Windsor to move ahead with signs aimed at discouraging panhandling

CTV Windsor’s Travis Fortnum gives you a rundown of what happened this week in Windsor council.

Windsor is moving ahead with a plan to install signs at panhandling hotspots — part of a push councillors hope will improve safety at busy intersections.

The move came Monday through a motion from Ward 3 Coun. Renaldo Agostino, directing city staff to identify priority locations and report back on installing advisory signage discouraging drivers from handing out money directly.

Instead, the signs would point residents toward local charities and community supports.

The discussion stemmed from a broader report examining whether infrastructure changes — like fencing, planters, or modifying medians — could deter panhandling.

The conclusion: None of those options would solve the problem.

City staff reviewed multiple potential deterrents and found people would likely just relocate to another nearby intersection or sidewalk.

Windsor has 296 signalized intersections, including 80 with physical medians, meaning any physical changes would be widespread and still unlikely to eliminate the behaviour.

Signage was identified as a lower-risk alternative, though staff noted similar efforts in other cities have had limited success.

Police say panhandling happens daily, but rarely crosses the line

Windsor Police Acting Deputy Chief Kenneth Cribley, who was attending council for another matter, was asked to weigh in on enforcement.

“It’s not hard to see that it occurs daily at the intersections you’ve mentioned,” Cribley said.

“It is being addressed daily.”

He said most panhandling officers encounter does not violate the Safe Streets Act.

“What we see most of the time is a very passive form of panhandling… somebody just sort of sitting there or standing there,” he said.

“They’re not stepping up into traffic or tapping on car door windows and being aggressive in that way.”

Cribley said officers can intervene if behaviour becomes aggressive but acknowledged the limitations.

“If and when they’re asked to move along, it’s where do they move to,” he said.

“The second the police officer leaves, they return right back to the spot.”

He also told council there has been no data in the past two years showing collisions directly caused by panhandling.

The city’s report notes infrastructure changes would not provide police with any additional enforcement powers beyond existing provincial legislation.

Mayor says focus is on safety and support

Mayor Drew Dilkens said the intent is not to punish people, but to reduce risks while offering other ways to help.

“We just need to find a sensible way through this,” Dilkens said after the meeting.

“We’re providing a pathway for people who want to help them to do so without having to put their hand out the window.”

He said council is trying to balance compassion with public safety.

City staff are now expected to report back with recommended locations for the signage.