Concerns About Aggressive Panhandling in Quesnel
Quesnel, B.C. – Aggressive panhandling has become an issue of concern in Quesnel.
“We’ve had some reports as well as community concern raised with regards to the issue, primarily in the downtown core,” says Quesnel RCMP Constable Krista Vrolyk.
In response to that she says police have have decided to raise public awareness with regards to the provisions of the Safe Streets Act.
She says the following actions qualify as offences under the act:
– soliciting in a manner that would cause a reasonable person to be concerned for their safety or security, including threatening with physical harm, by word, gesture or other means
– obstructing the path of the solicited person
– using abusive language;
– proceeding behind or alongside or ahead of the solicited person
– physically approaching, as a member of a group of 2 or more persons, the solicited person
– continuing to solicit the person
– soliciting within 5 metres of an automated teller
– soliciting someone who is using or waiting to use a pay phone
– soliciting at a bus stop, or anyone who is getting on or off a bus
– soliciting a person who is getting in or out of a vehicle, or is in a parking lot
– soliciting the occupants of a stopped or parked vehicle on a roadway
In addition, attempting or threatening, by an act or gesture, to apply force to another person, or openly carrying or wearing a weapon or an imitation of a weapon while asking for money, or threatening to injure or kill a person, a pet, or damage property are all offences under the Criminal Code of Canada.
Vrolyk says the issue has been present “for several years” but has been flagged as a “recent community concern.”
She says police have received a lot of that information anectodally and through social media but stresses in order for police to act they need these cases reported.
“It’s nice to vent but unless we have the information to take action there’s not a whole lot we can do.”
Comments
‘Aggressive Panhandling’, aka attempted robbery, attempted extortion, or mugging.
There’s a ton of “aggressive panhandling” in the Parkwood parking lot. The local, booze in a paper bag types hang at the bus station, and then cruise over to save on…..
hardcandy you aren’t kidding… I was approached yesterday in the Save-on parking lot at Parkwood and had barely got one foot out of my vehicle when someone approached me for taxi money… if you don’t have money for taxi then WALK and walk away quick I say.
They have a guard there but with a hundred hobos around what can 1 guard do and the city has a serious problem when we need guards outside grocery stores…wait until the BIG GAMES are here and see what they think… ask their opinions of the city and I won’t be surprised if none come back…this is only my opinion.
Safe Streets Act; Soliciting in a manner that would cause a reasonable person to be concerned for their SAFETY or Security. This could also apply to street workers, neighbours get the JOHNS plate no. as you can’t buy sex its not legal.
I’ve stopped shopping at the Parkwood Save-on because of “aggressive pan-handling”. I just don’t feel comfortable there after several incidences. It’s too bad, it’s a nice store. I also don’t go downtown as much as I would like to for the same reason. I don’t need to be hassled every time I step out of my vehicle.
I must go at the wrong times to Parkwood because I’ve been asked once for change and the person told me to eff off when I said no. Needless to say I STILL shop around Parkwood, not going to let homeless or panhandler people ruin my day. It’s not as bad as some say it is.
I’ve had it happen a few times while trying to go to London Drugs, they approach my vehicle before it’s even turned off and wait for me. I just drive away, as a single female it can be intimidating. There’s nothing I need that bad to put up with it – I just come back another time.
I shop at Parkwood Save On and London Drugs frequently, and I have been approached twice in the last year.
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