Panhandlers skeptical of crackdown in Charlottetown

Some panhandlers in downtown Charlottetown are skeptical of the city's plan to crack down on them, saying new rules won't keep them off the street.

At Monday night's council meeting, some councillorsexpressed concerns aboutan increase inpanhandlingand said they've received numerous complaints from residents and tourists.

Thecurrent nuisance bylaw doesn't have many rules around thepanhandling, something the city plans to change.

The new rules would likely focus on preventing aggressive panhandling, and keepingpanhandlers away from bus stops and ATMs.

• Charlottetown councillors want to crack down on panhandling

StacyCoughlin, who wasasking passersbyfor spare change near the TD Bank downtown said he picked his spot because of its proximity to an ATM.

"Ineed to be close by a bank or somewhere where people come in and out only way I can make money," he said.

"I wouldn't care if they crack down, I'll still be doing it.It's the only way I can make a living."

Further down the street, a panhandler who goes by "Hobo Joe" said a crackdown on aggressive panhandling makes sense to him, but the new ruleswon'tget him off the streets.

"The aggressive panhandlers, I can see cutting them out, the ones that walk up to you and get in your face," he said. "The quiet ones that just sit, don't bother them. Let them live."

"They really can't stop a guy from trying to survive," he said. "If you're going to stop it, help us out. Find a way to help us out. There areresources out there. "

Without a placeto live and a permanent address, he said he can't get on social assistance to get a job.

"Give me what I need to start out, and from there, I'll go out and look for work. Shouldn't take me long to clean up, dress up nice, and go to Tim Hortons, McDonalds, wherever, and apply for work," he said.

Council said it is also looking at ways to help those in need, but didn't give specifics of what that would look like.