Following collision, OPP to increase education and enforcement of panhandling laws

After a homeless person was injured last week while panhandling, police in northern Ontario say they are better ways to help the vulnerable.

Following a weekend crash that injured a panhandler at a busy North Bay highway intersection, Ontario Provincial Police say they are again cracking down on roadside soliciting.

Police said a pedestrian suffered injuries Saturday morning when they were hit by a pickup truck.

The collision occurred at about 8:20 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 11 and Trout Lake Road. Police responded with the North Bay Fire and Emergency Services and paramedics.

The investigation revealed a person entered a live lane of traffic while vehicles had the right of way. The victim suffered a head injury before fleeing the scene.

An OPP canine unit found the injured person at a nearby restaurant. They were assessed by paramedics and taken to hospital for what police described as “non-life-threatening” injuries.

Safety concern

The incident, police said, highlights an ongoing public safety concern related to roadside panhandling.

“The Safer Streets initiative is ultimately about public safety,” said acting Sgt. Kyler Brouwer.

“We want to make sure that the motoring public is safe and that the pedestrians are also safe.”

The OPP will boost its education efforts through ‘Let’s Keep Our Streets Safe’ cards, which they plan to hand out, as well as tougher enforcement.

Though done with the best intentions, police prefer drivers donate to local organizations that work with the vulnerable rather than to people panhandling at busy intersections.

Stopping to give money while driving can cause distractions for both the motorist and the pedestrian.

“There will be an increased presence and we’re also looking at other options like increased signage,” Brouwer added.

“We’re going to work with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. Hopefully, we can get some signs up there to increase that message, that we want people to be generous, but we don’t want it to be through roadside solicitation.”

Under Ontario’s Safe Streets Act, roadside panhandling is illegal and comes with a fine and an arrest.

Brouwer suggests people donate instead to the low-barrier shelter on Chippewa Street or the Four Elms Emergency Shelter on Cassells Street instead.