Panhandling 'societal issue': Mullan
November 18, 2009
Daniel Nolan
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/674724
Police Chief Brian Mullan has warned that his department does not have the power to resolve complaints about panhandling and loitering in the downtown core.
Local politicians and the Downtown Business Improvement Area are calling for a cleanup of the downtown prior to the 2015 Pan Am Games, particularly targeting the problem of panhandlers.
They have been joined by Tourism Hamilton, which sent a letter to the Hamilton Police Services Board complaining about the "troublesome" panhandling problem and asking police about its plans to correct the perception "the downtown is unsafe."
Mullan, who is in his last weeks as Hamilton's chief before he retires, told the police board Monday the department has done much in the last four years to combat crime downtown, including installing surveillance cameras and bringing in horse patrols. He warned, however, loitering and panhandling are different.
"That speaks to societal issues that are more out of our control," Mullan said.
Mayor Fred Eisenberger conceded that police may not have an answer to dealing with panhandling, and acknowledged this is a "rights issue." However, he said it is the top complaint he hears about in the downtown and people "are frustrated by it." He has asked for a report on what more police can do, but said control efforts might also have to involve the city.
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