allowed police to deal with aggressive panhandlers," said Coun. Ben Henderson, referring to city legislation that makes it an offence to "crowd, jostle or harass pedestrians causing discomfort, disturbance or confusion."

"But this is about giving police clarity on what they can do to stop it. We felt it would be cleaner and clearer if we had in the bylaw some tools to deal with aggressive panhandling as opposed to panhandling in general."

Henderson said it's important to emphasize that this bylaw aims to deal with those who compromise the safety of others, not those who ask politely and take no action when refused.

An ideal long-term approach, however, would be to continue to work around the city's 10-year strategy to end homelessness, he said.

Coun. Linda Sloan agreed, adding the initiatives of the homeless committee will enable more people to get off the streets.

"I think it has to take a broader approach than just legal enforcement," Sloan said.

"Although I'm not 100% convinced that we need to make this a bylaw issue. I've had a few encounters with panhandlers, but I really can't think of one that was aggressive.

"I think that some of this is a bit of overkill."

CLARA.HO@SUNMEDIA.CA