Kindness meters OK'd

Photo: City of Vernon.

Vernon city council has given the nod to a plan to rein in panhandling in parts of the city.

“It's a start,” said Coun. Scott Anderson. “I hope it will work so (panhandling) is no longer impacting the economic life of this city.”

While Coun. Brian Quiring questioned the need for the installation of brightly-coloured kindness meters that would allow members of the public to give to homeless charities rather than to beggars, Anderson countered saying they could help.

Coun. Juliette Cunningham agreed.

“I've witnessed people feeling compelled to give money (to panhandlers). (The meters) give people an option.”

Cunningham called it a “humanistic approach to dealing with the problem.”

Vernon Mayor Akbal Mund said panhandling was “not as big of a problem as it has been made out to be.”

However Mund said the city was constricted by law in what could be done as panhandling is not illegal.

“If we don't move forward then we don't know if it will work.”

Vernon city council is being asked to approve strategies and tactics to handle the panhandling issue in the downtown.

A staff report says there is a “skewed perspective” among members of the public over the number of aggressive panhandling incidents in the downtown which is affecting businesses.

Nevertheless, staff are proposing a public awareness campaign that would consist of signs, kindness meters, more senior's education and a brochure for businesses.

If approved, the “activate change” signs would urge people to give to charities, rather than beggars.

A number of colourful, possibly orange, “kindness” meters would be placed around town.

“These decorated and identifiable meters allow citizens to have an opportunity to donate their spare change to a group of charitable agencies serving the disadvantaged or homeless rather than giving directly to a panhandler,” states the report.

Panhandling is not illegal, but aggressive panhandling or panhandling from a median are both illegal and unsafe, the report says.

Staff proposes adding how to handle panhandlers to the fraud, cons and scams outreach program for older adults.

As well, they say a brochure could be developed for businesses informing them of provincial safe streets and trespass acts and the city's good neighbour bylaw and letting them know what may be legally done to address issues caused by nuisances such as begging, skateboarding and smoking outside of their premises.

The cost of the plan is estimated at $9,500.