B.C. government cracks down on street people (CBC Vancouver)
B.C. government cracks down on street people
VICTORIA - The B.C. government has introduced its controversial legislation that would ban squeegee kids and aggressive panhandlers from city streets.
Attorney General Geoff Plant introduced the Safe Streets Act in the legislature on Thursday afternoon.
The new law will prohibit aggressive panhandling – soliciting in a way that would cause a person to fear for their safety or security.
Panhandlers won't be allowed to block the sidewalk, to follow pedestrians down the street or to use abusive language.
They'll be prohibited from panhandling within five metres of a pay phone, public toilet, transit stop or automated bank machine.
The bill also takes clear aim at squeegee kids. No one will be allowed to solicit motorists stopped at an intersection or in a parking lot.
Plant says the bill will not stop people from asking for spare change.
But he says people should have the right to go about their daily business without facing aggressive panhandlers.
Plant says this is part of a broader strategy that includes measures to house the homeless and address the problems of mental illnessand addiction.
"Certainly we've heard overwhelmingly from mayors and cities and community groups across the province that they want this additional tool, and I think this legislation will do that."
The legislation began as a private member's bill put forward by Liberal backbencher Lorne Mayencourt, who represents Vancouver-Burrard – which includes Vancouver's downtown core and the West End.
The NDP is dismissing the new law as unenforceable – and even silly. MLA Jenny Kwan points to a section that says it will be illegal to walk on a roadway if that roadway has a sidewalk.
She's also critical of the fact the bill contains no penalties.
NDP leader Carole James accuses Plant of trying to score political points with the bill, calling it a cynical pre-election move.
Plant says he expects violators will be ticketed, but the government still has to decide how stiff the penalties will be.
The attorney general has also introduced amendments to the Trespass Act. They'll prohibit someone from remaining on private property after they've been asked to leave.
It will also allow property owners to ban skateboarding on their premises.
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Study pans the Ontario Safe Streets Act (CBC Vancouver)
Study pans the Ontario Safe Streets Act
WebPosted Oct 7 2004 01:36 PM PDT
CBC VANCOUVER
CBC VANCOUVER - A report done in Ontario shows that province's Safe Streets Act – similar to a law pending in B.C. – has resulted in tougher times for former panhandlers and squeegee kids in Toronto.
The study, by Guelph University professor Bill O'Grady, shows that the legislation has almost eliminated squeegee activity from the streets of downtown Toronto.
LINK: O'Grady's study of the effects of the Ontario Safe Streets Act
He says the law, which took effect more than four years ago, cost the young people money that usually went to pay for housing.
"So their housing became worse, and there was also more of them living on the streets, either in squats, bus shelters, ravines, you know, living out in the open," he says.
O'Grady says that resulted in some turning to crime – and many more turning to begging.
He does say the legislation was successful at doing one thing – making poverty far less visible.
"It's a very short-term solution. Many of the kids that we spoke with, or people that are homeless in general, say as far as politicians are concerned, and much of the public, if it's out of sight, it's out of mind."
Meanwhile, B.C. Attorney General Geoff Plant introduced B.C.'s Safe Streets Act in Victoria on Thursday.
CBC VANCOUVER
Ageep
Your site is excellent
Good!
Good I'm tired of pushy people demanding money from me like I owe them something. Yesterday I was told I was a bitch because I walked past two pan handlers together and didn't give money like they have some right to my money. I'm not suprised they get told off there a pain in the ass.