Yeah, I know there’s a recent Bitch about panhandlers, but it’s such a major issue that continues to worsen I think it’s warranted.
Giving panhandlers money just encourages the practice further, which leads to the continued harassment of pedestrians, motorists, and businesses. Clearly trying to penalize these people has had no impact, so why not start handing out fines to people who give panhandlers money?
Make it a bylaw with something like a $50 fine. As the odd person is fined in this way, word of mouth will spread and (hopefully) less people will continue to fund this shit. Honestly, just do SOMETHING. It’s unreal how much worse it is here than every other major Canadian city I’ve visited.
—Poohandler
This article appears in May 30 – Jun 5, 2019.
You obviously haven’t lived in any other major Canadian city. I don’t want to be rude but this is what bothers you? People giving their own money (it is theirs to give) to people who are down on their luck?? Of all the injustices in the world to get upset about, you choose charity?? How about we fine people who have no empathy or obviously anything of value going on? You now owe someone who hasn’t had the same luck/privilege/support that you have $50.00. Please go pay them. I’m not going to suggest you do this but when I started worrying about myself and my actions and stopped worrying about what other people do with their time and money I became a whole lot happier.
Reminds me of the professional Barrington Street bum, Mikey, who, back in the early 2000s, would give you the finger behind your back when you didn’t donate to his raging booze habit.