Salmon Arm’s street solicitation bylaw, addressing panhandling in the downtown, goes to public hearing this evening in council chambers.
The public hearing for the bylaw takes place at 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 13.
Related: Letter: Panhandlers needs help, not fines
If approved, the Street Solicitation and Prevention Bylaw No. 427 would limit solicitation on a street to within 15 metres of the entrance to a bank, credit union or trust company, an ATM, a bus stop or shelter, a restaurant with outdoor seating or the entrance to a theatre or art gallery. No person would be permitted to solicit from an occupant of a motor vehicle that is parked, stopped at a traffic control signal or stopped temporarily for the purpose of loading or unloading.
Related: Salmon Arm police hit the street with foot patrols
The bylaw also prohibits solicitation while seated or lying on a street, solicitation from sunset to sunrise and from a public bench or within a public plaza.
Every person who commits an offence is liable to a fine and penalty of not more than $2,000 and not less than $50.
A city staff report notes council directed staff to draft a solicitation bylaw after several merchants expressed concerns about “increased soliciting and nuisance activities in front of their business.”
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