Bylaw targeting ‘aggressive’ panhandling passes in Maple Ridge

MAPLE RIDGE (NEWS 1130) – City councillors in Maple Ridge have moved forward with a controversial new bylaw that makes it harder for people to panhandle in the city.

The Safer Streets Bylaw, passed on Tuesday night, bans “aggressive” panhandlers from coming within 10 metres of banks, ATMs, bus stops and liquor stores, a move one councillor says is intended to crack down on aggressive individuals and help address safety concerns.

Panhandlers will no longer be able to ask for money from somebody in a car, or after dark.

Mayor Mike Morden spoke in favor of the change, insisting the move will help improve public safety.

“This is about providing the public safe passage to our streets and into our businesses,” he said. “This is about keeping the public safe.”

However, Councillor Kiersten Duncan disagreed, saying the move would only portray panhandlers in a poor light, adding she was worried about the “criminalization of panhandling.”

“I have some serious concerns about this. I strongly feel that we are regulating the way that people are living in poverty, rather than putting money and resources into social services. I think this is going about it the wrong way,” she said. “Regulating people in poverty is not going to help the situation. The best thing we can do is talk to local service organizations that help people who are homeless and in poverty and ask what programs we can create and fund. There must be better ways to go about this.”

Councillor Judy Dueck said the bylaw would not affect all panhandling in the city, only the “aggressive” individuals who approach others for money.

“What we are suggesting with this bylaw is that the aggressive nature of it, interfering with people when they are going to an ATM or to daycare, is not acceptable,” she said. “We found a compromise with this bylaw. We are respecting the rights of individuals to express themselves and solicit for money. However, we are putting some limitations to that support in order to respect the rights of our citizens to safety and security. It’s something we on council hear on a continuous basis from residents and businesses.”

Some members of the community have said the public was not given the chance to weigh in on the bylaw ahead of Tuesday’s vote. Duncan was the only member of council to vote against the bylaw.

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