New initiatives in Winnipeg will tackle the issue of aggressive panhandling and urban poverty. Both measures are based on the idea that giving money to panhandlers and the homeless is an ineffective way to help them.
Downtown Winnipeg businesses will operate sidewalk kiosks to solicit donations for work-experience programs and other social services offered to the homeless or at-risk people by organizations such as The Salvation Army. The city will also introduce a phone number people can call if they feel threatened by an offensive panhandler.
How do you respond to panhandlers and the homeless?
Are the Winnipeg initiatives something other cities should consider?
