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Aggressive Saskatoon panhandlers giving bad reputation to peaceful ones

Mar 22, 2015 | 4:21 PM

‘Peter’ stands near the corner of 21nd Street East and 2nd Avenue; his upside down baseball cap and sign a clear indication of his intentions. For the past few weeks he’s had to panhandle in the city’s core to afford a basic living. 

He said illness put him in the hospital and he lost his disability insurance. While he waits for the appeal, every cost comes out of his pocket and no paycheck is replenishing the funds.

He knows he needs at least $45 a day to have enough for food, shelter and medication payments. 

Peter is one of several panhandlers who line the busy stretch of sidewalk outside Midtown Plaza Mall in downtown Saskatoon, and their numbers are growing. 

Following fears of safety from downtown businesses, local Business Improvement District leaders have called for stricter bylaws to crack down on aggressive panhandling. Their suggested rules would make it illegal to ask for money outside movie theaters and artistic venues, at parking pay stations or in groups.

Panhandling is legal in Saskatoon but people who harass or follow pedestrians or ask for money outside automatic tellers and Banks can be fined.

However, Peter said harassment is common. He said he frequently sees panhandlers follow people into stores and banks, and people get asked for money at parking pay stations.

“There’s a lot of these people that are going up and as they’re paying, (panhandlers) are in their face and telling them ‘give me money’ and that’s not right,” he said, adding he’s also been harassed and threatened by fellow panhandlers. “I can understand why the people of the businesses are getting pissed off.”

A father and son walk by Peter on the street.

“Spare any change to help me out please,” Peter asks, but the man declines. Peter thanks the man and doesn’t press the issue. “And that’s the way it should be done. You say please and thank you (and) be polite.”

The man returns, searching for a parking pay station, and Peter points it out to him. He said he’s helped a lot of people with the new machines and is appreciative, but doesn’t expect anything in return. The man gives him a couple coins and Peter thanks him.

Forty two dollars left to raise, Peter said.

Homeless or near-homeless residents have several options available in Saskatoon if they do not have the means to pay for basic necessities. The Lighthouse Supported Living, Saskatoon Indian and Métis Friendship Centre, Salvation Army, Mumford House (for women and children) and others provide food and shelter to the city’s most vulnerable. 

Last week the federal government promised $450,000 for new homelessness services in Saskatoon as part of its Housing First plan. 

Though he sympathizes with the fears of pedestrians and businesses, Peter worries the aggressive panhandlers are giving the peaceful ones a bad reputation. 

“I have gone everywhere for help, even churches. Because these people go to the churches and harass them too, they won’t help somebody that actually needs help today, which is sad,” he said as he receives another few coins.

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