Panhandling fines mount but questions surround payments

Fredericton police have issued more than 100 tickets to panhandlers over the last 22 months, but it isn't known how many of those have been paid.

A Rightto Information request filed by CBC New Brunswick show that police have issued 98 prosecution tickets and seven warning tickets to panhandlersbegging orloitering in the city.

The minimum amount of each fine is $140.

StaffSgt. Kim Quartermainofthe Fredericton Police Department was asked if fining those who are begging for coins was the best method in combating panhandling.

"We are here to serve and protect the public,"said Quartermain.

"Whetherit's from someone panhandlingdowntown. That can be very disturbing for people. Itcan cause issues with the downtown community and theirlivelihood."

Quartermain said the ticketing of panhandlers needs to be one of many forms of combating panhandling in the city.

"Enforcement from a police organization is only one multi-faceted approach," said Quartermain.

"We need community members, community groups and projects."

Different approachneeded

Warren Maddox, theexecutive director for the Fredericton Homeless Shelters, said there needs to be other approachesto the issuebut says he doesn'texpect panhandlerspay fines.

"Nope, not at all," said Maddox.

"I think that some people try, but they just do not have the money. It's be like getting blood from a stone."

Maddoxsaidhe understands the need to have a tool, such asticketing, to deal with aggressive panhandlers, but those are a minority.

"It does work if you need a way to keep a person who is being anuisanceand making people uncomfortable," said Maddox. "But they are rare."

Marc James, a Fredericton panhandler,says the system is unfair to those who have the least.

"Man, it'sridiculous," said James.

"How do they expect people to pay that? We're panhandling, we live on the streets, we can't afford it and they throw us in jail."

James says he's spent several days in jail for unpaid tickets for panhandling.

Quartermain said she could not answer if the majority of the98 tickets for$140eachwent unpaid.

"I can't really speak to that," said Quartermain.

"Our payment processing takes place at City Hall, so I can't speak to that myself."

An unpaid ticket for begging or loitering increases incrementally before a court date is issued to the person not paying the fine.