Niagara Falls wants drivers to give to charities that help people
An appeal from the City of Niagara Falls that motorists do not give money to panhandlers holding signs on street corners.
Mayor Jim Diodati says there have been too many people walking in traffic taking money, leading to potential problems.
He says the city has put up "Say no to panhandling" signs at some intersections. "I've just had a lot of complaints, people saying someone is going to get killed. There's been many near accidents and rear endings, because a car stops all of a sudden since someone is in front of them, and the car behind hits them."
He adds the courts recently made changes to the Safe Cities Act.
Former Premier Mike Harris introduced that when there were complaints of young people using squeegees to clean vehicle windows when stopped at intersections. "But one of the ones they did leave in there [the legislation] is you are not allowed to walk in traffic and panhandle. That is still against the law, even with the judges weighing in, and we can see why. Yes, some of these people need help, but that's not how you get help."
The mayor says the way to help is making donations to charities that provide food, shelter and counciling.
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