The mayor says they've been talking to the NRP about ways to discourage this
Expect to see some barriers installed on traffic islands at Morrison and Dorchester Roads in Niagara Falls this fall, in dealing with panhandling.
Mayor Jim Diodati says the city has been talking with the NRP on ways to deal with this.
He says some are professional panhandlers, and they're breaking the law. "And they're playing the role, and it's really unfortunate, because it hurts the people who are hurting, they're out there as a business. It's not illegal to panhandle, but it is illegal to do it out in the middle of traffic, and that's what we're trying to address."
He adds other jurisdictions have seen the panhandling signs and asked how well they've worked.
Councillor Mona Patel revealed what tourists said to her at a recent event. "On Oaks Garden Theatre... and people did bring that concern. They're wondering what's happening with Niagara Falls, we are seeing panhandlers everywhere, and these were Americans. They are wondering if the Canadian economy is so bad that people are panhandling."
Right now there are signs discouraging panhandling at Morrison and Dorchester.
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