Street patrols in Saskatoon spy troubling panhandling

The Community Support Officers who patrol downtown and other shopping areas in Saskatoon believe they have detected a trend thats leaving some feeling intimidated.

This often created intimidation- CSP report

The patrols work with the public and business owners to keep the streets safe.

Today, in a report to the Street Activity Steering Committee at city hall, support workers will outline what they are calling a trend involving panhandlers that developed over the summer.

According to the report, small groups of panhandlers have been working together. One member of the group will break away to ask a passerby for money, while the others watch on.The report suggested that this often created intimidation for the individual(s) being approached.

Patrols approached these teams of panhandlers, and they quickly stopped what they were doing. Still, theres a suggestion this is a growing trend that occurred throughout the summer.

The report also raises a concern that more panhandlers are approaching drivers in traffic asking for money.

Both concerns are being monitored by the Community Support Program, and theyve also asked the police and business owners to call if they are witnessing intimidating behaviour.Theyve also asked city police for advice.